The Rock tells his story.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is the highest paid American actor, not to mention his multi-million dollar tours in the WWE. He might just be the most successful entertainer in American history.

But Dwayne has been open about his personal struggles, saying that his depression really began at age 15 with his mother’s suicide attempt.

He told the Express,

“She got out of the car on the Interstate 65 in Nashville and walked into oncoming traffic. Big rigs and cars were swerving out the way. I grabbed her and pulled her back on the gravel shoulder of the road.

“What’s crazy about that suicide attempt is that to this day, she has no recollection of it whatsoever. Probably best she doesn’t.”

His teen years bore the scars of this early trauma. Dwayne said bodybuilding gave him a path:

“I had a lot of personal struggles I was going through and I was lost and getting into lots of trouble as a teenager. I needed to straighten myself out and thanks to bodybuilding, I was able to gain self-respect and set definite goals in my life.”

Johnson’s pain didn’t end there. His professional football career was derailed by injuries, and he struggled to find a way to prosperity. He said he modeled his career off the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone. Many years later, he still shares his personal story and tries to inspire others.

In response to letters from fans who say they are experiencing depression, Dwayne says they’re not alone. He says he and his mother have recovered.

“We both healed but we’ve always got to do our best to pay attention when other people are in pain. We have to help them through it and remind them they are not alone.

“I hear you. I’ve battled that beast more than once.”

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