Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Mack Beggs

In 2017 and 2018, gifted wrestler Mack Beggs went undefeated in his weight class and won back-to-back state championships. That run garnered nationwide attention but not for reasons you may think. As a transgender athlete who identifies as a male, Mack was forced to compete in the girls’ division due to a ruling by the University Interscholastic League. His home state of Texas is one of nine that uses birth certificates to determine a student athlete’s gender.

His story of overcoming adversity is the subject of the new ESPN 30 for 30 documentary Mack Wrestles. Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Mack about using his platform to blaze a trail for equality and inclusion in sports.

PC: What was your initial thought when you were approached about being the center of this documentary?
Mack: I was super grateful and honored. I was like, “For real? You want to do this about me?”

PC: You’re very open in the documentary. Were there any nerves heading into filming?
Mack: Definitely. I’d say that I’m an introvert, but I’m also an extrovert at the same time. I’m always nervous when I do stuff like this. But when you know what you’re talking about, it makes it a lot easier to verbalize, especially when these conversations need to be had.

PC: You started wrestling at a pivotal time in your life. Can you tell us about discovering your passion for the sport and how it changed you?
Mack: It gave me an outlet to deal with everything that was going on in my life. It became a safe haven for me. My mind was always on wrestling and my studies. During lunch, I wasn’t hanging out with my friends. I was in the wrestling room. I was focused on being the best athlete that I could be and the best version of myself. I was getting ready to go to college and start the next chapter in my life. I’m always looking forward to the future.

PC: There was a lot of nationwide attention on you during your run to the two state championships. How were you able to silence all that noise?
Mack: I wanted to go out there and tell this story right. These policies affect every trans athlete. No one should go through what I went through. I’m glad I could take on this role and be a leader for the trans community and be a voice. What Texas did was wrong. I’ve had a lot of trans athletes reach out to me and say they don’t know how to do this. Some of them have supportive teams and coaches, and they’re still like, “How do I start this? How do I push past this barrier?” We have to stand together and break the status quo.

PC: Have you always known you wanted to use your platform to be a voice for this community?
Mack: Yeah! I’ve always known in some way that I wanted to be a platform for the trans community, especially for athletes. I want to go that direction with my life. I’m glad I have this platform to do that.

PC: What was the biggest takeaway for you being a part of this documentary? What have you been up to since?
Mack: I’ve just been focused on myself, getting stronger and promoting this short film. We really want to get it out there. This is a story that needs to be heard because it’s not just me going through all this. There are other kids who don’t have a voice. I want to be that voice for them. No kid should go through what I went through. They just want to live their lives how they want to and be who they are without all this outside noise.

To keep up with Mack, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Mack Wrestles premieres September 22 at 2/1c on ESPN and 4:30/3:30c on ABC.