Dwayne Johnson, Who 'Cried Constantly' Being Depressed & Hid It, Now Protects 3 Daughters from Mental Issues

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson rose to fame and quickly became one of Hollywood's most loved stars. However, his humble beginnings might surprise you. The actor's troubled past shaped him into the strong but emotional man he is today.

Raised by professional wrestler Rocky Johnson and his loving mother, Ata Johnson, Dwayne had an unusual childhood. His dad's career resulted in constant traveling, and the actor had lived in 38 of the 50 American states during his childhood.

While he didn't know it then, Dwayne's life changed forever when he was 13. His dad took him to the gym, and the youngster immediately fell in love with the disciplined routines and drive to improve his strength. However, his big muscles also brought a few problems.

The actor tried to solve many of his issues physically, ended up in numerous fights, and even got arrested for his violence and theft. After an altercation with one of his high school teachers, Dwayne decided to apologize.

The educator was surprised and impressed, inviting him to football practice — it was another turning point in his life. Amid all his struggles, the one constant in Dwayne's life was the gym, which he used as an escape. The actor shared:

"I'll never forget my mom crying, and I'll never forget the thought I had, 'Well, the only thing I can do is just go build my body.'"

DWAYNE ONLY HAD $7 TO HIS NAME

Dwayne was grateful for a full scholarship to the University of Miami and excited when he moved to Canada to play football for the Calgary Stampeders. His dream job was to make a living as a sportsman, but it wasn't meant to be.

Due to several injuries, he was fired after a year, and Dwayne was left unemployed and hopeless. He only had $7 in his pocket and no idea where to go next. He recalled:

"I dreamed of having an All Pro/Super Bowl Champion football career. Instead, I was cut from the team, told I wasn’t good enough ... After years of blood, sweat, guts and tears, my dream was over.

THE ACTOR'S SECRET STRUGGLE WITH DEPRESSION

While the world knows Dwayne as one of the highest-paid actors, his journey to success was full of hurdles and hardship. He faced immense turmoil, including a devastating breakup, leading him to a deep and dark place. He once expressed:

I reached a point where I didn’t want to do a thing or go anywhere. I was crying constantly."

Dwayne didn't immediately realize he was suffering from depression. He just knew he didn't feel optimistic about anything anymore and eventually understood he was facing a terrible mental beast.

The actor stated: "[I] fell into depression, didn't know what to do or where to turn." Amid his pain and anguish, he kept his depression a secret, hiding his feelings because he didn't think tough guys could be vulnerable.

TALKING ABOUT HIS PROBLEMS WAS THE ANSWER

To overcome the battle he fought with mental health struggles, Dwayne looked for a way to cope. He didn't turn to violence but chose to speak about his problems and found that talking brought healing. He shared:

"Eventually, I picked myself back up again, and refocused and committed myself to a different path. The rest is history. I’ve been there, so I encourage you to keep working hard."

Dwayne knew firsthand what it was like to be depressed and witnessed his mother face a similar struggle. The actor proudly made it his mission to encourage others to be vulnerable, noting the importance of reminding people "they are not alone."

Dwayne realized that talking about his pain was helpful and pushed him forward. The actor revealed that opening up "got him "through the sludge of things [and] that's where a different life happens for us. That's where success happens."

He also had a valuable lesson for his fans and told them they shouldn't be dismayed when things don't work out because it often means that something better is waiting. He added:

"Life is so unpredictable ... it's gonna lead you down a path that you were meant to go down. Sometimes, the thing we want most in life is often the best thing that never happens to us."

DWAYNE'S GOALS AS A DAD

Dwayne's life gained new meaning and responsibility when he was 29. He became a dad for the first time, welcoming daughter Simone with his ex, Dany Garcia. He was proud of his eldest, praising her "incredible independence and work ethic."

He was immeasurably thankful for his now-wife, Lauren Hashian, and her influence in the lives of their younger daughters, Jasmine and Tiana. He said:

"She embodies what I believe are the two most important things in the world, which is love and kindness. I'm a lucky man, in that I have a great relationship with my daughters."

The doting dad always prioritized family time and is serious about raising his kids right. He knows how important it is to instill good values and hoped he could teach his daughters to lead their lives with love. He shared:

"I’ll love, protect, guide and make you laugh for the rest of my life. Your crazy dad has many responsibilities and wears many hats, but being your dad will always be the one I’m most proud to wear."

The actor's social media pages are covered in sweet photos of him with his pride and joy—his three beautiful girls. He endeavored to love them for the rest of his life and enjoyed spending time with them.

Being a dad made Dwayne even more passionate about speaking about mental health and raising a generation that isn't afraid to share their feelings. The actor stated:

"Being able to talk about these mental health issues, that we have struggles, is not a weakness. It's a superpower."

As someone who overcame his grueling battle with depression after many years, he hoped he could raise awareness in his family and the world.