Club Shay Shay - John Cena Part 2

Episode Date: August 21, 2024

In Part 2 of this episode of Club Shay Shay with John Cena, The Face of the WWE talks about his transition to acting, how Judd Apatow’s “Trainwreck” changed his career, and his experiences in films like “Suicide Squad” and “Fast & Furious”. John doesn’t shy away from the challenges of acting, particularly the embarrassment of filming sex scenes, but embraces the opportunities that come his way. Additionally, John gives listeners a sneak peek into his latest role in Jackpot, which John found to be a natural fit based on his personality in real life. As the episode nears its close, John offers insights into his financial philosophy. A self-proclaimed car enthusiast, John talks about his love for driving and his worst purchases, including a fake Lamborghini, while his best purchase remains his wife’s engagement ring. He shares some of the tough financial lessons he’s learned to inform listeners how they can avoid the pitfalls he’s made in the past. John shares views on personal privacy as a global superstar, and why he still doesn’t want kids despite the societal implications adopted when an individual decides to make such a lifestyle choice. Join Shannon Sharpe and John Cena for an episode packed with inspiration, candid stories, and the wisdom of a man who’s never given up.  #VolumeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey there, it's Michael Lewis, author of Going Infinite, Moneyball, The Blind Side, and Liar's Poker. On the latest season of my podcast, Against the Rules, I'm exploring what it means to be a sports fan in America, and what the rise of sports betting is doing to our teams, our states, and ourselves. Join me and listen to Against the Rules on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Open your free iHeart app and search Against the Rules. Listen to Against the Rules on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. This week on Dear Chelsea with me, Chelsea Handler, I am joined by the greatest alpine skier of all time, Michaela Schifrin. Michaela talks about the ski accident that changed everything for her, performing while going through grief, and what it's like to release the pressure of being the GOAT. And so much more.

Like, I have no right to be winning this race. I really probably shouldn't even be doing it. But I'm here, so I will win. Listen to this episode of Dear Chelsea on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for coming back. Part two is underway. When you decided to say, you know what, I'm going to give this acting thing a try,

because Rock wrestled, then went to acting still wrestles periodically here and there batista did the same thing batista now he mainly just does acting and even roman reigns he's followed in europe so what did you have conversations with rock did you have conversations with batista i did but i think our paths are different okay i think especially with duane he did did w and said, I want to do act. Okay. I think with Batista, he also said, I now want to do act. Okay.

I got a chance to do act. Okay. And I got a chance early in my career. 2004 was my first movie. And it didn't go so well. And then I did a bunch of bad movies. But I got those chances because the WWE was opening a studio. Right.

Again, if life cracks the door open, see what's behind it. Yes. So my boss was like, hey, you got to go to Australia to make this movie. Why? Because we were going to do it with Stone Cold and he backed out. When do we film? In a week. Get down there.

Okay, let's go. Right. That got me kind of run out of the movie business in 2009. And then in the early, like 2010, 11, 12, I was approached with very small roles and I'd been playing this, like the same character on TV. Not that I was bored, but this was a chance to be like, Hey, do you want to make fun of yourself? Or do you want to be part of this movie where you can dress up as a different character and do different stuff? So I didn't say I was going to go act. I just merely said, yo,

say I was going to go act. I just merely said, yo, there's an opportunity in front of me that I'd like to do. I know why I fucked up in the past because I wanted to be in the ring when I should have wanted to be on set. Let's give this thing a try. And when you give it a try, give it a try. Respect the process, respect the long days, respect the multiple takes. It's not live entertainment. There's not 10,000 people screaming your your name do this for this and do it the best you can and that's when things start good work i'm a firm believer in good work will get you another opportunity somewhere right and that started to happen what's the hardest part about auditioning failing it is the thing and and a lot of the a lot of the audition process, they're just looking, a lot of it is aesthetic. You know, you, you see a character in your mind when you read

the book and if the person walks in and they're the, the spitting image of that character, man, they got a good chance. Right. Anyone can be coachable. If I'm a director, I want to think, if I'm your head coach and I see you and I'm like, man, I think with good coaching, I think we can help this talent. So it's a lot, that's a lot of the audition process. So the, the shitty thing is failing a lot. Like it is a business of rejection in baseball. You get a hit three out of 10 times. You make the hall of fame. Yeah. That's an F audition. It's like, God, if you land one out of a hundred, for some it's one out of a thousand. Like you just get rejected all the time. And you're basically being told you're not good enough.

Wow. And they kind of don't tell you why. It's just you didn't get the gig. So if you know you need to work on your speed, easy. I'll practice that. I'll get better at that. But just tell me that. Son, you're not fast enough.

Yeah. You don't get anything. You just don't get the part. Son, you're not fast enough. Yeah, you don't get that. Son, you're not strong enough. You don't get anything. You just don't get the part. Son, your routes. You need to work on your routes. Son, you need to be able to get on the edge. You need to get skinny. But when you say nah, you don't... You don't know what to practice. It's just tough. It's tough.

But then train wreck happens. Yep. What was that situation like? I mean, they call you. It's like, okay, we got this roll. We got this roll, John. We'd like for you to come I mean, they call you, it's like, okay, we got this role, we got this role, John. We'd like for you to come down there, read for it, and give this thing a go. Yep. And I sat in a room with Amy Schumer and Judd Apatow, and I was prepared.

We went through the script. Okay. And then life handed me an opportunity. Judd said, put the script down and just riff. And we just did. And I wasn't afraid of looking silly. And I wasn't afraid of not being funny. And I wasn't afraid of failing. Because I was failing all the time anyway.

And I got advice from Judd behind the camera of kind of encouraging me to what to say. Amy is an angel. She made the environment so comfortable. And then when I got the part, eventually, and they were like, yeah, it's a sex scene. And we want you to do elaborate and crazy stunt sex. And all those lines you had, we're probably not going to use. We're just going to do the stunt sex scene. Yeah, sure.

Let's do it. Be naked in front of everybody? Yeah, no problem. Let's do it. So that also comes with like, well, people are going to laugh at me. And people are going to make fun of the way I look physically. OK, man, let's go. Being OK with self, you know, and OK, this is what this profession is about.

Yeah, let's do it. Let's give it a try. Is it hard doing a sex scene? Oh, my God, it's the worst. Why? What's so bad about it? Right now. Did I miss up?

No, this is the thing. Right right now you guys at home think it's just us yeah no there's a whole fucking world back here yes and this is this is like a great production nonetheless right but dude man like catering was right there and like the sound tent is right there they started off we started off practice it was like a closed set and closed set. And I've come to grips with like, this is who you are. You work every day to be the best you can. Right. Fuck it, man. Let it hang out.

Right. So when that attitude. Literally or figuratively. All in. Okay, okay. It's a short story either way. Who cares? It's just, there are so many people you need to make a movie.

Right. There is nothing intimate about it. Right. Nothing. Right. So, like, it's real embarrassing. And then on top of that, to do a comedic sex scene? Yeah.

Where you're, like, making fun of yourself and have it. They literally, like, try to have the most awkward sex you possibly can. Right. Okay. And with an audience watching that, that's, it's different. I don't want to say it sucks. It's different than you all think it is. Yes, it's different. Hello, I'm Shannon Sharp, and I'm a Rose sponsor. Do you want hotter, more spontaneous sex?

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Okay. But I've met him at WWE. Okay. He's awesome. He is. He's awesome. Like, yeah, he's a great person. Okay, let me ask you this.

Which was harder, the sex scene in Trainwreck or sex scene at the Oscars? The Oscars. Because I got all the people behind the camera of any production, but then I walk out in front of a room of my peers, many of which I've never met because I haven't worked my way up to meet. Right. I have the most decorated performers, producers, directors in one room, and I'm going to go out there with my balls in the wind

with an index card covering my stuff, being like, hey, guys, is this funny? Are we good? Are we all right? That was a... How did they convince you to do that? It was funny. Jimmy Kimmel called me personally.

He's like, I need you to come to the Oscars. I'm like, Jimmy, I'm in between stuff. Like, I need some time to recharge. I know I'm very good with boundaries and self. Like, if I just give me 24 hours and I'm back in, I really needed some time. And he's like, just let me send you the bit. And he sent it on paper.

And I call him back. I'm like, when do you need me there? It wasn't a thing of like, and I honestly thought I would be more naked. Right. I expected full dick and nuts. But it's Disney, so I didn't put tape on my butt crack.

That was even more embarrassing. Going out there with a taped butthole? That's tough. That's tough. But as soon as I read it, and I'm so fortunate that Jimmy Kimmel thought of me, and we went through it in rehearsal. He was like, man, gonna this is gonna be a moment

this is gonna be funny right and only because when i invested i didn't invest i invested i didn't be like i'll do it but i gotta not do this and maybe i'll wear shorts or whatever no i'm like man i want to wear my watch and birkenstocks yeah that's it that's it so it was just knowing that it's an opportunity and investing in that and and i don't know what or if any yield that will have. The money wasn't good. Right. It was a moment to perform in front of my peers. Right.

But I don't know if it got me anything. Right. But I knew that I wanted to do it. You know? Then you did the Suicide Squad with Will Smith, Idris Elba. So these roles are getting bigger and bigger so when you get like damn that's will smith man that's eejit salva does does that thought do you get starstruck when you get all the time and i think a lot of the a lot of the awe comes from

like hey it's i'm starstruck talking to you. You have been able to take something you love and make it your vocation. Not a job, like what you were put here to do. And then after that chapter closes, you are now taking something you love and making it your vocation. To me, I'm in awe of that. Like, that's fucking super cool.

So when I'm standing next to Idris, who's been a performer on screen for decades and operates at a high level, I'm in awe. It's not of what his fame can do for me. If you look at how I operate on social media, I have very hard line boundaries. I don't ever try to treat my relationships with people as transactional.

But damn, do I have respect for people that can take what they love and make it their vocation. I remember meeting Kevin Hart. Kevin is like a fucking Tasmanian devil. Yes. That dude goes. He grinds. He grinds. And if my gearbox stops at like fifth, his goes to tenth.

Yes. And he's on the phone and doing stuff. Hey there, it's Michael Lewis, author of Going Infinite, Moneyball, The Blind Side, and Liar's Poker. On every season of my podcast, Against the Rules, I take a broad look at various characters in American life. The referee, the coach, the expert. My next season's all about fans and what the rise of sports betting is doing to them, to the teams, and even to my family. I'm heading to Las Vegas and New Jersey and beyond to understand America's newest form of legalized gambling. Listen to Against the Rules on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. This week on Dear Chelsea with me, Chelsea Handler, I am joined by the greatest alpine skier of all time, Michaela Schifrin. Michaela talks about the ski accident that changed everything for her, performing while going through grief and what it's like to release the pressure of being the GOAT and so much more. Like I have no right to be winning this race. I really probably shouldn't even be doing it, but I'm here, so I will win.

Listen to this episode of Dear Chelsea on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Wake up with football every morning and listen to my new podcast, NFL Daily with Greg Rosenthal. Five days a week, you'll get all the latest news, previews, recaps, and analysis delivered straight to your podcast feed

by the time you get your coffee. No dumb hot takes here, just smart hot takes. We'll talk every single game, every single week, but I can't do it alone, so I'm bringing in the big guns from NFL media. That's Patrick Claibon, Steve Weiss, Nick Shook, Jordan Rodrigue from The Athletic, and of course, Colleen Wolfe. This is their window right now. This is their Super Bowl window.

Why would they trade him away? Because he would be a pivotal part of them winning that Super Bowl. I don't know why, Colleen. Catch the podcast at NFL Daily with Greg Rosenthal every day. Subscribe today and you'll immediately be smarter and funnier than your friends. And who doesn't want that? Listen now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. All right, roll.

And he immediately snaps into character. He can fucking cry. He can buy, sell. Cut, buy, sell, damn it. He can fucking cry. He can buy, sell. Cut, buy, sell, damn it. And he was trying to give away secrets of like, no, look, this is what you got to do.

You got to do this. I'm like, Kevin, I am so grateful for this information. I'm grateful to even stand next to you. I don't have that gear. Like, thank you so much for the knowledge. And dude, your success is amazing. I just, I wouldn't be good at what you do. I know where my limits are. And it's amazing to watch you work, dude. He was the most, the craziest example of somebody I've seen fluent in so many levels.

Do you get in awe when you see people greatness, having been around LeBron and you watch Jordan, you watch Kobe, you watch Shaq, you watch all these great players in football. I played with John Elway and Ray Lewis and you see Tom Brady and Peyton Manning operated. Do you get in awe? You like, I see exactly why that person he or she's enjoyed the level of success that they've had. And the answer is always the same. It's the work.

By the way, no compliment for the Broncos colors. I the answer is always the same. It's the work. And by the way, no compliment for the Broncos colors. I like that. I like that. That is a loose ditch in the. But I was just thinking, like, you're from Connecticut. That's all right. I'm just trying to be a good guest.

OK, I appreciate that. I'm in your club. I appreciate that. Appreciate that. The answer is always the same. It's the work. Everyone thinks it happens overnight. And a lot of people build this construct of like, oh, they're just lucky.

Luck is a part of life. 100%. When preparation meets opportunity, that's what it is. But man, luck can get you a minute. Luck can get you your five minutes. Luck can get you one hit single. Labor, effort, work allows you to call it your five minutes. Luck can get you one hit single. Labor, effort, work allows you to call it your vocation. And whenever someone rises to the top of their vocation, dude, that is just work.

You know, that is work. That is at a level that it's, I think that we call it luck or people might call it luck because they just, they might have trouble understanding how much work it takes. I'm always in awe because like, yo, I knew how much effort that is. That's a lot of effort. You know, the Fast and the Furious. I mean, are you going to be in the left 11? Oh, I would be in the Fast and the Furious as long as they would have me because it's an action movie about cars. Yes. And we were talking off camera.

You love, you love your car. Dude. So that franchise I'm a fan of to be invited in is awesome. But, uh, I did have a pretty big fiery wreck in the last one. I know that they have a reputation of resurrecting characters.

I hope I made it. They didn't have a funeral for me, so I'm okay. I'm okay. But I hope I made it. I hope I can a funeral for me, so I'm okay. I'm okay, but I hope I made it. I hope I can do the next one. We know you loved UC4 got a new GT out. They got one of twins. Now, about the Ford GT.

Yeah, okay. Yeah, we're going to need that. I think I'll let those find a home. Yeah. Your new movie, Jackpot. How did you prepare for this role? So, every once in a while, a project gets put in your lap that it's like, whoa, I think if we were to shoot this tomorrow,

I'd be okay. I get to be a goofy, virtuous, self-deprecating, larger than life character who owns a fledgling protection agency who I don't know any special skills or anything. I have a few of my own homemade weapons, but I throw people through walls. I lift up heavy things, and I get to make fun of myself. And I get to surround myself with a wonderful comedic cast and a wonderful comic director and writer who are going to fire jokes at other people to make fun of me. Yeah, I can do that. So this is one of those ones where it wasn't like, man, I had to take six months to get in the inside the mind of Noel.

Like it was like, yo, this is a bunch of great jokes. The script is great. What would you do if you won the lottery and had to make it to sundown, but everyone else with a ticket could kill you and claim their prize? Wow. Like it's an easy concept to understand. Great cast, fun action,

like, and not asking too much of me. They weren't like, Hey, we need you to go learn this ancient martial art. No, it's just like, you want to throw people through walls and haymakers and stuff.

And yeah, no, that's fine. How did, um, do you do your own stunts? In this movie? A lot of the participation was me because the stunt coordinators are like,

okay, he's big. He's lumbering. He's unorthodox at times. That's how we're going to plan our action. And because it's an action comedy, you watch Jackie Chan's old stuff. Yes. Very gifted.

But he does action comedy. He's not afraid to make fun of himself. They also knew that I was game to do that stuff. Right. So a lot of the physical jokes I'm a part of as well. I was game to do that stuff. So a lot of the physical jokes I'm a part of as well. So if somebody really tried to hire you to protect them,

the billion jackpot, how much, what type of percentage are we looking for? So I don't, so chances are if they were to meet their demise and I'm, I'm probably their protector. So I'm going down in a blaze of glory. I would ask for 90% because I don't, I don't think we're going to make it.

90, 90% of dead is still dead. I don't think we're going to make it. You know? So let me ask you a question. Let's say the roles are reversed. You want a billion dollars. Yeah.

I, I think finding, finding someone with a special set of skills, I don't... But then again, I don't know, right? Because if you have someone who is so skilled in the arts of stealth, espionage, disposing of problems, maybe at the final minute, they go into business for themselves. You know what i'm saying they get the ticket it would it would have to be someone that doesn't have a lottery ticket

right if you can't play you can't win right so they don't have a ticket right and they would have that special set of skills and i don't know who that would be let me ask you this owning your own name um wwe still currently owns that and they get a piece of any project that you're a part of. Sure. You okay with that? Or do you like one day? Because remember, they just gave DJ Dwayne Johnson. They just gave him the rock. He has that now. Do you want that?

You want that bestowed upon you? No. So when you say that, like, I believe context is very important in conversations. The WWE fair is an understatement. Generous would be a better scenario. I have such a trustworthy relationship with them over two decades. I am a champion of the brand. I love the company.

It is my home. They are my family. Even after 2025, I've already signed an extension to remain a member of the WWE family for the near, mid, and long-term future. Gotcha. I don't think there'll be a beat of my heart where WWE blood doesn't come out of. That said, without them, I don't exist. And I fell into a weird scenario where, for a hot second, people were using their real names.

Nowadays, people have real-sounding names, but it's not their real names, so they can own their real names. So have real sounding names but it's not their real name so they can own their real name so i fell into a weird scenario and wwe recognizes that they're very focused on intellectual property as they should be right if if i make a song and somebody wants to use the time is now on their commercial and they just steal it well that's not exactly fair. There's a huge conversation in the movie business about artificial intelligence. If someone scans me, takes my face and makes 200 movies in their own accord without giving me anything, I don't know how fair that is.

So in the vision of fairness, whenever the WWIP is approached, they have to be cut in on the deal. And that's not them going, that's me going, Hey, I'm doing this. Let's work out the business. A wise man once said to me, making money is the toughest part, dividing it. That's easy making it's real tough. So I always operate under that construct. WWE has been, and this since the start of my contract, they've never tried to change my name, even when they realized they made a mistake. They never tried to alter my being or character.

They've always given me freedom to do what I want because we trust each other. I'm not out to try to rob them of what they've earned. And again, they're not out to try to take what's not theirs. Everybody wants to play fair. And when I say fair, WWE's terms are generous. You've been in the stock market. You like to invest. So what was some of the best advice that you've received and some of the best advice that you've given people to help them be able to do what you've done, John?

You are all over the map, and I love this. This is great. This is great. Don't spend beyond your means. Okay. I think think that is important to is that easier said than done yes yes because of that because of a lot of things but i'll trim it make it easy don't spend what you don't have and try to spend less than you have so you can save a little bit. Don't carry debt because, and I know that's not a universal thing because there are many people who would advocate when the percentage of debt is low, carrying debt's good because I can beat the percentage in other investments. I'm just afraid one day they're going to call the margin and I don't have the money. Right.

So I tend to not want to owe anyone anything. That way, all tabs are square at the end of the business day. Don't spend more than you have. Don't carry any bad debt. And be accountable. And know who you are. If you're someone who wants to get rich quick, there's nothing wrong with that. Right. If you're someone who wants to get rich quick, there's nothing wrong with that. Understand the math behind that. Talk to a venture capitalist and ask them how many of their assets fail.

A venture capitalist will invest in 400 companies, hoping one survives. There's yield from one. So if you're at home with your $100 and you want to get rich quick, you got to take that 100 bucks, somehow bet on 400 companies and hope one hits. But if you push it all into one, you are locked into that hook, line, and sinker. So I think know who you are as an investor. Dude, I try to be safe. My stuff is the most unsexy shit

you'll ever talk about. And people always are like, man, this thing's going to smoke. It's going to be great. Good for you. And I'm also okay. Hey there, it's Michael Lewis, author of Going Infinite, Moneyball, They're like, man, this thing's going to smoke. It's going to be great. Good for you. And I'm also OK. Hey there, it's Michael Lewis, author of Going Infinite, Moneyball, The Blind Side, and Liar's Poker.

On every season of my podcast, Against the Rules, I take a broad look at various characters in American life. The referee, the coach, the expert. My next season's all about fans and what the rise of sports betting is doing to them, to the teams, and even to my family. I'm heading to Las Vegas and New Jersey and beyond to understand America's newest form of legalized gambling. Listen to Against the Rules on the iHeartRadio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. This week on Dear Chelsea with me, Chelsea Handler, I am joined by the greatest alpine skier of all time, Michaela Schifrin. Michaela talks about the ski accident that changed everything for her, performing while going through grief, and what it's like to release the pressure

of being the GOAT, and so much more. Like, I have no right to be winning this race. I really probably shouldn't even be doing it, but I'm here, so I will win. Listen to this episode of Dear Chelsea on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Wake up with football every morning and listen to my new podcast, NFL Daily with Greg Rosenthal. Five days a week, you'll get all the latest news, previews, recaps, and analysis delivered straight to your podcast feed by the time you get your coffee.

No dumb hot takes here, just smart hot takes. We'll talk every single game, every single week, but I can't do it alone, so I'm bringing in the big guns from NFL media. That's Patrick Claibon, Steve Weiss, Nick Shook, Jordan Rodrigue from The Athletic, and of course, Colleen Wolfe. This is their window right now. This is their Super Bowl window.

Why would they trade him away? Because he would be a pivotal part of them winning that Super Bowl. I don't know why, Colleen. Catch the podcast at NFL Daily with Greg Rosenthal every day. Subscribe today and you'll immediately be smarter and funnier than your friends. And who doesn't want that? Listen now on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or

wherever you get your podcasts. man this i like this club can i get one of those fancy lockers here this is a good so know who you are yeah and and i think keeping up with the person next to you is a bad idea just always try to have a good balance sheet look at your books look at where you want to be and and look at like look at what you spend look what where you want to be and look at like, look at what you spend, look at what you earn, look what you spend it on. Right. I think getting out of the habit of spending more than you make that right there changes the dynamic of everything. If you have enough money to begin saving money, holy shit, you are beating the game. If you have no debt and can put money away, you're ahead. What's John's best purchase and

his worst purchase? Worst purchase? Oof. Man, I made a ton of bad purchases. Bad purchases would have to be cars. A lot of bad cars. I have lost

so much money on cars. And that's another thing. Be okay with your failures. Right. I love cars. It's a passion. I don't do it to make money. So I lose money on them. Right.

Because it's a passion. Right. I bought, I remember when I started making money, my worst purchase is a, because I didn't want a spring for a Lamborghini. Right. So I bought a fake one. Oh my goodness. How do you buy a fake Lambo? I found a way to do it.

So we had a Lambo body with a Ford engine? A BMW V12. And I was like, yeah, this is like 2003. I found a company that would do it. They put a V12 in it. I'm like, man, it's the same thing. It looks pretty good. Like, it looks great.

Yeah, I'll buy it. They tried to stiff me out of the car. I had to ask some friends who knew how to find things to go and find things. I then had to get a title for the car, of which I did. The car finally shows up after two years from me waiting. It doesn't go into gear. The motor is held together with the timing of two Chevy V6s. So everything's confused. Nothing runs. The car is not roadworthy. So I sent it to a shop. This is 2005.

I just got the keys to that car a week ago. What? A week ago. I sent it to 10 shops. I finally found somebody to do it. They did it tip to tail. And I will tell you, it looks great. But I can honestly say, I have the cost and the collectible Lamborghini market is thriving. I have the cost of about a real Roadster and a half into this kid car. You could have just bought a brand new one. I could have bought two, sawed one in half, and just one and a half cars. Be like, yeah, this is it. Right.

Yeah. But that was a lesson to be like, hey, if you take shortcuts, you're going to get what you pay for. So that was my takeaway from that. And also, like, I don't regret it because I have a takeaway. And in the process, I met a whole lot of shady shop owners, which are great, which allows me to feel good about a good shop owner when I meet a good mechanic and someone who can do honest work. So there's a lot of good takeaways from that. But as far as like statistics, boy, I got my ass whipped on that. Best purchase? Shit, my wife's engagement ring. She said yes.

We're going to get to that one too. Fame. How have you been able to deal with fame? Because you're known, you're global. You're known the world over. And sometimes when you're out with your wife, you just want to have a nice quiet evening. You don't get very many of those.

And then, John, can I get a picture? John, can you sign an autograph? Hey, John, hey, this is my brother on FaceTime. Say hello to my brother. Can you wish my wife happy birthday? It's our anniversary. How do you deal with that? So that's been a journey. And man, my wife is tremendous with that because she understands it. And again, I just talked about the kit. You buy a kit, you get a kit, not a real one. Find out what you want. If what I want is privacy, don't go out, stay in. And if you want to go out, guess what? All this fun work that you get to do, a lot of that job is public service and public relations. And these people aren't coming up to me and like, yo, I want to fight you. No one's really coming up to me and like, I fucking hate.

Right. Everybody was like, yo, I just want to say hi. Their candor sometimes might be a little, it's not what I would see as, but I don't blame them. So I try not to blame them. Now, I'm not perfect sometimes if i'm especially when i'm going for a morning coffee i need the coffee before i can hey what's up um but i also know that when i leave the house for coffee i'm leaving the house it's it's part of the work and in wrestling travel jeez i wish i wish every game was a home game. Yes.

The travel in sports is tough. Yes. But it's part of the work. This is part of the work. And you know what I get to do for my job? Dress up. So like dress up and be imaginative. It's not that those moments aren't hard.

And it's not that, and I think overall people are aware. I'm sorry to interrupt you. They know what's going on. Right. But damn it, they're shooting their shot. Life just gave them an opportunity. They're taking it.

Probably never going to see John Cena again. I would like to hope that if there's ever been an interaction where somebody walks away gnarly from our interaction, they understand that maybe like wasn't a good time to take that opportunity. We're all human. But I also would like to think that I got more good interactions than bad ones because I really try to be conscious of, first of all, I would be nowhere without that person. Correct.

And I'll go to places and people are like, yo, do you want me to stop people from coming over? I'm like, they're the reason I can sit here. So no, because man, let's, let's get everybody. I'll say hi to 80 people and then we can all go about our meal. Right. And everything's fine. Right.

But normally, people are respectful. They're excited. You know, and it only takes a few seconds. The biggest thing is, like, I'm going to the bathroom. That's tough. Yeah, yeah. We ain't shaking no hands. Don't be daffing.

Stop all that talking, too. But again, people don't know. So I'll literally- What do you mean you don't know? You ain't supposed to talk to nobody in the bathroom, John. I know, man. Not in the urinal. I know. So I'll literally. What do you mean you don't know? You ain't supposed to talk to nobody in the bathroom, John. I know, man. Not in the urinal. I know.

So I'll take a second. I used to be real confrontational, but now I'll take a second as the business is going on. Yeah. Be like, you do realize where we are. Yeah. Right? No, you're in a bathroom. There's other people.

Yeah. We're all doing unspeakable things. Yeah. I'm good, but can we do that outside? Oh, man. I i'm sorry i didn't know they won't they reach over hey man oh no how you gonna reach over come on bro because sometimes you get lost in the moment and a lot of times it's like oh he's finally private he's at a time where i can approach him when it's the worst time. That, and if I got to be somewhere, like a lot of times on

set, they're calling me into work. Those days are expensive. I'll shake as many hands as I can after they call cut. Right. Because people will come to these locations and it's great. But if I got to go, I got to go because the days are expensive. And while they move the lights, then we can talk. Or if I'm trying to make a flight, like that's also the worst of like, oh my God, I got to run for the gate. Hey man, I've made people like, yo, keep up and you got to take your picture while you're walking. It's only because I just don't have the time. And I'd like to think that any other human being can understand like, oh shit, maybe he just didn't have the time. And if they don't, again, I'm in customer service and I lose that customer.

Hopefully I get opportunities to do good work and earn them back. Right. I'm going to get you out of here on this one. I think I've read this and it could be maybe somebody just reported it was a lie at one point in time that you didn't want kids. Where are you on kids now? I don't want them. You don't? No, I'm still there.

I'm 47. I don't have them. You don't want a little Johnny? So, so. Or Joanna? That's great. And that's usually what everyone says. And I got to tell you, it's not the easiest out there because a lot of why we're here is to reproduce. I have a certain curiosity about life. And I also know the investment that it takes. And my biggest fear is, as someone who's driven, many times stubborn and selfish, I try to approach the world with kindness and curiosity. But I don't think I'm personally ready, nor will I ever be, to invest the time it needs to be a great parent.

Because I want to live life for all it is. And I still have a lot to do and I still want to do a lot. I have a wonderful partner I do it with. We've had open conversations about this. We share the same values. It's a tough subject to talk about because it immediately puts you in a category and we can't help but judge. Human nature, we're all judgmental. I'd like to believe that I operate under the construct that everyone's okay living their life and I can tell you this is not like a knee-jerk reaction.

I've thought long and hard about this, even as my youngest age is like 15, 16. I remember thinking about it. My opinions only hit that gray area during emotionally difficult times. And I'm very happy with where I stand. I have a lot of joy and fulfillment in my life. And that's pretty much where I stand on that. Was that a difficult conversation to have with your wife? No, it was actually, I learned from every scenario. Okay.

And I've learned from my past. Yeah, because you had a reality show, right? I did. And it was played, oh man. So that, no, no, no. Again, I don't regret that. Okay. I look back on that fondly because it really showed me who I was.

Okay. So when I begin, I got knocked off the bike. That's okay. I love love. Time to get back up and go find it again. And in that due process, I open with the uncomfortable conversations. So those are like first and second date questions with my now wife. Yeah.

And it was great because we both got to lean into these uncomfortable moments and address this stuff. And now we've actually built a foundation where whenever one of us is feeling bothered, nothing's off the table. Right. So we, of course, nobody's perfect. We have our disagreements, but we handle them right then and there. And nothing is too uncomfortable to be unapproachable.

And that's like starting off with a conversation about, hey, where do you see family life? And what is the definition of our family? And what brings you joy? And is this a bucket that you need to fill? Those conversations have helped me at least personally and her forge a path together as a team. You show up and like,

this is about to be the shortest date in the world. Where are you on? But I also believe there's something out somebody out there for everyone yes i mean they're they're we can see that the way the world is there is a lot of different people out there and i think that's beautiful because that can lead to love connection which is good okay i guess my takeaway on this is if you're out there and you feel alone, you're not. It may be hard to find someone who has the same values, but they're out there. And don't give up searching because you're not as alone as you think you are.

John Cena. I'll do this one. Nice. Thank you, bro. I appreciate your time. Congratulations. The new movie, Jackpot. Check it out.

Man, thank you so much. Thank you, bro. You are great at this. Jeez. Congratulations. The new movie, Jackpot. Check it out. Man, thank you so much. Thank you, bro. You are great at this. She is awesome. Everyone, make sure you go out and catch Jackpot. It's streaming globally on Prime Video. Hey there, it's Michael Lewis, author of Going Infinite, Moneyball, The Blind Side, and Liar's Poker.

On the latest season of my podcast, Against the Rules, I'm exploring what it means to be a sports fan in America and what the rise of sports betting is doing to our teams, our states, and ourselves. Join me and listen to Against the Rules on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Open your free iHeart app and search Against the Rules. Listen to Against the Rules on the iHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. This week on Dear Chelsea with me, Chelsea Handler, I am joined by the greatest alpine skier of all time,

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