Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is one of America’s most beloved celebrities. He’s an accomplished wrestler, actor, and humanitarian, and he says he owes his success to God. He explained, “I have my own special relationship with God, you know, and I certainly feel very blessed. I count my blessings every day.” Even before he became famous, his faith helped him through some tough situations. Today, he captures the hearts of viewers who see his memorable movie roles, but he hasn’t always had so much success in life.
Johnson was born an only child in Hayward, California. His father, a championship wrestler, traveled all around the world for his career and brought his family, including the Rock, with him. As a kid, Johnson spent time in many countries, including New Zealand. However, this traveling lifestyle wasn’t always as great as it may sound. At this time, pro wrestling wasn’t as popular as it is today, and Johnson’s father didn’t always make a lot of money. One day, while Johnson was living in Honolulu with his mother, he came home to an eviction notice. His mom worked as a housekeeper at a hotel and could not afford the rent for their apartment, so the two moved to Nashville to live with Johnson’s father. Unfortunately, the family’s hardships didn’t end there. After the pair relocated, Johnson’s mother attempted suicide by walking out in front of traffic. Johnson, who saw the attempt, ran after her and brought her to safety. When remembering this moment, he said, “In that moment, one of the greatest lessons I’ve ever learned was how precious life is and how in an instant it can all go away.” Because his family moved around frequently and faced many difficulties, Johnson was aimless and troubled as a teenager. He had several arrests as a teen and had trouble making friends.
Fortunately, Johnson began to turn his life around when he was about 16 years old. One day, he used the teacher’s lounge bathroom at his school without permission, and a teacher entered. The teacher told him he wasn’t allowed to be in the lounge, and Johnson replied, “Okay. I’ll leave when I’m done.” The next day, he regretted his rude behavior and gave a sincere apology to the teacher. He and the teacher shook hands, and while reflecting on this moment, Johnson said, “I’ll never forget that shake; he wouldn’t let it go.” Shortly after, he joined the football team and started thinking about the future. Football gave him something to strive towards, and he continued playing football through college. He even considered an NFL career, but he chose to become a wrestler instead. His wrestling career eventually led to his acting career, and today, he’s one of the most popular celebrities in America. Johnson says his faith in God is what helped him work hard and stay hopeful for a bright future. He had a difficult childhood, but he has proven that with faith and hard work, it is possible to reach your goals.
