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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson on Career Changes, Jason at WrestleMania, Girl Dads & Jabronis | Ep 159

2025-10-13 Sports
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New Heights
New Heights
3.2m subscribers

Dwayne Johnson Discusses Leaving Football for Wrestling and Facing Fear

Discover how Dwayne Johnson pivoted from a failed football career to wrestling superstardom and why facing fear—not avoiding it—is the key to greatness in athletics and life.

Short Summary

  • The Rock detailed the pivot point in his life when he chose wrestling over a potential CFL return, honoring the path laid by his wrestling legacy despite his father's disapproval.
  • He contrasted the constant, 365-day grind of WWE with the NFL season structure, highlighting the necessity of working through pain in sports entertainment.
  • Johnson provided deep insights into portraying UFC pioneer Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine, focusing on the emotional toll of pressure and addiction.
  • This discussion offers guidance on leaving comfort zones, defining personal success, and managing external media noise through strong foundational support systems.

This discussion features Travis and Jason Kelsey interviewing Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson about his transition from the University of Miami football program to professional wrestling, his new film The Smashing Machine about MMA fighter Mark Kerr, and the differing pressures faced by elite athletes. Listeners gain actionable insights into overcoming setbacks, defining personal purpose (the "flip switch"), and the importance of family connection when handling massive public scrutiny.

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Description

92%ers, welcome to another episode of New Heights brought to you by Peloton! On today’s guest episode, we are joined by the most electrifying man in sports entertainment, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Dwayne and the guys talk all about how he left his comfort zone for his new movie "The Smashing Machine," what his life was like playing with Hall of Famers at The U, why his dad didn't want him to step into the ring, his favorite memories from WWE's Attitude Era, what he thought of Jason's appearance at WrestleMania, if Travis is allowed to call people jabronis, life as a girl dad, and more! Watch and listen to new episodes of New Heights every Wednesday during the NFL season and follow us on Social Media for all the best moments from the show: https://lnk.to/newheightshow You can also listen to new episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. . . . Download the full podcast here: Wondery: https://wondery.app.link/s9hHTgtXpMb Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-heights/id1643745036 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/1y3SUbFMUSESC1N43tBleK?si=LsuQ4a5MRN6wGMcfVcuynw Check out New Heights on Prime Video: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FR2MJWYS?ref=blog Shop all the New Heights merch at https://homage.com/newheights Support the show: PELOTON: Introducing the Peloton Cross Training Tread+ Powered by Peloton IQ. The Tread+ is our most elevated equipment with personalized guidance and a variety of workouts—Like cardio, strength training, yoga, and more. Learn more about the Cross-Training Tread+ at https://onepeloton.com Chapters 00:00 - Intro 02:30 - The Smashing Machine 16:10 - Playing at “The U” 21:40 - “Upper Body Violence” 27:35 - Transition to Wrestling 31:35 - The Attitude Era 37:45 - Retirement 44:15 - Pressure of Greatness 51:00 - Girl Dad 56:00 - Who Owns “Jabroni?” 57:550 - Greatest Insult of All Time 59:30 - Cheat Meals 01:05:30 - John Cena’s Last Match 01:06:40 - Moana Dads 01:08:30 - “Honky Pete” 01:11:00 - Jason at WrestleMania 01:13:30 - Welcome to Hollywood Moment #nfl #jasonkelce #traviskelce #wwe #therock #chiefs #eagles #wrestlemania #moana #thesmashingmachine #kevinhart

Top Comments (10)

@raspberry7571 2025-10-13

Not only did the Kelce's interview the Rock, but this video may have been more of the Rock interviewing the Kelces. Loved it!

696 15 replies
@countdown32124 2025-10-13

I just love a chill , drama free, zero gotcha type of convo . Just some dudes yapping and laughing. Nice job !

373 1 replies
@battlefield3champ 2025-10-13

travis and jason just continue to add onto their legendary guest list lol

282 1 replies
@kathrynaston6841 2025-10-13

I LOVED that the Rock turned the questions on to the Kelce brothers! Having a conversation and swapping stories with one another.

199 2 replies
@DiamondLives 2025-10-13

This was actually one of the best interviews I have seen in a long time ... I've always liked Dwayne Johnson ... And the Kelce Bro's with him is a really good mix ... LOVE it!

151
@Chiefeaglegal 2025-10-13

Several years ago, I went out with a friend of mine for dinner. When I got home, my husband had recorded The Rock hosting SNL for me and also one of my favorite singers Ray Lamontagne was the musical guest that night. I got home and started watching. Super excited. As the show went on I started to feel sick. Shortly after it finished, I was intensly ill. My husband had to take me to the ER. I spent the next 2 days in the hospital. My diagnosis was food poisoning but to this day my husband says I was overwhelmed with excitement watching that SNL episode. This morning I text him to let him know I was watching the Kelces bros interview The Rock. He text back, "Let me know what hospital you are going to be at." As a massive Rock fan since my teenage years and the Kelce bros being the whole reason I even started watching any level of football ever, I just have to say, thanks to you both and congratulations on where you are right now at this moment. Which coming from a fellow attitude era fan, I am sure feels surreal.

124 3 replies
@MissSadara 2025-10-13

I swear Jason, with that intro, you need to do the “start your engines” at a NASCAR race!

121
@marianneconverse4824 2025-10-13

Jason and Travis make a great tag-team with interviewing, Jason leading the way and Travis coming in on clean up, and letting their guest really speak and not jumping in too soon with the next question. ESPN needs to lock them in for someone when Travis retires.

101
@x.BROOKS.x 2025-10-14

You guys unlocked a whole different stratosphere of podcast content. Every episode is “the best episode ever” at this point lol

87
@masterofnone3981 2025-10-14

I’m gonna say it. You all are three good dudes. I’m sure that I’m speaking on behalf for all your fans, thank you for giving yourselves to the world. It’s a straight up solid brothers.

31

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