Atlantic Ave Magazine July 2023

on my life with my husband, and our journey together. I got very
used to the cameras, especially once I got to know the crew. Getting
along with the people behind-the-scenes is important... you
are opening up and sharing so much, it’s nice to make that connection.
However, I don’t think my husband ever got too comfortable in
front of the camera, and was a bit more reserved than me.”
Paola publicly shared her heartbreak of losing a pregnancy, and
overcoming that pain.
“Going through that experience, I did not know it was too common
because not everybody communicates freely about it. When
something like this happens - you lose dreams, hopes, and everything
you think the future will look like after having a baby. For me
being able to show it on television... there were so many women
that reached out to me and expressed they dealt with the same difficulty,
that I definitely don’t regret recording it. It wasn’t easy, and
took time to heal.”
Paola and her husband Russ persevered, and now share a fouryear-old
son named Axel, to whom they are tremendously devoted
parents. His birth was captured on Season 4 of the spin-off show, 90
Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?
“As far as having more children, I am obsessed with the idea of
adopting. We are in a really good position right now, but it’s a process
we need to research and be very informed about. I’m not saying
I won’t have another kid on my own, but I’m focused on my
career at the moment, which requires me to be very physical.”
In 2021 Russ and Paola temporarily split, while attending counseling
to try and strengthen their marriage.
“My husband and I made the decision to live in an RV, and the
idea was to travel - although that didn’t happen too much. So, we
were stuck in a small space and always on top of each other. We
decided to take some time apart to fix our relationship and find solutions
to the issues. We are back together and recently got a fresh
start in Orlando, and are enjoying it a lot.”
A notable spark of contention on 90 Day Fiancé, was Paola’s
friend Juan, who was shown often at odds with Russ.
“Juan and I stopped talking. I really thought he was someone who
was always just joking, but all of those jokes had become hurtful.
Sometimes the people you think are your friends don’t have the
best intentions for you. I did recently talk to him though, because
I have learned not to hold grudges. We are all human and deserve
second chances, although once broken - it might not be the same
relationship you had before.”
Paola and Russ appeared on 90 Day: Foody Call, the latest spin-off
from the popular franchise, streaming on Discovery Plus. The couples
invite viewers into their kitchens as they prepare meals from
their home countries, all while answering questions from their fanbase.
Paola created a vegan dish and she spoke about what led her
to embrace that lifestyle.
“I have been in the United States now for about ten years. After
two or three years of my husband attempting to make me try what
I considered to be exotic foods, I didn’t want to be guessing anymore
what kind of meat I was eating. So I started changing my diet,
and became vegetarian when I was living in Oklahoma City. I then
changed to pescatarian because I love shrimp ceviche and missed
it, but soon after decided to go the whole way and became vegan.
I am highly against animal cruelty, and will not wear any animal
products either.”
The switch to veganism jump-started a new enthusiasm for her wellbeing,
which has branched off and spurred new professional endeavors.
“When I moved here I gained quite a bit of weight. I was in
a world where I didn’t have friends, didn’t have much to do, and
couldn’t get a job... so I had time to put myself into a new diet routine,
and learned how to stay healthy. At the beginning, I was not
able to run for five seconds, and now I just ran five miles in less than
an hour. My husband saw all the changes, and suggested I become
a personal trainer. After we moved to Miami, I got my fitness coaching
license and started taking clients one-on-one, and then online
because I really love it and can actually help others.”
Recently, Mayfield took that passion for fitness and reinvented
herself as “Paola Blaze,” pro-wrestler, winning the Atomic Revolutionary
Wrestling Championship shortly after her debut.
“I saw the movie Fighting with My Family, which is about a girl
I admire a lot, Paige (two-time WWE Divas Champion), and was
able to really see what wrestling was about. I thought maybe it was
something for me to try, because I knew I had the energy, motivation,
athleticism, and I’m not afraid to take a hit - so I felt like... bring
it on. I began training with JB Cool in Miami before the pandemic
and worked extremely hard. It has been two years since I became
a wrestler, and know I have what it takes to go all the way. I started
out as “Paola Blaze,” which sounds very cool, but I want to be
known just as “Paola” now - and until I accomplish all the goals set
for myself in this new adventure, I don’t want to be done.”
Mayfield conveyed a desire to develop her own line of wrestling
gear in the near future.
“The person I asked to make my outfits was taking too long, so I
took it into my own hands. I have experience in fashion as a shoe designer,
and knew that I could dress myself in exactly what I wanted.”
Fans will soon have another chance to watch Paola compete on,
The GOAT, scheduled to premiere on Amazon Freevee in late 2023.
The Daniel Tosh hosted series involves reality television legends
from various networks, and is sure to be filled with drama.
“We filmed in a mansion in Atlanta, Georgia. I am so happy to
have met all the amazing participants that made up the cast - including
people from Survivor, Vanderpump Rules, and Shahs of Sunset.
It involves physical and mental challenges, and has a big prize
at the end... I cannot wait for everyone to see it.”
Recently Paola amassed over one million followers on Instagram,
where she invites the public into an intimate display of her everyday
activities. While this milestone shows how far she has come,
celebrities - especially those on unscripted shows - take the brunt
of negativity when it comes to comments online.
“Sometimes I want to stay away from social media, because people
make comments about things I’m not going to change - like the
way I dress or what I wear to the pool, and it gets exhausting. It’s
not too intense right now because I’m not showing my life on TV
like I used to. This may go back again when the next show airs.”
Paola looks forward to launching a new fitness app at some point
this year, and says her evolution is far from over.
“I’m not getting any younger, so I will keep going as long as I can.
I am always working on myself, because you can always change and
get better... but you can’t please everyone.”
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