🎯 All Moments (43)
Click any moment to jump to that point in the video
Why WWE Stars Struggle to Break into Hollywood
John Cena explains the demanding nature of WWE's schedule, highlighting why it's incredibly difficult for active wrestlers, even top acts, to take time off for film projects, impacting their career transition opportunities.
John Cena on WWE's Independent Grind: Weed Out the Uncommitted
John Cena reveals that early in his WWE career, performers had to handle their own travel and hotels, a system that built independence and filtered out those who weren't fully dedicated, much like the demanding life of a touring stand-up comic.
The Adrenaline Aftermath: Why Touring Life Destroys Relationships
John Cena and Joe Rogan discuss the post-performance adrenaline rush that makes it hard to wind down for touring comics and wrestlers, and how the constant travel and exposure to difficult personalities on the road make maintaining normal relationships incredibly challenging.
Cadaver vs. Patella Tendon ACL: The Recovery & 'AIDS' Myth
Joe Rogan and John Cena discuss the vast differences in recovery time and invasiveness between cadaver Achilles tendon grafts and patella tendon grafts for ACL repair, including the common, unfounded fear of getting AIDS from cadaver tissue.
John Cena: Learning a Language Doesn't Mean Knowing the Culture
John Cena shares a profound lesson from his decade-long study of Mandarin: knowing a language doesn't automatically grant understanding of its culture, a tough hill he faced in his pursuit of fluency.
John Cena on WWE's True Meritocracy: The 'Sound of Money'
John Cena explains that despite backstage politics, WWE operates as a meritocracy where fan reaction, or 'the sound of money,' dictates who gets opportunities. If the crowd responds, even if management or peers dislike a performer, they will get another match.
The 24/7 Grind of Internet Content Creators
John Cena and Joe Rogan discuss the immense, often unseen, work ethic of content creators. They explain how these individuals are essentially working 24/7 due to the short shelf life of digital content and constant pressure to stay relevant.
Vince McMahon Hated My Hip-Hop Persona at First - John Cena
John Cena reveals that Vince McMahon initially disliked his 'white hip-hop guy' persona because Cena's execution didn't align with Vince's specific vision for the character. However, Vince eventually allowed Cena the creative freedom to run with it due to its audience success.
John Cena's Collaborative Approach to WWE Creative Control
John Cena describes his strategy for creative control in WWE, particularly for iconic entrances. Instead of dictating, he collaborates with production, lighting, and camera teams, valuing their expertise and ideas to collectively craft the best presentation, demonstrating effective teamwork and leadership.
The Danger of Being Mouthy: Why Diplomacy Always Wins
Joe Rogan and John Cena highlight the consequences of being 'mouthy' if you've never been in a real fight, emphasizing the unpredictable escalation of violence and the importance of choosing diplomacy over confrontation.
Is Pain a Personal Experience? Joe Rogan and John Cena on Pain Thresholds
Joe Rogan and John Cena discuss whether pain is a personal experience, comparing it to varying tolerances for hot sauce. Rogan shares an anecdote about his mother's incredibly high pain tolerance, demonstrating how individuals can experience pain very differently.
UFC's Impact: 10% of Men Have Martial Arts Skills Now?
Joe Rogan and John Cena discuss the significant increase in martial arts proficiency among men due to the UFC's popularity, noting how many learn and practice techniques from watching TV, sometimes dangerously mimicking WWE moves at home.
The Insane Reality of WWE's Touring Schedule: 220 Matches a Year
John Cena details the intense physical toll and demanding travel schedule of WWE, comparing it to touring stand-up comedians, highlighting the constant trauma and relentless travel.
Joe Rogan Raves About John Cena's Iconic WrestleMania Heel Turn
Joe Rogan expresses awe at John Cena's recent 'heel turn' at WrestleMania, calling it one of the greatest in wrestling history. He highlights the dramatic shift from Cena's usual good-guy persona to a cold, dark character, and the profound impact it had on the audience.
John Cena's Minimalist WrestleMania Entrance: A Masterclass in Heeldom
Joe Rogan details the genius of John Cena's WrestleMania heel turn entrance – a stark black background with white letters, no music or pyro – which powerfully conveyed an anti-entertainment message. Cena proudly states his 'masters is in heeldom,' highlighting his love for playing the bad guy.
John Cena's Lesson: Why You Must Take Accountability and Avoid Reactivity
John Cena reflects on the aftermath of his Taiwan comment, emphasizing personal accountability over blaming others. He shares a crucial lesson: the importance of taking a breath and not being reactive in difficult situations, which can prevent making things worse.
The Magic Behind Wrestling's Super Kick
John Cena reveals a classic wrestling secret: how performers make a 'super kick' look incredibly impactful without actually hitting their opponent, by slapping their leg at the precise moment of impact to create a convincing sound effect.
John Cena on His Taiwan Controversy: Almost Got Canceled for Doing My Homework
John Cena recounts the intense backlash and personal turmoil after unknowingly referring to Taiwan as a country during a press tour in Mandarin, leading to apologies, anger from both sides, and a near-cancellation. He highlights the lesson that language fluency doesn't equate to cultural understanding.
John Cena's Ultimate Goal: To Live Useful
John Cena reveals his personal philosophy and ultimate goal beyond acting or wrestling: to live a useful life filled with purpose, emphasizing that external success is secondary to internal fulfillment.
The Undertaker's Epic WrestleMania Surprise - Even His Wife Didn't Know!
Joe Rogan shares an incredible story about The Undertaker's secret WrestleMania appearance, where he snuck away from his wife and podcast co-host in a suite to make a surprise entrance, highlighting the old-school tradition of keeping wrestling secrets even from loved ones.
John Cena's Incredible Pain Tolerance: 10 Surgeries, Zero Pain Pills
John Cena reveals his extensive history of serious injuries and surgeries, including neck fusion and reattached muscles, yet he has never taken a single pain pill. He explains his strong conviction that opioids are a 'slippery road' and shares how medical staff are often surprised by his refusal.
Joe Rogan on Why He Stopped Taking Pain Pills: "I Can't Be This Dumb"
Joe Rogan recounts his first experience with Vicodin after knee surgery, describing how it made him feel "stupid" and distracted from the pain without truly helping. This led to his decision to avoid pain medication for all subsequent surgeries, preferring to "deal with the suck" and overcome the anxiety of pain naturally.
MMA Fighters' ACL Re-Injury: The Cadaver Graft Secret
John Cena explains the biological process of cadaver tendon grafts, where the body replaces the foreign tissue with its own cells over six months, leading to a dangerous period where athletes feel better before they are fully healed, often resulting in re-injury due to impatience.
Why Losing a Fight is Incredibly Valuable for Life
Joe Rogan and John Cena discuss the subjective nature of pain and how experiencing loss and 'getting your ass kicked' early in life, like growing up with siblings, builds resilience and teaches valuable lessons for overcoming challenges.
John Cena on WWE vs. UFC: Why Wrestlers Have Longer Careers
John Cena contrasts the career longevity in WWE and UFC, explaining that WWE performers can have 10-20 year careers because they choreograph risks and work together with opponents to put on a show, unlike the true combat nature of UFC.
John Cena on the 'Selfishness' of Chasing Extreme Success
John Cena candidly discusses how achieving peak success in WWE required an all-consuming, 'selfish' dedication, demanding constant focus and the sacrifice of personal relationships and family events.
The Grind Weeds Out Talent: Why Hard Work Trumps Natural Ability
Joe Rogan and John Cena argue that true talent encompasses consistent hard work and dedication, not just natural ability. They explain how the relentless 'grind' of constantly improving and making sacrifices is what truly weeds out many talented people who lack the drive to reach the top.
John Cena Reveals Why Backstage Hated His 'White Hip-Hop Guy' Persona
John Cena recounts how his 'white hip-hop guy' persona, which involved breaking dress codes and disrespecting peers, earned him backstage animosity. Believing he was going to be fired, he took big risks, but the audience's positive reaction ultimately saved his job and led to a 23-year career.
John Cena on Why the Audience is the 'Act' in Live Performance
John Cena articulates the crucial role of the audience in live entertainment, explaining how their energy can elevate a performance and allow artists to 'pivot' and adapt their set in real-time. He emphasizes that universal human emotions like betrayal, excitement, and disappointment make live moments resonate across cultures and language barriers.
The Brutal Funnel of Success in Pro Wrestling and Stand-Up Comedy
John Cena vividly illustrates the extreme difficulty of reaching the top in highly competitive fields like pro wrestling (WWE's NXT program) and stand-up comedy. He explains that out of thousands of aspiring talents, only a tiny fraction, perhaps one in 6,000 over several years, will make it to the main roster, highlighting the immense competition and the common pitfalls like self-sabotage that prevent many from succeeding.
John Cena on Mending a Shitty Relationship with His Father and Finding Mentors
John Cena shares a deeply personal account of reconciling with his 80-year-old father, emphasizing the challenge of accepting people for who they are rather than who you want them to be. He reveals that his father's 'absence' actually led him to find invaluable male mentors, like Dave Knock and a dean of students, who provided crucial structure, discipline, and opportunities that shaped him into an adult, highlighting how perceived shortcomings can lead to unexpected sources of guidance.
From 'Run Out of Town' to Hollywood: John Cena's Acting Redemption
John Cena candidly shares his initial struggles in acting, admitting he lacked passion and got 'run out of the movie business' after making several 'shitty movies.' He details how a second chance, particularly with 'Train Wreck' and the supportive environment created by comedians like Amy Schumer and Jud Apatow, taught him the value of patience, being coachable, and embracing failure. This pivot, driven by introspection and a willingness to invest the same hustle he put into wrestling, allowed him to slowly build a successful acting career.
From West Newbury to Hollywood: John Cena's Unlikely Path
John Cena reflects on his humble beginnings in West Newbury, Massachusetts, expressing profound gratitude and disbelief at the opportunities he's received, emphasizing his core philosophy of honoring that luck by living a good life.
Joe Rogan's Early Days: Sleeping on a Bean Bag at the Comedy Store
Joe Rogan recounts his extremely humble beginnings working 14-16 hour days at the Comedy Store, struggling to pay rent for a couch, and eventually being downgraded to a bean bag, all while pursuing his passion for comedy.
What Do You Deserve? John Cena Challenges Entitlement
John Cena sharply criticizes the 'deserve mentality,' arguing that true success comes from earning it, not feeling entitled. He challenges listeners to reflect on whether they've earned their position and what steps they'll take if they haven't.
Joe Rogan: Kill Tony is Basically a WWE Event
Joe Rogan draws a fascinating parallel between Tony Hinchcliffe's 'Kill Tony' show and a WWE event, explaining how Tony uses surprises, panel dynamics, and guest reveals (like Joey Diaz during a 'feud' with Trump) to create an engaging, chaotic, and theatrical experience that deeply resonates with the audience, much like professional wrestling.
John Cena's Career-Saving 'Happy Accident': How His Rap Gimmick Began
John Cena shares the incredible 'happy accident' that launched his iconic rap persona. Facing imminent termination from WWE, he freestyled on a bus during an overseas tour, catching the attention of Stephanie McMahon, who offered him a TV spot that ultimately saved his career and led to superstardom.
John Cena's Intentional Struggle: Sleeping in His Car at Golds Gym
John Cena shares a powerful story of choosing to live in his 91 Continental in the Golds Gym parking lot in Venice, despite having a home to return to. This intentional sacrifice allowed him to immerse himself in the bodybuilding world and pursue his dreams.
Nvidia CEO's Secret: Fear of Failure Drives 7-Day Work Week
Joe Rogan recounts a conversation with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who reveals he works seven days a week, even on vacation, driven by a profound fear of failure, answering thousands of emails daily and waking up at 4:30 AM to maintain his company's position at the top.
Your Phone is Your Opportunity: Starting Your Creator Journey
John Cena and Joe Rogan highlight the incredible accessibility of content creation today, emphasizing that anyone with a phone has the potential to start making videos and find an audience, removing traditional barriers to entry for aspiring entertainers.
Dominic Mysterio's Innovative Cheating: A Masterclass in Wrestling Humor
John Cena shares a hilarious and detailed anecdote about Dominic Mysterio's unique and innovative cheating during a triple threat match. He recounts how Dominic, embodying the 'cheating and lying' traits of Eddie Guerrero, surprised everyone by faking ringing the bell to break a submission hold, creating a moment that Cena, despite 35 years of watching wrestling, had never seen before. This story highlights the brilliance of creative rule-breaking and humor in live entertainment.
John Cena: Why Saying 'Yes' to Life's Crazy Opportunities is Key to Success
John Cena shares his 'optimism bias' and philosophy of actively embracing opportunities, even when they seem daunting or out of his comfort zone. He recounts instances like being the first wrestler to 'retire' for a storyline, almost joining the Marines, and famously going naked at the Oscars for a Jimmy Kimmel bit, all to illustrate that choosing the hard path of saying 'yes' leads to growth and unique experiences, while sitting on the couch is the easy way out.
John Cena's Definition of a Fulfilled Life
John Cena explains that a fulfilled life isn't about the 'grind' or monetary success, but about sound sleep, real love, and being driven by curiosity and purpose every day, offering a profound perspective on personal well-being.