logo
episode-header-image
May 2023
51m 56s

Lola the bare-knuckle drag queen

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Martial arts kept him out of jail, but drag artistry made him whole.

Diego Garijo was bullied for his femininity as a child, so as he grew up he toughened up his image. He was in trouble with the law, until he found his focus as a professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter. But when Diego’s career came to a brutal halt, creating a drag persona, Lola, gave him a new lease of life.

Presenter: Andrea Kennedy Producer: Louise Morris Sound design: Joel Cox Editor: Munazza Khan

Up next
Jul 6
My father and the curse of the golden egg
Serena Kutchinsky was 10 years old when her jeweller father Paul unveiled his masterpiece to the world: a giant, golden, diamond-encrusted egg. Paul had recently taken over the family business, the celebrated London jewellers House of Kutchinsky, and wanted to make his mark, comm ... Show More
40m 23s
Jun 29
I had a baby – then lost my memory, part 2
After an undiagnosed case of pre-eclampsia caused catastrophic brain damage and amnesia, Samina Ali returned home from hospital to begin a long recovery.At 29, she found herself relearning the basics of daily life – how to walk, speak and make sense of the world around her. She c ... Show More
39m 11s
Jun 22
I had a baby – then lost my memory, part 1
When Samina Ali gave birth to her first child in California in 1999, what should have been a joyful moment quickly turned into a medical emergency.An undiagnosed case of the pregnancy disorder pre-eclampsia led to multiple organ failure, strokes, a brain haemorrhage and grand mal ... Show More
41m 19s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2019
Drag queen de nacimiento (Born to Drag)
In 1980s Quibdó, a rural, Afro Colombian city, homophobia was a part of everyday life. But when Erlin Mena found the courage to put on heels and dance in drag, he helped create a thriving queer community that endures to this day. A transcript of this episode is available at https ... Show More
22m 54s
Nov 2022
Armpits, Feet and Butt Play
The ladies welcome bare knuckle boxer, drag queen, and artist Diego Garijo. Jennifer is crying over spilled breast milk and Pumps is floored by a revelation from their sound engineer. Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/IveHadItPodcast Follow Us: I've Had It Podcast ... Show More
34m 43s
Jun 2023
RuPaul: Born Naked | Queen of Manhattan | 173
RuPaul soon finds that being a starving artist is anything but glamorous. He uses drugs and alcohol to cope with the constant rejection. Things are looking dark – until he discovers a solution in the form of drag.Binge the full season early and ad free with Wondery+ in the Wonder ... Show More
45m 10s
Jan 2015
The Glamorous Strongwoman
<p>From an early age, Katie Sandwina wowed crowds, first as a wrestling act and then exclusively as professional strongwoman. During a time when women's suffrage was a hot button issue, she cultivated an image of a perfectly feminine powerhouse.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ... Show More
28m 52s
Oct 2022
The Non Binary Wrestler, the Yarn Bomber, and the Protest Musician.
Brandon is a non binary wrestler known as London Love Lust. Caroline yarn bombs Nairn's post boxes, and Kapil's music highlights issues of honour violence, caste and disability. 
27m 38s
Feb 2025
In the Studio: Bárbara Sánchez-Kane
Bárbara Sánchez-Kane is a Mexican fashion designer with eclectic influences - from quinceañera dresses to BDSM harnesses, Jesus's loincloth to lucha libre wrestlers in lingerie. Bárbara revels in the camp and complexity of everyday gender performance. Resisting traditional notion ... Show More
26m 21s
Dec 2022
The boy who fought back
He was bullied at school and told to “be more masculine”. Now, Shubham Choudhary’s mission is to help others challenge gender stereotypes. After working with schools, he helps the LGBTQ+ community access health care, acting as a liaison with hospitals and doctors. #MyIndianLife 
21m 58s
Dec 2016
D’Lo: Will the Real Queer Transgender Tamil Sri Lankan Please Stand Up?
D’Lo talks about his Sri Lankan heritage, being raised Hindu while attending Baptist and Catholic schools, and offers evidence to support the claim that he’s a demigod. D’Lo also talks about wanting to kiss girls as a 3-year-old and how his partner has positively transformed his ... Show More
43m 59s
Sep 2023
Mind Over Muscles with Dan "Nitro" Clark
This conversation packs a powerful 90's punch as the former American Gladiator recalls the reality competition full of muscles and mullets! Find out how an accidental knockout led to the job of his dreams...and all the obstacles he endured on and off the show.Plus, the piece of a ... Show More
56m 1s