Dwayne Johnson has been a role model to many people around the world. He motivates people through his fitness videos and often talks about working hard to achieve success. Apart from presenting himself as a physical fitness icon, The Rock has used his stature to address a more pressing concern- mental health. He once did something that helped a lot of his male fans by exercising a tenet of this very model: talking about it.

Unchecked mental fatigue almost always leads to problems, and Dwayne Johnson has found himself in such a situation multiple times. Speaking on a podcast, Johnson revealed how he stepped down from his ‘The Rock’ persona and shared a vulnerable moment that broke stereotypes and made a huge difference.

The big weight Dwayne Johnson let go of and its aftermath

Dwayne Johnson gives the impression of the perfect man with everything going his way and under control. Johnson has a nearly unparalleled Hollywood career, several businesses, and a highly strong and masculine physique which has impressed fans all over the world. Making an appearance on Trevor Noah’s ‘What Now?’ podcast, The Rock revealed how these things held him captive and what really set him free.

Noah asked The Rock about it felt for him to speak against the stigma of depression and mental health and whether he was afraid while revealing this information to the world. Mentioning his depressive phases in an interview, he said, “Didn’t even think about. I didn’t think, well, I don’t know, maybe I shouldn’t. Maybe there’s a reputation I should uphold. Big, strong men. Strong men. It’s that culture. How is it going to be received? I didn’t really think about it. I don’t remember exactly when, but I remember being in an interview or something. And then I just started talking about it.”

While Dwayne Johnson expected a big feedback for his words, he didn’t know it would be something positive. “I certainly realized it after the feedback I got, and this was probably years ago, of how much it helped, how much it helped guys, how much it helped men, how much it helped people.”

This didn’t just make his male fanbase feel better, heard, and less alone, but Johnson himself felt quite relieved. In fact, this wasn’t the last time the men in his fanbase were touched by him.

How several men grew closer to Johnson after his huge revelation

Dwayne Johnson received a lot of praise after this interview where he openly committed that he faced depression. Johnson later mentioned in an interview with BBC Newsbeat that everything had started when he offered support to one of his fans.

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Johnson noted, “It was really overwhelming and thousands of people responded. It all started when I helped a man (a fan who was fighting his own battle with depression).”

Johnson further iterated, “We as men have a tendency to hold all that in which is not healthy, it’s not good. Depression doesn’t discriminate so if my past can help then I’m happy to share.” It was these words that helped fans look past the perfect persona of ‘The Rock’ and connect with the real Dwayne Johnson.  Since then The Rock has continued to motivate his followers in their struggle against depression. What are your thoughts about The Rock’s story? Let them flow in the comments.

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