JOHN CENA FINDING HIS INNER STRENGTH

FROM BULLIED KID TO HOLLYWOOD STAR: THE WRESTLER-TURNED-ACTOR CLEARED OBSTACLES AND LANDED ON TOP

He’s built a career playing vibrant, larger-than-everyday-life characters, so it’s not surprising when John Cena shows up for a Zoom interview to promote his new film The Suicide Squad decked out in full costume – helmet, gloves and all. “No-one is ready for it, but everyone needs it in their life,” Cena says of the movie and his flashy attire.

At 44, the Massachusetts native who became famous as a WWE champion before landing roles in big-screen fare like Trainwreck, Blockers and Bumblebee is having a blockbuster summer. He stars in Fast 9 and The Suicide Squad and will appear at multiple WWE live events including SummerSlam during the “Summer of Cena”. Now at a peaceful place in his life, Cena, who married his girlfriend Shay Shariatzadeh in 2020, is taking stock of the past and planning for the future. “Over the years, I’ve grown more self-aware, empathetic and understanding,” he says. “My perspective has changed. I’m not trying to relive my life at 30. I’m enjoying where I am.”

How did your childhood shape you?