Powerlifting champion Larry Wheels recently opened up about his relationship with his wife, Sheyla, during an appearance on the Jack Neel podcast.
During the conversation, host Jack Neel asked him directly why he allows his wife to use a racial slur, a topic that has circulated widely online. Neel asked directly: “Why do you let her say the N-word?”
Wheels framed the situation as part of their private humor and relationship dynamic rather than something meant to offend others.
“It’s part of our foreplay. No, we know we have a laugh about it. I mean, she calls our pets out sometimes. We just find it funny,” he said,
Wheels continued: “For the longest time, before she met me, she had other guys like try and get her to say that word and she just never would. She couldn’t bring something to it. So ever since I gave her the N-pass, she’s just been abusing it at home. But not abusing it. Initially she did, but now it’s just like another word to her. We just find it funny.”
Despite the backlash online, Wheels pushed back firmly against the narrative that Sheyla disrespects him or takes advantage of his success. He emphasized that their marriage is built on partnership and mutual support.
“She’s contributed plenty to the marriage. We are doing this broadcasting thing as a team,” he said. “We’ve been together for five years now, and I do value her input and the peace of mind I get from being with her. She’s my best friend before she’s my wife.”
Wheels also addressed accusations that his wife is a “gold digger,” a label that has frequently surfaced in online discussions about their relationship. Rather than taking offense, he responded with humor and a broader perspective on relationships and financial stability.
“I’m a gold digger, too. We all like gold, you know?” he said. “Who doesn’t want somebody that’s successful that can take care of a family and provide?”
He went on to note that Sheyla has received attention from extremely wealthy men but has remained committed to their marriage.
“She’s been approached by billionaires,” he said. “She shows me the DMs, the guys that can buy me 10 times over, but she’s not leaving me for every richer guy that comes into her DMs.”
Beyond defending her character, Wheels credited Sheyla with helping him navigate a serious personal struggle that cost him hundreds of thousands of dollars. He described her reaction as supportive rather than judgmental during a difficult period in his life.
“She was surprised, as the men she’d been with before me never had such a problem,” he said. “At the same time, she was understanding and empathetic, and she gave me a chance. She is a big reason why I’m able to stay absent from it.”
The topic of marriage decisions also came up, including why he chose not to sign a prenuptial agreement. Wheels explained that his trust in Sheyla’s temperament played a major role in that choice.
“Because if she was a confrontational, argumentative person, I’d be fearful that one day she would drag my name through the mud and try to look me for every dollar I have,” he said. “But she’s never shown any sign of anything like that.”
When asked to name her best quality, Wheels did not hesitate, pointing again to the sense of calm she brings into his life.
“My favorite quality would be how non-confrontational she is,” he said. “She never raises her voice. She’s not argumentative. There’s just peace at the house.”
