The Rock Talks About How Battling Depression Led To Him Starting As A Professional Wrestler
Former WWE Champion The Rock will appear on Oprah's Master Class tonight on OWN. In the latest clip released by the show, The Rock reveals that he has battled depression.
"I found that with depression that one of the most important things you can realize is that you're not alone," Rock explained. "Often times, you just feel like you're alone, you're in your bubble. I wish I had someone at that time who could pull me aside and said 'Hey, it's going to be okay."
The Rock hasn't elaborated much on his depression in the past publicly, which occurred during his football career.
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"Hold on to that fundamental quality of faith. Have faith that the other side of your pain is something good. After a month and a half of staying in that little apartment and cleaning, I got a phone call from the coach of the team who cut me, the Calgary Stampede. He said 'I know we cut you, but I'd like you to come back,'" explained the Rock.
The Rock said that he was thrilled with the call, but decided to not go back to playing football. Instead he told his father, WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson, that he'd rather try his hand at professional wrestling.
"I said 'I think I want to get into the business,' and he said 'what business?' I said 'the wrestling business,' and (Rocky Johnson) said 'you're throwing it all away.' I (thought) maybe in my heart I'll be no good, but I have to try this. My Dad rose to the occasion and said 'I'll train you,' and it wound up being one of the greatest chapters in my life," he said.
You can see a video of the Rock's story above. The full episode of The Rock on Oprah's Master Class airs tonight at 8 pm EST on OWN.