Childhood and Upbringing
The speaker's childhood was marked by instability due to his father's pro wrestling career, involving frequent moves and difficulty forming roots.
- Constant Relocation: Spent childhood in the backseat of a car traveling between towns as his father wrestled.
- Lack of Stability: Experienced challenges in making new friends due to constant moving.
- Only Child: Grew up as an only child, potentially amplifying the effects of instability.
Father's Pro Wrestling Career and Influence
The speaker's father was a professional wrestler in the 70s and 80s, a period where wrestling was more localized and less globalized. This career heavily influenced the speaker's upbringing.
- Traveling Lifestyle: The family moved every year or year and a half due to the father's wrestling commitments.
- Fishing as a Bond: Fishing was one of the few activities the speaker shared with his father, creating fond memories.
- Early Exposure to Performance: The speaker was exposed to performance and audiences from a young age through his father's career.
- "Tough Love" Parenting: The father had a "tough love" approach, with little patience and a focus on discipline.
- Racial Challenges: The father, a black pro wrestler in the 60s and 70s, faced significant challenges, particularly in the predominantly white South and within the pro wrestling scene of that era.
- Gym Routine: The speaker spent time in the gym with his father from a young age, eventually wrestling on the mats as a form of training.
Personal Philosophy on Work and Success
The speaker reflects on his approach to work, emphasizing the importance of doing what one loves rather than just working for the sake of it.
- "Work Begets Work" Mentality: Initially believed in the principle of "make hay while the sun is out" to build a career.
- Evolving Priorities: Now prioritizes making "hay that I love to make," shifting focus to passion projects.
- Controlled Approach to Projects: No longer "backs into dates" for films but chooses projects based on personal interest and love for the material.
- Driven by Passion: Believes that if a project is "for him," it's the right choice, regardless of audience reception.
The Importance of Unplugging and Sanctuary
The speaker emphasizes the need for personal space and time to disconnect from the demands of his public life.
- Need for a Sanctuary: Values his "sanctuary" where he can unplug and reset, away from the "whirlwind" of his public life.
- Contrast with Public Persona: Acknowledges that his public image might suggest he never "unplugs."
- Appreciation for Solitude: Enjoys the peace of being alone and seeing "no one" in his sanctuary.
The "Smashing Machine" Project and Career Shift
The film "Smashing Machine" represents a significant shift in the speaker's career, pushing him into new territory.
- A "Complete Right Turn": Describes the project as a departure from his previous work, a "place in space that I had not ever been in before."
- "Bit" by Acting: Compares the experience to being "bit" by acting, first on "The Mummy Returns" and again with this project.
- Diving into "Sludge": Willing to explore darker themes and complex characters, moving away from his previous "audience first" approach.
- Terrified but Excited: Felt "terrified" by the new material and the opportunity to disappear into a character.
- Future Impact: Believes this project will change his career trajectory, allowing him to explore roles that demand disappearing into a character.
Father-Son Relationship and Legacy
The speaker discusses the complex and often challenging relationship he had with his father, influenced by his father's difficult past.
- Father's Traumatic Childhood: His father was kicked out of his home at 13 by his mother, which deeply affected his capacity for love and empathy.
- Limited Capacity to Love: The speaker was raised by a father with a "limited capacity to love" due to his own experiences.
- Father's Disapproval of Career Choice: Believes his father initially disliked him entering the wrestling business.
- Pride Mixed with Struggle: Acknowledges his father was proud of his success but also "wrestled" with it due to his own limitations.
- Complicated Relationship: Their relationship was characterized by a mix of love and complexity, vacillating between the two.
- Unfinished Business: The sudden death of his father left unresolved issues and a lack of closure.
- Inherited Resilience: Learned from his father the importance of overcoming circumstances through hard work.
Mental Health and Vulnerability
The speaker openly discusses his past experiences with depression and the evolving role of vulnerability in his life and work.
- Past Bouts of Depression: Experienced bouts of depression, particularly after his football career ended and during his first marriage.
- Evolving Approach to Vulnerability: While previously preferring a "lighter touch" and not exploring personal "emotional shit" on screen, he is now diving into this "sludge."
- "It's Okay": Realized through his experiences that it's okay to be open, vulnerable, and express himself artistically.
- Childhood Trauma: His upbringing as an only child who had to solve problems independently led to internalizing issues.
- Ongoing Healing: Acknowledges that there is still "stuff that still needs healing currently."
Defining "Athlete" and Personal Identity
The speaker and interviewer discuss the label of "athlete" and how it relates to his various pursuits.
- Beyond a Single Label: Prefers to be seen simply as an "athlete" rather than being defined by specific sports like golf, despite his skill.
- Athlete Identity: The interviewer correctly identifies him as an athlete, which he confirms.
Personal Values and Nature
The speaker attributes his positive qualities, such as kindness and compassion, to his mother.
- Influence of Mother: Credits his mother for his kindness, sweetness, and toughness, and her ability to remain positive through adversity.
- Multicultural Heritage: Identifies as half black (father) and half Samoan (mother).
- Positive Press: Notes a general lack of significant negative press, attributing this to his authentic nature and the absence of significant scandals.
The Goal of "Running Towards Joy"
The speaker articulates his current life goal as pursuing activities and relationships that bring him joy and happiness.
- Pursuit of Love and Joy: The goal is to "run towards the stuff that I love doing," including people, his children, and family.
- On the Other Side of Running: Envisions that this pursuit will lead to "joy, man, and happiness," a contrast to his earlier, more driven, but less joyful, career pursuits.
- Authenticity Matters: Ultimately, the most important thing is doing what he loves, regardless of external validation.