The Astoundingly Tender Age John Cena Started Weightlifting – 6 Facts about the WWE Star That Prove He’s a God of Discipline

John Cena is a symbol of proper discipline for good reason.

The Astoundingly Tender Age John Cena Started Weightlifting – 6 Facts about the WWE Star That Prove He’s a God of Discipline

SUMMARY

  • John Cena is one of the true GOATs of professional wrestling.
  • Many consider him the master of discipline.
  • He once even wrestled through a torn pectoral muscle injury.
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John Cena’s tenure in WWE stands as one of the most illustrious in the sport’s history, cementing his position as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, if not the greatest. Widely regarded as one of WWE’s biggest icons, Cena’s legacy is unparalleled, matching Ric Flair’s record with 16 World Championship victories.

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From his memorable WWE Championship triumph against JBL at WrestleMania 21 in 2005 to his legendary clashes with The Rock at WrestleMania, Cena’s career is adorned with iconic moments and matches that firmly establish him as a future Hall of Famer.

6 Amazing Facts About John Cena That Prove His Discipline Prowess

The former Doctor of Thuganomics has proven himself to be more than just a persona; he’s a talented wrestler. While some fans may have overlooked this fact over the past decade, there’s no denying now that John Cena is one of the best in the business. In fact, that’s because he is incredibly disciplined and we will list 6 facts about him that prove that.

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1) John Cena Started Weightlifting When He Was Just 12

John Cena in the indies
John Cena, source: WWE

To combat intense bullying, John Cena turned to weightlifting, immersing himself in gym culture at just 15 years old.

I started working out when I was 12 years old,” Cena revealed to Jimmy Fallon in 2019. “And by the time I was 15, I was 150 pounds, and by the time I was 17, I was 225 pounds. So needless to say, I wasn’t being picked on.”

Unbeknownst to Cena at the time, this dedication to training would lay the groundwork for a lifelong career as a professional wrestler. Reflecting on this period, Cena shared with CBS News [via The Things] in July 2017, “As horrible as a time as it was for me, it was a catalyst for me to find a passion in my life. Everyone goes through those moments of self-doubt.”

2) He Slept In His Car Early In His Wrestling Career

John Cena as the Prototype
The Prototype, source: WWE

During his early years as an unsigned prospect attempting to break into WWE in the early 2000s, John Cena faced significant financial struggles. While training in UPW alongside wrestlers like Samoa Joe, Cena frequently found himself unable to afford hotels and was forced to live out of his car for extended periods.

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Enduring many challenging nights sleeping in parking lots, Cena demonstrated relentless persistence and work ethic even when facing adversity, showcasing his unwavering determination to succeed in the wrestling industry.

3) John Cena Holds A Record of Granting The Most Wishes at Make-A-Wish Foundation

John Cena smiling
John Cena with a Make-A-Wish kid, source: WWE

John Cena’s impact extends beyond the wrestling ring, as he is a staunch advocate for giving back to the community. One of his most notable contributions is his involvement with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to critically ill children between the ages of 2.5 and 18 years old.

Cena’s dedication to this cause is remarkable, as he has helped fulfil 650 wishes, making him the highest-requested celebrity by the foundation. His commitment to making a difference in the lives of these children is truly commendable and sets a remarkable example for others to follow.

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4) John Cena Spends 30 Minutes Every Day Shaving His Body Hair

John Cena and Batista
John Cena at Royal Rumble 2005, source: WWE

John Cena is far from low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. The WWE superstar, who is recently engaged, takes his grooming routine seriously, dedicating a significant amount of time to it every day.

In an interview with PeopleStyle, Cena reveals,

“I’m completely manscaped from head to toe — from the ears down — so that takes a bit of time.” He goes on to mention that he spends 30 minutes to an hour each day on shaving alone. “I’m constantly trying to stay up on fine lines in my skin and that stuff, so I’m a lot more grooming-centric than you would realize,” Cena adds. “My routine is a lot more than you would think — I’d say it’s a strong 7 ½ out of 10.”

This simply goes to show how dedicated and disciplined John Cena remains in his daily life no matter what.

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5) He Has A Degree In Exercise Physiology

John Cena talking
John Cena speech, source: WWE

One aspect that set John Cena apart from many college athletes was his commitment to completing his education. Unlike others who may have left college early to pursue their athletic careers, Cena stayed long enough to earn a degree. In 1998, he graduated from Springfield College in Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology and movement studies.

This educational background likely provided him with a solid foundation for his career as a bodybuilder and later as a professional wrestler.

In a 2013 interview with Men’s Fitness, Cena emphasized the value of his education, stating,

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“A bachelor’s covers only the basics. But if you have a general knowledge about how the body works, you can tell when your body’s worn and when it’s not, what you can take, what the human body is capable of.”

This understanding of human physiology undoubtedly contributed to Cena’s ability to endure the physical demands of his profession and excel in the ring.

6) John Cena Won A Match With A Torn Pectoral Muscle

John Cena hurt
John Cena vs Mr. Kennedy, source: WWE

WWE stars face numerous challenges in the ring, from Triple H’s throat or thigh injuries to Stone Cold’s neck issues and Shawn Michaels’ numerous in-match injuries. Despite these obstacles, wrestlers must get creative and find ways to continue the match.

In a memorable example, during a match against Mr. Kennedy in 2007, John Cena tore his pectoral muscle completely away from the bone. Despite the severe injury, Cena didn’t just endure the rest of the match; he persevered to the end, visibly favoring his injury, and even emerged victorious. This display of determination and resilience was a great example of Cena’d discipline and infinite determination to get the job done no matter what.

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Written by Subhojeet Mookherjee

Articles Published: 499

Subhojeet Mookherjee is a Freelance Entertainment Writer for FandomWire. A lover and expert in all things movies, games, TV shows, music and more. I've been in the writing business for over five years now, covering various topics all over the world. I love engaging in deep conversations with like-minded people.