The Rock And Depression: Dwayne Johnson Thanks Depression For Leading Him To WWE

Dwayne Johnson's success as a wrestler and Hollywood actor stemmed from one not-so-nice condition - depression. "The Rock" fondly looks back and recalls how depression led him to WWE, which ultimately opened the doors to a successful acting career in Hollywood.

Daily Mail reported that the 43-year-old "Furious 7" actor admitted during one Oprah's Master Class episode that he previously struggled with depression. Although generally thought of as a debilitating condition, the opposite happened to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

Depression is tough. Grateful one of my bouts became a defining moment. This Sunday 8pm on @Oprah's #MasterClass. https://t.co/Cl5mMxjlcH

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) November 13, 2015

Dwayne Johnson's Important Realization 

Johnson said that he learned something important when he had bouts with depression. "The Rock" noted that with depression, he realized that he was not alone.

Thank you. I was just hoping to deliver a message that was helpful. We all go thru it and you're never alone. https://t.co/MRUSc7nIIf — Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) November 17, 2015

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's struggles with depression stemmed from his failure to be drafted by the NFL. As if not enough to cause a severe low down period to a 23-year-old NFL aspirant, he was also cut from the Calgary Stampeders, his team in the Canadian Football League. Ask Men said that it was at this point that "The Ballers" star experienced mental health issues.

When asked by Oprah what the key elements were for me getting thru my multiple bouts with depression, I told her the only anchor I was able to hold onto during those hard times was faith. Look forward to sharing more life lessons with you guys this SUNDAY at 8pm on #MasterClass #OwnNetwork #WeveAllBeenDown #AndDeserveToGetBackUp A video posted by therock (@therock) on Nov 12, 2015 at 2:54pm PST

"The Rock" said that at that time he felt really low. Johnson secluded himself in the small apartment of his parents. He was hiding most likely from the shame and misery of seeing his dream slipping from his grasps. At that point, he started entertaining dark thoughts.

No One To Tell "The Rock" It's Okay

During the interview, "The Rock" got a bit emotional when he recalled those dark days of his life. He said that when he was struggling with depression, he wished he had someone at that time who can pull him aside and tell him it's going to be okay.

Thanks to this low period of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's life, he found himself trying out a career in wrestling. Funny thing was his coach called him six weeks after he was cut off from the Calgary Stampeders, telling him to come back.

At that point Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson decided that he was done with football and followed his instinct to try out pro-wrestling, despite the opposition from his father, Rocky Johnson, also a pro-wrestler. It turned out that "The Rock's" decision to stick it out in wrestling after depression was the best one ever!