![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Hulk-Hogan-1-13.jpg?width=600)
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Hulk-Hogan-1-13.jpg?width=600)
Hulk Hogan was one of the most well-built wrestlers of his time. His well-cut physique made him a popular figure even beyond the pro wrestling universe. Being one of the most iconic babyfaces ever, ‘Mr. America’ was legitimately a big guy with a muscular build.
However, you might be surprised to know that Hogan, whose physique rivaled those of some bodybuilders, was obese while growing up.
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In fact, others used to tease the former WWE Champion about his weight. Hogan once revealed how he overcame his weight issues and how they changed his life afterward.
Hulk Hogan reminisced on how he transformed himself
In 2013, Hulk Hogan sat down for an interview with James Arthur Ray and talked about his life before pro wrestling. He explained his struggles with weight while growing up and what led to him changing his lifestyle.
Hogan revealed that he was teased for being overweight, and Bible studies helped him to overcome difficulties and have a better perspective on life. He said it made him realize that there was more to life than just being overweight. It allowed him to push forward to build a better version of himself.
READ MORE: ‘Barbaric Thinking’: Hulk Hogan, Who Helped WWE Make Millions, Was Once Fired for a Foolish Reason
Furthermore, The Hulkster said that he later decided to make changes to his diet to lose weight.
Hogan stated, “I made a decision to be the best I could be. Whether it was school, physicality or eating or trying getting in shape and start changing from that point. I put the overeating of the junk food right away.[…] I made a middle of the road decision to not overeat anymore. Slowly but surely, as my body started to come back down as far as the size and volume of weight I had.”
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Hulk-Hogan-2002.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
The Immortal One emphasized how his life changed after this transformation, saying, “I started to get more confident. Got more lighter on my feet, got better at the little sports I was playing. It gave me a confidence to get dialed-in.”
Indeed, the transformation was significant as Hogan made it to pro wrestling. His chiseled physique would become a massive reason for his popularity.
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Hogan became one of the best pro wrestlers of all time
The body transformation could help Hulk Hogan gain fame as a pro wrestler and WWE signed him in 1983.
Hogan eventually made it big with WWE as the ultimate babyface of pro wrestling in the 1980s. His drawing power led to him headlining multiple WrestleMania events. Besides this, his 24-inch biceps would be bigger than many bodybuilders, including even the bodybuilding legends, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ronnie Coleman.
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However, it’s remarkable how Hogan went from being bullied about his body to being a hero for many kids all over the world.
Watch This Story: Here’s the arm size comparison between bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and former WWE star Hulk Hogan.
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