Behind Tom Hardy’s roles as physically imposing figures like ‘Bane’ in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ and Thomas Riordan in ‘Warrior’, lies a deep love for Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the lessons learned from his time on the mats. In a recent promotional interview for ‘Venom: The Last Dance’, the actor was pleasantly surprised at receiving a thoughtful gift. So, how did Hardy respond?

Well, it was like watching a tough guy get caught off guard in the best way! Taya Miller, the messenger of this thoughtful gift, handed Hardy the special package by stating “So, Tom, Sony had it made for you and then they were like, ‘We want you to give it to him,’.”

Hardy, always ready with a quick-witted response, raised an eyebrow. “So, you’re the messenger then?” he quipped. With a smile, Miller responded by revealing, “I do know that you are very into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. They made you a custom Venom: The Last Dance Gi, made by Origin USA.”

The English star’s face lit up, as he beamed at his gift and jokingly proclaimed, “Thank you. Now that you’re leaving, get you’re a** whooped in this! Thank you for bringing this”. But he wasn’t done with just appreciating the gift! Hardy then put the Gi on in the interview and stated, “I should wear it for the rest of the day like Steven Seagal. How do I look? Do I look dangerous?”.

Miller, probably used to Hardy’s playful side, didn’t hold back as she stated, “You do. Very dangerous”. Hardy, always self-deprecating, couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t lie,” he said, throwing in that trademark chuckle. But Hardy’s connection to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu runs much deeper than just a few laughs. In an interview, he revealed how he found grappling and shed light on the lessons he learned in his journey from a white belt to winning tournaments! 

What made Tom Hardy start training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at age 40?

Tom Hardy is no stranger to playing tough, larger-than-life characters. He’s the guy you’ve seen battle villains, survive explosions, and give fierce monologues. But beneath the rugged exterior lies a man who found solace in something unexpected—Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).

In a recent interview with BJJ expert Alberto Serrano Govea, Hardy opened up about his difficulties bulking for characters such as ‘Bane’ – “I was 40, so seven years ago, and I’d trained to get big or small for a film, but on my own, you know, like [I felt] very lonely, [it was] boring. And you just change, and it’s not good for your body and there’s no people, there’s no game you know?”.

So, Hardy made a shift. He’d always been curious about martial arts, but the world of fighting seemed intimidating to him as he further confessed, “There’s a club at the end of my road and the guys were all Jiu Jitsu, and they have kickboxing, and boxing, and I thought I’d try a bit but I’ve always been a bit nervous of the fighting/martial arts community because I thought this is for them. For me; I don’t think I belong.””

But something told him to push through. So, he did. And the result? A transformation—not just physical, but mental and emotional as well as he stated, “And then, I started to enjoy the community and it gave me a level of confidence – honest confidence.” While he may not be in it for trophies or titles, Hardy’s success on the mat speaks for itself. Two years ago, he made a surprise appearance at a tournament and won two gold medals. What’s more, he used his platform to raise awareness for his REORG charity, which helps veterans transition from military service to civilian life.

In the end, Tom Hardy’s love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu isn’t just about the physicality or the accolades. It’s about the journey – finding a community, gaining confidence, embracing the humbling process of starting at the bottom, and working your way up. Now, isn’t that a real superhero story? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!