Best known for her role as the quick-witted Felicity Smoak on Arrow, Emily Bett Rickards is literally stepping into a whole new arena. In Queen of the Ring, Rickards takes on the role of legendary wrestler Mildred Burke, the first-ever million-dollar female athlete who paved the way for women in professional wrestling. The film, premiering in Canada this week, tells the extraordinary true story of Burke’s resilience, power, and determination to defy the odds at a time when women’s wrestling was banned across most of America.
Photo Credit: FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES
Beyond the big screen, Rickards has also made her mark in the wellness world. A self-proclaimed matcha enthusiast, she launched Paradise Matcha, her own organic matcha brand, last year. Between sipping on her “green goodness” and perfecting her in-ring performance, Rickards sat down to talk about her fitness transformation, favorite beauty picks from Canada, and how Queen of the Ring has changed her perspective on strength—inside and out.
From Coffee to Matcha: A Wellness Journey
Rickard’s love for matcha was born out of necessity. “About ten years ago, I cut out coffee,” she shares. “We were working crazy hours on Arrow, and I was relying on coffee to keep me going. My cortisol levels were through the roof, and I realized I needed to make a change.”
Enter matcha—rich in antioxidants, caffeine, and L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes a calm, sustained energy boost. “With coffee, you get a spike and crash. With matcha, it’s more of a steady incline—it’s like going on a rolling hike rather than climbing Everest and falling down the other side.”
Her passion for matcha soon turned into a business. Paradise Matcha sources organic, shade-grown matcha from Japan. “Organic matcha is hard to grow, but it was important to me to find the best. We have two types—one that’s bright and umami, and another that’s richer and creamier.”
Training Like a Wrestler
Transforming into a wrestling icon required serious training. “I didn’t have the muscle that Mildred needed,” Rickards admits. “I wasn’t new to weights, but I had never focused on building muscle in this way.”
With the help of her trainer, Thomas Taylor of T3 Athletics, and nutritionist, Dr. Diego Botezelli, she followed a high-protein, no-cardio regimen focused on lifting heavy weights. “We had three months before filming, and every few weeks, the workouts evolved as I got stronger,” she says. “Once filming started, it became about maintaining muscle and managing stress so my body didn’t start breaking down the gains I had made.”
Rickards also emphasized the importance of fueling her body properly. “I was eating more than I ever had—tons of chicken, amino acids, and omega-3s to keep my hormones balanced. There’s this idea that diets mean restriction, but I was fueling my body in the best way possible, and it felt amazing.”
Honoring a Trailblazer
Taking on the role of Mildred Burke was an eye-opening experience for Rickards. “I didn’t realize women’s wrestling was illegal at one point. Mildred had no precedent—she saw men wrestle once and decided, ‘That’s what I want to do.’ She wasn’t just breaking into a sport; she was fighting to make it exist for women.”
The role deepened her appreciation for the generations of women who fought for equality. “Mildred and the women of her time created a platform that we stand on today. My grandmother, my mother, and now all of us—we’re still fighting, but we’re stronger together.”
Canadian Beauty Picks
As a proud Canadian, Rickards has a few homegrown beauty favorites. “I’m really into Living Libations—they have a cult following in Canada. Their oil-pulling products, gum drops, and facial cleansers are fantastic.”
She also swears by The SkinGirls in Vancouver. “Their SkinEdition brand has amazing retinol and sunscreen. Their formulas are so good.”
On set, she relied on cold plunges to help with muscle recovery. “I had a little collapsible cold plunge on set—it’s great for inflammation. There’s a lot of new research on how cold plunging affects women’s health, and I’m fascinated by it.”
What’s Next?
With Queen of the Ring premiering, Rickards is looking forward to celebrating milestones with family—her stepdad’s 70th birthday and the arrival of her new nephew. She’s also diving into creative projects. “I’m writing, creating, and exploring new avenues. This year feels different—I feel whole in a way I haven’t before.”
From wrestling rings to matcha cups, Rickards is proving that strength—whether physical or personal—comes in many forms. And with her ever-growing list of passions, she’s just getting started.
