In addition to juggling family and work as a police officer, Cameron Keep revels in pulling double-duty as a professional wrestler.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"I'm not making any money doing it," he said of wrestling.
"It's something that keeps me sane; I enjoy it immensely, and it's a passion of mine."
The 36-year-old Helensburgh resident wrestles under the name Johnny Starr.
Although a predetermined, choreographed form of entertainment, performers often don't receive recognition for their athleticism, endurance and the physical toll it can take on them.
Therefore, it can result in some post-match aches and pains during Keep's lengthy work shifts.
"In the morning it can hurt, (especially) if you've had a late night setting up the ring and having the match as well," Keep said.
"It is painful sometimes, so when I have to work the next day it's a little sore on the knees or the joints. But normally I'm pretty lucky and have the day off the day after, so I can recover a little."
Keep became an avid wrestling fan aged six.
"My brothers were watching it on television, and I walked in to see what they were watching.
"It was just the colours, the performing, the moves. I got hooked on the athleticism and the moves they were doing.
"I've always been into combat sports, but this had a different aura about it. You had an audience, you had these amazing characters and colours, doing all this cool fighting stuff."
Keep started wrestling when he was 16, although took an extensive break due to injury before returning to the ring in recent times.
He now wrestles once or twice a month in the Illawarra and Sydney.
"You can escape the pressures of your everyday life, of work and things like that, be someone different and make someone happy," Keep said.
"There's a camaraderie, and the people you meet are really good."
He name-checked World Wrestling Entertainment legend Shawn Michaels as his greatest inspiration, and also enjoys modern day stars such as AJ Styles, Adam Cole and Velveteen Dream.
Keep will be a featured performer when Illawarra-based promotion All-Star Wrestling Australia hosts the 'Rise Of The Warriors' tournament in Wollongong.
The tournament was launched in 2007 in Brisbane. It has since been hosted by other promotions in Melbourne and Sydney, and this year will take place on August 3 at the Illawarra Leagues Club.
All-Star owner Mitch Christen said the tournament will feature All-Star Wrestling performers, plus a mystery international guest.
Doors at 6pm for a 6.30pm start. Tickets: www.allstarwrestlingaustralia.com.au.
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
