We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Blaze Lowery. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Blaze below.
Hi Blaze, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
I discovered my purpose when I took a leap of faith. My high school wrestling career was tough—I was in a win-at-all-costs environment. While I had great coaches who I still talk to today, I struggled to find my place on the team, especially after my brother transferred to a rival school during my senior year.
When I visited the University of Indianapolis (UINDY), where my dad was working as a plumber while getting his master’s degree, I had lunch with the head coach, Jason Warthan. I told him I wasn’t sure if I wanted to wrestle in college, which I’m probably one of the few who’ve ever said that. I chose UINDY mainly because of the tuition discount I received through my dad’s job.
After starting at UINDY, I began to recognize a few familiar faces on campus, including Jack Eiteljorge and Dawson Combest. I didn’t know them well—Dawson and I had wrestled once at Disney Duals, and he beat me handily. I’d seen Jack at various tournaments, but we were never in the same weight class. Even though we weren’t close, we ended up hanging out since we were all freshmen looking for things to do.
A few weeks into the semester, I was feeling lost and had decided to transfer to IU the next semester. I wasn’t involved in many clubs and didn’t feel like I had a purpose on campus. Jack and Dawson encouraged me to come to one of the preseason wrestling practices, just to see how I felt. That practice changed everything for me.
I didn’t just rediscover my love for wrestling—I fell in love with the atmosphere in the wrestling room. It was all about figuring out your strengths, building on them, and having fun. This was a huge contrast to my high school experience, which felt more like boot camp. I’ve always had a bit of a rebellious streak in my wrestling style, preferring flashier moves, and Coach Warthan appreciated that about me. He used me as a secret weapon in the lineup, and I ended my freshman year with 11 pins, some in crucial duals.
While some might say I peaked in my freshman year, I’d disagree. My best friends, Jack and Dawson, were in the same weight classes as me, and when they finished their redshirt seasons, I found myself out of the lineup again. The pandemic hit, and we were stuck in a cramped college house, making goofy TikToks that started to gain traction. Social media became my new focus, and I eventually decided to forgo my senior wrestling season to build the UINDY Wrestling team’s social media presence.
As my graduate assistantship was coming to an end, I had a moment that really pushed me to the next level. One of my colleagues, Carson Henry, who I deeply respected, told me that I was better than just using an iPhone to record matches. This hit home when I was filming one of our guys, Derek Blubaugh, in the DII National Championship match. Inspired by Carson’s belief in me, I maxed out a credit card to buy a camera, determined to capture the moment with the quality it deserved.
That decision was a turning point. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to shoot at the Big Ten Championships, sit third row at the D1 Nationals, and shoot mat-side at the D2 Nationals. I’ve also had the privilege of creating content for our Olympic Heavyweight, Mason Parris. These experiences have solidified my place in the wrestling community, showing me that I made the right choice in pursuing this path.
Today, I’m one of the top videographers in the wrestling community. I work as the head of content for Resilite, the Mat Company, and run my own videography business, LOWD Media. My journey has been unconventional, but I’ve found my purpose within the wrestling community, and I owe them everything.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m Blaze Lowery, a passionate videographer and content creator with a deep connection to the wrestling community. My journey began somewhat unexpectedly—I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue wrestling in college, but a chance visit to the University of Indianapolis (UINDY) and a practice session there reignited my passion. However, it wasn’t just wrestling that drew me in; it was the supportive and creative environment in the wrestling room that allowed me to thrive.
Professionally, I’m the head of content for Resilite, a leading company that manufactures mats for combat sports and law enforcement training. My role there allows me to combine my love for wrestling with my skills in videography, creating content that not only promotes the brand but also captures the intensity and dedication of athletes.
In addition to my role at Resilite, I run my own media company, LOWD Media, where I specialize in sports videography and photography, particularly within the wrestling community. What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to tell stories that might otherwise go unnoticed—the grit, the behind-the-scenes moments, and the passion that drives athletes to succeed.
One of the most special aspects of my work is the access I’ve been able to achieve in the wrestling world. I’ve had the privilege of shooting mat-side at the D2 Nationals, sitting third row at the D1 Nationals, and creating content for our Olympic Heavyweight, Mason Parris. These experiences not only validate the hard work I’ve put in but also fuel my desire to keep pushing the boundaries of what I can achieve in sports media.
Looking ahead, I’m focused on expanding LOWD Media, offering more comprehensive media packages for athletes and teams, and continuing to work with elite wrestling programs. I’m also excited about the potential to collaborate with other brands and athletes to further elevate the quality and reach of my content.
Whether through Resilite or LOWD Media, my goal is to continue creating impactful, high-quality content that resonates with the wrestling community and beyond. My journey has been about finding my purpose and using my skills to make a difference, and I’m excited to see where this path will take me next.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Reflecting on my journey, the three most impactful qualities and skills that shaped my path are adaptability, a strong work ethic, and the ability to tell compelling stories through visual media. Here’s why these are crucial and how others can develop them:
1. Adaptability
Why It’s Important: The ability to adapt has been essential in my career, especially when I transitioned from a traditional wrestling role to a focus on videography and content creation. Whether it was adjusting to the rapidly changing landscape of social media or learning new skills like video editing and photography, being adaptable allowed me to seize opportunities and pivot when necessary.
Advice for Developing It: Embrace challenges and view them as opportunities for growth. Push yourself out of your comfort zone—whether it’s learning a new skill, taking on a different role, or working in a new environment. Stay curious and be willing to evolve with the demands of your industry.
2. Strong Work Ethic
Why It’s Important: In both wrestling and videography, a relentless work ethic has been key to my success. It’s what drove me to spend countless hours honing my craft, from capturing the perfect shot to editing videos late into the night. This commitment to hard work is what set me apart and helped me build a reputation in the wrestling community.
Advice for Developing It: Cultivate discipline and consistency in your daily routine. Set clear goals and break them down into manageable tasks. Don’t shy away from the grind—sometimes the difference between good and great is the extra effort you’re willing to put in when no one else is watching.
3. Storytelling Through Visual Media
Why It’s Important: The ability to tell a story through visuals has been at the heart of my career. It’s not just about capturing moments; it’s about conveying the emotion, intensity, and narrative behind those moments. This skill has allowed me to connect with audiences on a deeper level and bring the stories of athletes to life.
Advice for Developing It: Study the work of great storytellers, whether in film, photography, or literature, and analyze what makes their stories resonate. Practice constantly—whether it’s through photography, videography, or another medium, focus on how you can use visuals to communicate a message or evoke an emotion. Seek feedback and be open to refining your craft.
General Advice:
For anyone early in their journey, I’d suggest being patient with yourself and the process. Building skills and qualities like these takes time, and there will be setbacks along the way. But if you stay committed, keep learning, and adapt to new opportunities, you’ll find your path and succeed in whatever you pursue.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The number one challenge I’m currently facing is the delegation of responsibility, especially when it comes to hiring the right people. As my workload grows, particularly with the demands of editing, I’m realizing that I need to bring others on board to maintain the high standards I’ve set for my work. However, this has proven difficult because wrestling is such a niche sport. It’s challenging to find people who not only share the same level of passion but also have a deep understanding of the sport, which is crucial for documenting it effectively.
To overcome this challenge, I’m focusing on a few strategies:
Selective Recruitment: I’m being very deliberate in my hiring process, looking for individuals who not only have the technical skills but also a genuine interest in wrestling. I’m reaching out to my network within the wrestling community to find potential candidates who already have a strong connection to the sport.
Training and Mentorship: For those who may have the right skills but lack in-depth wrestling knowledge, I’m committed to providing training and mentorship. I’m sharing my insights and experiences to help them understand the nuances of the sport, ensuring they can capture the essence of wrestling in their work.
Gradual Delegation: Instead of offloading large responsibilities all at once, I’m starting with smaller tasks. This allows me to gauge how well a new hire handles specific aspects of the job while maintaining the quality of the content. It also gives them time to grow into their role and develop the expertise needed.
While it’s a work in progress, I’m confident that by taking these steps, I’ll be able to build a team that not only supports my business but also upholds the passion and quality that are central to what I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lowd.media <- unfortunately not built but I own the domain
- Instagram: @blazelowery & @lowd.media
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaze-lowery
Image Credits
Any photo portrait of myself was shot by Jacob Walton (@thewaltonphotography) except for at D2 Nationals with the headphones on, that was Carson Henry (@chenrycreative)
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
