In Focus | Marty Solotki

Meet Marty, he just celebrated a decade of living in Kelowna. Marty is the bouncer at Fernado's Pub and owns Big West Wrestling in Kelowna.

Who is your favourite person to spend time with and why?
My two daughters. My youngest is 10 and we are inseparable; my oldest is 14 and she amazes me sometimes with her insight and dry wit.

What is your favourite local store in Kelowna and why?
Tommy Guns on Banks. Harley has finally gotten control of my unruly hair and beard.

If you could go anywhere in the world right at this moment where would you go and why?
Mexico. I’ve never had the time to go but have always wanted to.

What is your favourite activity in Kelowna?
The monthly Big West Wrestling events at Lake City Bowling.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
A few weeks ago I was trying to escort someone out of Fernando’s Pub and I tripped over a chair leg. It’s really hard to look in control of a situation when you loudly cry out as you fall flailing to the floor.

Tell us your favourite childhood memory.
When I was only four or five years old, my mother had to take me with her to Victoria while job hunting. It was a long day on the greyhound from Duncan, and we pounded the pavement all day. I’m sure I was an annoying brat all day, but I only remember having a wonderful big city adventure with my mom.

Where do you volunteer or give back to in the community?
I work with Invasion Championship Wrestling as both a wrestler and the head of ring crew. They’ve donated over $100,000 to charity over the past several years: specifically to Mamas For Mamas and the Okanagan Boys & Girls Club.

If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
People’s willful ignorance. We have computers in our hand all day and spend our time spreading lies that could be fact-checked in seconds. We’ve become collectively disinterested in the truth to our detriment as a society.

Where would you like to see positive change in Kelowna and why?
Our housing situation is scary right now. Because of our growing homeless population and our increasing “working poor” population. We seem to be building a lot of fancy condos to attract rich people from out of town, but we don’t seem too concerned with those that have been struggling to live here for years.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
It’s beautiful. The other day my oldest tried to tell me there were 30 cities in Canada that were prettier than Kelowna to live in and we actually got into a really heated debate about how wrong I thought (and knew) she was.

How do people connect with you, personally, through social media? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.)
“Mad Dog Marty Sugar” on Facebook, @martysugar on Twitter and bigwestwrestling.com.

What is the name of your business/organization?
Big West Wrestling

Why did you get into/start this business?
I’ve been a wrestling fan since I was three. When I had a chance to train to be a pro wrestler in 2002, despite being “too old” at 27, I knew I had to try or I would regret it.

What is the goal of your business?
To showcase the relatively hidden current wrestling talent in the Okanagan, while grooming a whole new generation of future stars.

What has been your biggest struggle either at work or in life?
There’s a rapidly-growing disconnect with younger people as I move through my 40s. I just cannot understand where their heads are at most of the time.

If you could start all over again would you do things the same or would things be different?
I would do a lot the same but I would’ve protected my head (and heart) a lot more than I did.

What do you always find yourself saying?
To my daughters: “Hurry up, we are going to be late for school!”
To my wrestlers: “Where did my tools go?”
To the patrons at Fernando’s Pub: “Do I look like I’m joking right now?”

Tell us your best piece of life advice.
Nobody owes you anything.

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
Daniel Bryan. He suffered several severe concussions that prematurely ended his Wrestling career but he persevered and dedicated the last several years to his mental, physical and emotional health, and looks happier and better than ever.

Why do you think it is important to shop locally?
We are in this together, especially when living in Kelowna can be wonderful but difficult: often at the same time. We have to have each other’s backs.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Being a dad. My daughters inspire me every day.

Give someone you think that deserves it a shout out and explain why!
Jarrod Stocker. He does great things at the Boys & Girls Club and is a great guy to sit and have breakfast with.

My choice for the KelownaNow In Focus spotlight is:
Eric Wokaniuk. He’s a photographer from West Kelowna who takes great photos of Wrestling, MMA...and his dog, Larry.

Some general comments I would like to share are:
The minute I moved to Kelowna I knew I was home. I was an island boy, born and raised. My last stop there was in Nanaimo and at one point it rained for 30 days straight. I lived a five-minute walk from work and I was late every day because I never wanted to step outside into another damp, grey day. Every time I visit Vancouver Island, I swear it only rains exactly where I am standing, just to remind me where home is now.

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In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition of the people, businesses, and organizations that help make our city great. Thank you, Kelowna!