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Man Meets Up With Struggling Family at a Park - Theyre Shocked to See His Friend Standing Behind Them
Uplifting News

Man Meets Up With Struggling Family at a Park - Theyre Shocked to See His Friend Standing Behind Them

Losing someone you love is never easy. In grief, the best thing many of us can do is find a purpose in our loss and honor the person who is no longer with us. In that way, we create meaning in our lives and, hopefully, make a difference.Two parents who lost their child to cancer are determined to do exactly that. What they weren’t expecting, though, was a visit from one of the biggest celebrities in the world to help them do it.A Devastating LossEsperanza and Edwin are in mourning after losing their daughter, Lily Rose, to cancer in August 2023. But as they approach the year anniversary of her death, they’re finding solace in creating the Live for Lily Rose Foundation, a foundation dedicated to helping other children like her.The goal of the foundation is to turn devastation into comfort and joy for other families, thus extending the light that Lily had as far and wide as possible. It isn’t an easy journey, but it’s an important one that means a lot to the family.Isaiah Garza, a social media influencer whose purpose is to help others and do good, spent time with Lily Rose before she passed and knew the family well. When he learned they were putting their plans for a foundation into action, he called up a buddy for help: The Rock.In a video shared on Garza’s YouTube page, he met with the couple at a park and explained he had a friend who wanted to help them. “My friend wants to meet you guys. I told him your story, and I know it’s been a tough journey,” he explained before asking them to turn around. When they saw who was there, they were shocked.A Hidden ConnectionEsperanza began sobbing when she saw The Rock (a.k.a. Dwayne Johnson) standing there. Moana was one of Lily Rose’s favorite movies, and she particularly loved Maui. Johnson, of course, voiced Maui in the 2016 Disney film.“[Sometimes we] turn it on just to hear the music and to feel her… oh my God I’m in shock,” she said.“One of the last videos I have of my baby is singing that song with her,” Edwin added.“I’m so honored to meet you guys and I… our daughter is going to turn eight in about a month,” Johnson said. “Isaiah told me your story and I’m so sorry. I know what Lily Rose meant to you guys. It’s so heartbreaking, but there was something out of it that was really inspiring,” he continued, referencing the foundation.He then handed the grieving parents a check for $50,000. “She and I always talked about helping kids, and as she was passing, I made a promise to help kiddos in her name,” a tearful Esperanza said. “When she passed I said, ‘I have to do it. I have to do it.’ And we did.”Making a DifferenceThe parents couldn’t believe Johnson's generosity and promised that his contribution would make a big difference. Edwin added that he knew Johnson had been blessed and thanked him for giving back. He explained that’s what they want to do in Lily Rose’s memory now.“We were forced into a world that we knew nothing about. This monster, which is cancer tried to take her from us,” he choked out through tears. “And she fought and fought, and she lived another three beautiful years. I don’t know man, just thank you. That money’s going to go a long way to help a lot of kids,” he continued.“We’re going to help these kids because we lived it. We know it… we know that feeling as a parent. We really do want to help these families because these memories are all we have left.”Finding a PurposeIt’s impossible to watch the exchange without tearing up. Even The Rock was wiping away tears after meeting these beautiful parents who are doing everything they can to assign purpose and meaning to their daughter’s life. Lily Rose was taken too soon, but they will never, ever forget her.It’s such a powerful reminder to all of us who have experienced loss that by finding our own purpose and following the light, we, too, can take steps to heal. Grief is an awful beast that comes in waves and when you least expect it. Sometimes, the best way to deal with that is to know that the person you're grieving is with you in spirit.The pain never truly goes away, but by focusing on the positive and leaning into the good, we can somehow find healing and a way to carry on.More from Goalcast:How Vanessa Laine Bryant And Her Children Are Doing After Kobe Bryant’s DeathFallen Police Officer Leaves Eight Children Behind – 13 of His Colleagues Then Show Up at His 8-Year-Old Daughter’s Home'The Rock’ Surprises Man Who Took Him In When He Was Homeless With A $30K Truck

How Brendan Fraser Helped Dwayne Johnson Land His First Role - Yes, Nice Guys Can Finish First 
Celebrities

How Brendan Fraser Helped Dwayne Johnson Land His First Role - Yes, Nice Guys Can Finish First 

It's hard to remember a time when Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson wasn't one of the biggest names in Hollywood. He is, after all, a surprisingly versatile performer, able to carry comedies, action films, and even a Disney musical adventure. Younger fans may not even be aware that he was a wrestler in the WWE - despite the fact that he continued wrestling until 2019.RELATED: Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson Turns Down People’s Choice Award – What He Does Next Is UnexpectedThe jump from sports to acting is a difficult one, with many aspiring performers being known for only a handful of campy performances. It's no surprise that Johnson faced an uphill battle performing in his first film role as the Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns. Fellow The Mummy Returns alum Brendan Fraser also faced an uphill battle during this year's comeback performance in Darren Aronofsky's The Whale. Following its release in the film festival circuit, Johnson recalled Fraser's support during a pivotal moment in his acting career and voiced his own well wishes for Fraser in this upcoming awards season.How Dwayne Johnson Became 'The Rock'Dwayne Johnson has been in the public eye long enough that there are generations of his fans who don't remember his career as one of the most successful wrestlers in the WWE. But only die-hard fans will know that Johnson's athletic career actually started with high school football.Before joining Freedom High School's football and wrestling teams, Johnson had a hard time as a teen. Johnson said he was often involved in petty crime and fights during this time. It was a football coach in the eleventh grade who motivated him to turn his life around. He soon became one of the strongest players on both the wrestling and football teams. It wasn't long before NCAA Division 1 college football programs began to take notice.RELATED: Dwayne Johnson's Most Inspiration Quotes about Success for When You Hit Rock BottomThe University of Miami offered Johnson an athletic scholarship, which he accepted, vying to be eventually drafted in the NHL. But it just wasn't meant to be; he spent most of his college football career in the shadow of more prominent players and was overlooked in the 1995 NFL Draft. He did sign with Calgary Stampeders, in the CFL, but was quickly cut from the team.With his football career struggling to take off, Johnson turned to his other talent: wrestling. He had an in - his father, professional wrestler Rocky Johnson. With his father's help he landed a wrestling contract within a year of graduating college. He found great success performing as a charming trash-talker during the WWE's Attitude Era. Throughout his wrestling career, from which he only officially retired in 2019, he was a ten-time world champion.How Brendan Fraser Helped Dwayne Johnson Get His Acting BreakFans of the WWE already knew Johnson was a charismatic performer by the time he acted in 2001's The Mummy Returns as the antagonistic Scorpion King. Many athletes have tried to make the jump from sports to acting, with varying levels of success. As Johnson recounts it, Brendan Fraser's support behind the scenes helped him nab the role.At the time, Fraser was at the height of his career as an actor. He was reprising his most successful role as Rick O'Connell from 1999's The Mummy and, according to Johnson, he held a lot of sway in the making of the sequel.RELATED: Why John Legend and Chrissy Teigen’s Relationship Offers An Incredible Lesson in Trust and Support"The Mummy Returns, that was Brendan's movie. He had to okay it," Johnson told MTV News. "He had no idea. We had never met. We had never even spoken on the phone. And the word that I got from our director Stephen Sommers was, 'Brendan loves this idea and is so happy you're in the movie.""I'd just come from WWE. I had no acting experience except in the WWE. I had never been on a movie set before ever and, all of a sudden, I'm in the middle of the Sahara Desert making The Mummy Returns," Johnson recalled. "And I get that kind of nod of acceptance from the star of the movie, it really meant a lot to me. So many years later, I never forgot it."Johnson's performance in The Mummy Returns led to him starring in the prequel The Scorpion King. His acting career has only gone uphill from there.Dwayne Johnson's Support of Brendan Fraser's ComebackBrendan Fraser in The Whale (2022)Fraser recently recalled that, despite voicing his support for Johnson, the two didn't actually meet during the filming of The Mummy Returns. Johnson only performed in a prologue to the film - the rest of the Scorpion King's appearance in the film was made possible through CGI."The first time I met him was at the reception after The Mummy Returns," Fraser told Variety. We hadn't met in person before then, actually, although we were fighting onscreen. But every time I 'worked with him' he was just a piece of tape on a stick. So it was nice to go, 'Hey, man. How are ya? We finally meet!'RELATED: Andy Samberg Supports Terry Crews, Calls Him a ‘Miracle’ for Speaking Out on Assault and Shows Power of EncouragementSince then, Johnson has become one of Hollywood's most successful and popular actors, while Fraser has struggled in his professional and personal life. But Fraser has been making a tremendous comeback, receiving standing ovations and awards nominations for his starring role in Darren Aronofsky's The Whale. It's given Fraser's career the boost it needed, and given Johnson a chance to pay back his early supporter.Sharing a video of the ten-minute standing ovation Fraser received at the Venice Film Festival, Johnson tweeted, "Man this makes me so happy to see this beautiful ovation for Brendan. He supported me coming into his Mummy Returns franchise for my first ever role, which kicked off my Hollywood career. Rooting for all your success brother and congrats to my bud Darren Aronofsky." Brendan Fraser Proves Being the Nice Guy Pays OffJohnson went a step further in an interview with MTV News for Black Adam, saying, "I want him to go all the way, man. I wanna see him on that Oscar stage, and hold that sucker up, and deliver, I'm sure, what will be an amazing speech."It remains unknown whether or not Fraser will receive an Oscar nod for The Whale, but he seems to have a good chance, having already received other awards and nominations. Fraser has heard Johnson's support, saying that it "was really nice of him," in an interview with Variety.It can be easy to forget that others need our help and support, especially when we're busy with our own careers. Support can come in all forms. To look outside of ourselves and lend a helping hand to someone starting out or attempting to make a leap into a new profession is one of the nicest and most appreciated acts one can do. KEEP READING: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's Inspirational Message To His Fans

15-Year-Old Dwayne Johnson Saved His Mom From Taking Her Own Life - And It's A Moment He Will Never Forget
Uplifting News

15-Year-Old Dwayne Johnson Saved His Mom From Taking Her Own Life - And It's A Moment He Will Never Forget

Millions of people are affected by mental illness each year. In the U.S., 21% of adults experienced mental illness in 2020, including conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. That means even if you haven’t experienced mental health struggles yourself, you probably know someone who has.That’s why Dwayne Johnson, a.k.a. The Rock, has made a point of speaking out about mental health in recent years, including this very personal story that proves no matter how successful or well-off you are, mental illness doesn’t discriminate.How Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Saved His Mother's LifeHOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 13: Dwayne Johnson and his mom, Ata Johnson attend the ceremony honoring Dwayne Johnson with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame held on December 13, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic)In an Instagram post from February 2018, The Rock shared a still from his HBO series Ballers. In it, he is dressed in character and standing at his fictional brother’s grave with a beer in his hand in honor of his sibling’s memory. William (played by Donovan Carter) had died by suicide and it was a deeply personal moment for Johnson.“Got me thinkin’ though bout how many of us have been affected by suicide of our friends, family. Struggle and pain is real. We’ve all been there on some level or another,” the notorious family man wrote in the caption.RELATED: 'The Rock' Surprises Man Who Took Him In When He Was Homeless With A $30K Truck“My mom tried to check out when I was 15. She had a glazed look over her eyes that I had never seen before and she walks right into the middle of I-65, and continues to walk down into oncoming traffic. Big rigs and cars swerving outta the way not to hit her. I grabbed her and pulled her back on the gravel shoulder of the road,” he continued.Johnson revealed to this day his mother, Ata Johnson, has no recollection of that moment and it’s probably best that she doesn’t.Why The Rock Believes Speaking Up About Mental Health Is IntegralThe Rock has also opened up about his own struggles with mental health in the past, which fans have always related to and appreciated. For Johnson, it’s important to speak up when you need help and to remember you’re not alone.“We all go thru the sludge/shit and depression never discriminates,” he wrote on Twitter in 2018. “Took me a long time to realize it but the key is to not be afraid to open up. Especially us dudes have a tendency to keep it in. You’re not alone.”RELATED: The Rock's Daughter Is Following In His Footsteps - But There's One Thing He Never Wants For HerIn the post about his mother, Johnson also reminded fans about the importance of paying attention to loved ones, practicing active listening, and not brushing someone’s feelings or hurt away.“Help ‘em thru it, get ‘em talkin’ about the struggle and remind ‘em that they’re not alone. We got lucky that day when I was 15 and that ain’t always the case,” he concluded.We always gotta do our best to really pay attention when people are in pain.Dwayne JohnsonHow The Rock Proved That Mental Health MattersSANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 07: Dwayne Johnson is honored with the People's Champion Award during the 2021 People's Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on December 07, 2021 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for DJ)It can be hard to know whether a loved one is struggling with their mental health if they’re not ready to talk about it, but there are some common mental illness signs you can look for. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health those include:Excessive worrying or fearFeeling excessively sad or lowConfused thinking or problems concentrating and learningExtreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoriaProlonged or strong feelings of irritability or angerAvoiding friends and social activitiesDifficulties understanding or relating to other peopleChanges in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energyChanges in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetiteChanges in sex driveDifficulty perceiving reality (delusions or hallucinations, in which a person experiences and senses things that don't exist in objective reality)Inability to perceive changes in one’s own feelings, behavior or personality (”lack of insight” or anosognosia)Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugsMultiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)Thinking about suicideInability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stressAn intense fear of weight gain or concern with appearanceIf you do believe a loved one needs help, don’t be afraid to reach out. Learn all you can about mental health, look for local resources, or if you or someone you know needs immediate help, call 911.It’s also important to speak openly about your experiences if you’re able to. The Rock proved we’re all in this together, and the more we talk about mental health the more we can help to destigmatize it.KEEP READING:Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Rejects a Teen's Prom Invite - What Happens Next Shocks Hermental health matters"Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they're never weakness." — Brené Brown

The Rock Walks His Cousin Into a House With Her Eyes Closed - What Happens Next Brings Her to Tears
Uplifting News

The Rock Walks His Cousin Into a House With Her Eyes Closed - What Happens Next Brings Her to Tears

It’s no secret that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has had a lot of success in life and now he loves being able to give back — especially to his family members. In the past, he’s bought his mother, Ata Johnson, several houses, including one earlier this month that he filled with ancestral Samoan artifacts and lost family photos. But his fans were extra teary-eyed following his latest lavish gift, which he bestowed upon his cousin.The Generous Surprise Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Gave His CousinPhoto by Obed Hernández on UnsplashThe Rock and his cousin Sarona Snuka have a lot in common. Like her former WWE superstar cousin, Snuka is a WWE fighter named Tamina who has also made a name for herself in the sport. This strong woman and Johnson grew up together and over the years, they developed a solid bond. But even she was taken aback by her cousin’s latest act of generosity.In a video posted to Instagram on June 16, Johnson shared his cousin’s teary reaction after he surprised her with a brand new house. “Hard to explain these emotions for all of us as I led @saronasnukawwe through her new door,” he wrote. “This one felt good.”RELATED: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Makes a Surprise Appearance at a High School Prom (Sort of)In the video, Johnson walks his younger cousin through the front door with his hands over her eyes. “We love you so much cuz, we’re so proud of you. Welcome to your new home,” he says. In response, the 44-year-old covers her mouth, and the tears start pouring down her face.According to Johnson, he wanted to help his younger family member out after seeing the inspiring way she’s pushed through life. “This girl’s gone through some tough times, but regardless of what life’s thrown her way she was always determined to break the cycle and become a strong and inspiring single mom [and] example to her two greatest inspirations — her daughters, Milaneta and Maleata,” he wrote.Why Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Bought His Cousin a HouseIt’s hard to watch the video and not get choked up at Snuka’s genuine and surprised reaction. Seeing it, it’s clear how much this gift means to her and what it will mean for her family going forward. According to The Rock, it’s still not enough.“She deserves a lot more,” he retweeted a WWE analyst who shared the video online. “Been a single mom, raising two kids all while living the hard life as a pro wrestler — on the road, wrestling nightly for YEARS.”She deserves a lot more... I wanted to bring a little stability in my cousin’s life for her and her kids.The RockMothers everywhere who are trying to balance their own dreams while raising kids and dealing with life curveballs can probably relate, as can the 1.6 million people who have since liked The Rock’s original post and commented on how inspiring Snuka’s story is.RELATED: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Rejects a Teen's Prom Invite - What Happens Next Shocks Her“It’s so damn hard to make it as a pro wrestler,” The Rock continued in that caption. “And it’s even way harder to make it if you’re a woman. Sarona (like many amazing women in pro wrestling) made her mind up long ago that she was gonna walk the walk and earn her respect in pro wrestling and make sure that the hard times she’s experienced were always her REASON to WORK HARDER and never let it become the EXCUSE to GIVE UP.”Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Proves the Importance of Appreciating PeoplePhoto by John Fornander on UnsplashSome may question why Johnson continues to share these types of posts every time he gives a gift or spreads kindness. Many would argue he does it to inspire others to give back. Not only does it feel good to help someone in need when you yourself have the resources to do so, but it’s also nice to think that if you were ever down someone would be there for you, too.RELATED: 'The Rock' Surprises Man Who Took Him In When He Was Homeless With A $30K TruckOf course, not all of us are as fortunate as The Rock, and sometimes it can be a struggle to balance our own finances. However, you don’t need to buy someone a house in order to show your love and gratitude. Simple flowers, a thoughtful drop-by, baked goods or any other small token can always help to turn someone’s day around when they’re going through a tough time.Even more importantly, simple acts of kindness can make us feel seen. And as anyone who is ever struggling knows all too well, sometimes feeling like you’re not alone is what can make a giant difference in your small corner of the world.More Uplifting News from Goalcast:‘The Rock’ Surprises Veteran Who Puts Everyone Else First By Giving Him His Own TruckDwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Helps Morbidly Obese Woman Lose 115 Pounds Without Ever Having Met HerDejected Teen NBA Prospect Can’t Find Prom Outfit – So Shaq Does Something AmazingWhen Shaq Discovered A Teen Boy’s Mom Couldn’t Afford Extra-Large Shoes, He Did Thisshow your appreciation“Not only do I think being nice and kind is easy, but being kind, in my opinion is important.” – Dwayne Johnson

Who Is The Rock's Daughter Simone - And Why Is She Getting Hate Online?
Pop Culture

Who Is The Rock's Daughter Simone - And Why Is She Getting Hate Online?

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson wears many hats. Since getting his start with the WWE back in 1996, he’s become a wrestling legend, an A-list movie star, a doting girl dad, and an all-around inspiration. RELATED: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Rejects a Teen’s Prom Invite – What Happens Next Shocks HerJohnson’s motivational quotes and approach to life have shown countless fans (us included) the importance of being true to yourself and pursuing your dreams without apology. The Jumanji star has always been a proponent of blazing your own path and we’re now learning that he’s instilled that very lesson in his eldest daughter, Simone Johnson. So why is she receiving such tremendous hate online?Who Is Simone Johnson? (Photo Credit: Getty Images) In 2019, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson tied the knot with singer/songwriter Lauren Hashian with whom he has two daughters, Tia and Jasmine. Before that, however, he was married to Dany Garcia from 1997 to 2008. The pair, who are still business partners to this day, had one child together, daughter Simone Garcia, born on August 14, 2001. Simone first stepped into the spotlight in 2018 when she signed with IMG Models and was chosen to be that year’s Golden Globe Ambassador. The following year, she graduated high school and, as her proud papa shared on Instagram, she was planning to attend NYU. However, everything changed when she suffered a nasty injury just weeks before she was meant to start college. “I blew my knee out completely,” she told the Swerve City podcast. But that huge curveball turned out to be a blessing: “It sucked but in a way it made me rethink everything,” she shared. RELATED: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Makes a Surprise Appearance at a High School Prom (Sort of)In the end, she told her parents that she’d rather go to college in Orlando, Florida because that’s where she could also follow in her father’s footsteps. No, not acting — wrestling. Her parents were immediately on board and, in 2020, she became the youngest WWE signee ever at the age of 18. She has since begun training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando and, according to Talk Sport, she’s proven to be a “monster in the gym” and a “top recruit”. As Simone explained, the ability to continue her family legacy “means the world to me.” That’s because not only was her dad a 10-time world champion, but her grandfather, Rocky Johnson, and great-grandfather, Peter Maivia, are both in the WWE Hall of Fame. Simone’s willingness to adapt and face life's harder moments head-on is a truly valuable lesson. After all, unforeseen circumstances are unavoidable, and it's important not to let them derail you from pursuing your dreams.It's undoubtedly something she learned from watching her dad work through his own uncertainty in order to achieve his goals. As Johnson once admitted to Oprah, he felt shook up when he first decided to swap wrestling for acting full-time, but he also knew it was important to take that leap because it was the only way to fulfill his deepest aspirations.The Rock’s Approach to FatherhoodIt's safe to say Simone Johnson has some of the most supportive parents around! Case in point: Shortly after she announced her WWE signing, Dwayne Johnson couldn’t help but gush about how proud he was of his little girl. During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, he said, “It blows my mind. First of all, what an honor that my daughter wants to follow in my footsteps, but more importantly [...] she actually wants to create and blaze her own path, which is just so important.” He also gave her props for “working her ass off” from the age of 16 to meet her goals and concluded, “I’m very, very proud of her.” RELATED: Dwayne Johnson’s Most Inspirational Quotes about Success for When You Hit Rock BottomAs the actor has repeatedly explained, he believes the most important thing you can do as a parent is to "just be there" for your kids and that's how he's raised his daughters. As he told People, he’s learned how important it is to listen and, when things get tough, he helps Simone and her younger sisters, “solve whatever the issue is, but with them compared to for them." Indeed, as he shared on Oprah’s Master Class, when Simone was first born, he made her a promise: “I will always, always take care of you, for the rest of your life. You are safe.” He vowed to, “lead our life with love. Not success, not fame, not anything else but, ‘I’m always here for you. I love you.’” And that's exactly what he's done.It’s this unconditional love and support that likely helped Simone be honest with herself and her parents about her career aspirations. It surely also helped her work through her first experience with the negative side of fame. Why Is Simone Johnson Getting Hate Online? Fame is a two-sided coin, and for all of the love celebrities can get from fans, they can be faced with just as much hate from critics. Simone Johnson got a taste of this first-hand when, in May 2022, she announced her wrestling name to the world.The 20-year-old is taking her WWE training seriously and she's now one step closer to realizing her dream, as she's revealed that when she finally enters the ring, she’ll be known as… Ava Raine! Many fans were all for it, but unfortunately, others scoffed at her choice. As Today noted, some Internet trolls took issue with Simone not paying tribute to her dad through her wrestling name, but she simply wasn’t having it. RELATED: Dwayne Johnson Opens Up About The “Biggest Fight” He’d Ever Had With His Dad Right Before He DiedWhen one Twitter user suggested she should have chosen The Pebble as her moniker, she clapped back, writing, “I beg of you guys to find a new joke. Anything.” She then explained why it was so important to find her own persona because she wants to build a career in her own right. After underscoring the fact that, “a name doesn’t discredit any prior accomplishments from any family,” she wrote, “I could build my entire career around my father and people would still bash me anyway.” Simone makes an incredibly valid point with that last statement. It doesn’t matter who you are or how successful you become, naysayers will always find a reason to criticize you. While this is something that people in the spotlight experience on another (very public) level, no one is immune to receiving criticism. It unfortunately happens way too often and, as Simone shows us, the best thing to do is shake off the negativity, ignore the haters, and just do you. Whatever it is you’re passionate about, chase your dreams unapologetically and don’t allow anyone to tear you down or sow doubts in your head. Rather, allow your passion to push you through the obstacles. What’s more, don’t forget to turn to those who love and support you, whether they be family or friends, because they’ll always have your back. KEEP READING:Ewan McGregor’s Response to Racist Star Wars Trolls Attacking Moses Ingram Was Powerful – But Sad

'The Rock' Surprises Veteran Who Puts Everyone Else First By Giving Him His Own Truck
Celebrities

'The Rock' Surprises Veteran Who Puts Everyone Else First By Giving Him His Own Truck

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is the world’s highest-paid actor, with legions of fans and admirers. RELATED: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Rejects a Teen’s Prom Invite – What Happens Next Shocks HerBeyond his amazing movie career, he also motivates millions on his Instagram, where he recently showcased one of his good deeds. The Rock's Generous Gift to a Complete StrangerDwayne Johnson’s most recent movie, Red Notice, was a big hit, and marked a new high in the actor’s career. In order to honor it, Johnson decided that he wanted to gift one of his fans with a something special. Originally, he wanted to gift them with a special Porsche featured in the movie, but Porsche declined to provide one. So, selfless as ever, Johnson decided to donate his own customized, souped-up Ford F-150 Raptor. He loved the car so much he called it his “baby”. He perused the profiles of all of the fans who were attending a special screening of the movie, and chose one man he thought especially deserved the truck.“[It was] just an honor for me to give a little bit of joy to someone who deserves a lot more than just my truck.” - Dwayne JohnsonDwayne Johnson's Biggest Fan Is a War VeteranJohnson chose to gift his truck to fan Oscar Rodriguez, a veteran, church leader and personal trainer, who acts as a caretaker for his 75-year-old mother in his spare time. Not only does he help with his mother, he also advocates for victims of domestic violence. Johnson chose him for his optimist, positivity, and the way he continues to motivate those around him. Rodriguez was so touched by Johnson’s actions, saying: “I’m just speechless. I’m so glad to meet you, I feel so encouraged right now, so uplifted. I’m encouraged by your motivation. I follow you on Instagram, I listen to your words. You inspire me. And yeah, let’s do it. Let’s change the world, one person, at a time.”“I gathered as much information as I could about everyone in the audience and ultimately, Oscar’s story moved me.”– Dwayne JohnsonHow The Rock Revealed His Big Gift to a Big Fan(Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/FilmMagic,)Dwayne Johnson found Oscar and surprised him, handing him the keys to the truck. Completely shocked, Rodriguez fell to his knees, saying: “what the heck is happening?”, and he jumped up to hug Johnson. After inheriting the Rock’s beloved truck, the Navy veteran drove away, telling his idol “It’s just love, bro”. “I have no words to express how blessed and grateful I am!! Again, no words only scripture, with my whole heart, with my whole life, and with my innermost being, I bow in wonder and love before you, the holy God! Yahweh, you are my soul’s celebration. How could I ever forget the miracles of kindness you’ve done for me?” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭103:1-2‬ ‭TPT‬‬.” - Oscar RodriguezDwayne Johnson is one of the world’s most successful actors, but that success hasn’t gone to his head. He is always looking to give back, and that’s something that all people in positions of privilege should try to do. More inspiring celebrities:'The Rock' Surprises Man Who Took Him In When He Was Homeless With A $30K TruckWoman Raises $32,000 For Teen McDonald’s Worker Who Paid For Her Family’s MealBest Buy Employee Confronts Shoplifter And Gets Offered Dream Job By UFCLifeguard Fired For Saving A Life Gets Incredible Reward After Public OutrageWether it's saving someone at sea or giving up your plane seat, kindness makes a lasting impact

The Rock's Daughter Is Following His Footsteps - But There's One Thing He Never Wants For Her
Motivation

The Rock's Daughter Is Following His Footsteps - But There's One Thing He Never Wants For Her

All signs are pointing to 18-year-old Simone Johnson becoming a fourth generation star wrestler. But her famous dad, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, wants to make sure she's doing it for herself and nobody else.A rising starIn early 2020, Simone Johnson signed a contract with the WWE and began training to become a pro wrestler. She's now on track to be a fourth-generation family member in sports entertainment, following in the legendary footsteps of her great-grandfather and grandfather, WWE Hall of Famers “High Chief" Peter Maivia and Rocky Johnson, as well as her father, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.And the young Johnson is doing great so far. "She’s hungry to learn and picks the coaches’ minds, and the veteran Superstars’, as well," said Matt Bloom, Johnson's coach at the WWE Performance Center, to WWE Network. Bloom added that Johnson isn't relying on her family connections to work her way up. "She’s not going to rest on her laurels. It’s been a short time, but she’s been crushing it.” Johnson said training to be in the WWE has been a dream come true."It means the world to me," she said."To know that my family has such a personal connection to wrestling is really special to me and I feel grateful to have the opportunity, not only to wrestle, but to carry on that legacy."Simone JohnsonThe Rock approves - on one conditionA legendary wrestler in his own right, The Rock is proud of his firstborn daughter, who he had with ex-wife Dany Garcia. “Dreams ain’t just for dreamers," he wrote in an Instagram post. "Congrats to my #1 born, Simone Johnson on officially signing her wrestling contract with @wwe @wwenxt and on her way to becoming the first ever 4th generation WWE athlete."But The Rock wanted his teenage daughter -- and everyone else -- to know that if she didn't want to pursue wrestling that'd be fine with him. Her path is her own to pave."Carry our family name proudly, but your road will always be yours to create, earn & own. So proud. Live your dream. Let’s work. #humblehungry #hardestworkersintheroom #4thgeneration.”Living on your own termsIt can be so tempting to dream of our children following in our footsteps -- whether it be taking over the family business or excelling at sports. But while motivating them is important, adding too much pressure can be debilitating and create resentment. At the end of the day, a child's life, and their dreams, are theirs to build and nurture.More inspiring celebrities: Eminem’s Daughter Is Nothing Like Him–And He Couldn’t Be More ProudSteve Jobs’ Daughter Is Nothing Like Him – And He’d Be So Proud Of HerCarrie Underwood Refused To Fall Prey To The Public’s ExpectationsWhat Happened to Katie Holmes After Her Divorce From Tom Cruise?

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Sends Message of Hope to Grieving Teen Who Lost His Mom in a Car Crash
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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Sends Message of Hope to Grieving Teen Who Lost His Mom in a Car Crash

It’s not news that Dwayne Johnson has a penchant for supporting and inspiring those around him. Oftentimes, this kindness is also extended to his fans -- or in this case, the children of his fans. Angelo Pizarro tragically lost his mother and sister in a fatal car crash in San Diego, and when Pizarro reached out to Johnson on Twitter, he struck a chord with the wrestling and film star. Pizarro posted a photo of his mother posing with a movie poster with Johnson’s face on it. The caption read, “My beautiful mom who passed away loved @TheRock so so SO much. I’m trying to get him to do even a video saying her name for the funeral. If you could retweet the crap outta this for him to see it that’d mean the world. Thank you!” The internet did its part and the tweet received over eighty thousand retweets, and thus garnering Johnson’s attention. Johnson responded with a personalized video: "Hey Angelo, Dwayne Johnson here. And I had turned on my phone and saw a flood -- thousands and thousands of tweets had come through -- informing me about the devastating loss you and your family are going through with your sister and your mom," Johnson said in his private message to Pizarro. "And I believe from what I'm told, your mom was a very, very big fan of mine," he continued. "So, anyway man, I am sending you so much love and light and strength your way, from my family to yours." "I just want to say thanks for reaching out, man. And I'm so sorry to hear about your sister and your mom and this tragic loss that you and your family are going through, and, if your mom could see me now, which I'm sure she can, I just want to thank her for all the love and being such a big fan." The outpour of love from both Twitter and Dwayne Johnson may not bring his family back, but it does offer a message of hope during the dark time. "THANK YOU SO MUCH SIR," Pizarro tweeted after receiving the video. "I hope everyone knows how amazing you are. I can't stop smiling knowing she's smiling so much. Just, thank you. And again thank you to every single person who viewed my post (now over a million)." Similarly captured by the outpour of love, singer Alessia Cara also responded to Pizarro's request for a message -- this one for his 8-year old sister. "I'm so, so sorry. hopefully this helps you in any way," she wrote. </p><p>Pizarro and his family will attend the funeral of his sister and mother on September 8. In the meantime, Pizarro has set up a GoFundMe page to help his grandfather and brothers get by. </p><p>"During this time, me, my grandfather, and brother are trying to come to grasp with our new reality and push forward with our lives. This <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/aryana-amp-aileen-memorial-fund">GoFundMe</a> is to help aid my family with funeral costs and any additional expenses related to Aileen and Aryana's deaths!" the teen wrote.</p>

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Gives Motivational Speech to Lakers, Inspires All of Us to Get Off the Couch
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Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Gives Motivational Speech to Lakers, Inspires All of Us to Get Off the Couch

What keeps Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson motivated? Remembering the hard times."Before a big movie comes out, [...] I just remind myself: I was evicted when I was 14, we were kicked off the island, we couldn't live in Hawaii, had no place to live, a lot of shit happened when I moved to Nashville, I was arrested multiple times before I was 16 years old," he told the Los Angeles Lakers at an event for the basketball team's “Genius Talks” series. "I remember that."In the speech, The Rock explains how this thought process keeps him in the present moment. "Holy sh*t, the stuff I have around me right now, this is the stuff I dreamed of as a kid."When he played football for the University of Miami, one of his teammate wanted to take his spot on the field. They battled, and Johnson lost the spot he wanted. It crushed his dreams during his senior year. He moved to the CFL, barely making ends meet, and was then cut from the Canadian league. He ended up broke, with literally $7 in his pocket.Staying motivated when you've reached comfortable levels of success"What helps me is to keep the hard times in the front of my mind because it allows me to go into these big moments that I worked my ass off to get with a different perspective," he said in the speech."What it also does for me is that I keep my back against this motherf*cker [points to wall] because it's what I believe in. And when my back is against this motherf*cker then there is nowhere else to go but [forward]."The Rock likes to use the wall analogy because as a successful Hollywood actor, he is not struggling anymore. And putting himself in the mindset where he feels he has his back against the wall keeps him on his toes and encourages him to keep moving forward."It doesn't mean you don't smile, laugh and joke. But when it comes to business, and when it comes to executing, it's up against [the wall]. And I've gotta go [forward]. And I don't [care] who is in front of me, they're not gonna stop me."Watch the full speech here (it starts at 02:20):

5 Incredible Times The Rock Inspired Us to Become the Best Versions of Ourselves
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5 Incredible Times The Rock Inspired Us to Become the Best Versions of Ourselves

In his late 40s and more successful than ever, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is one the most recognizable figures of Hollywood nowadays– and not just because of his towering height.Born into a poor family that was constantly on the move due to his father’s flailing wrestling career, The Rock knew hardship from an early age. After his parents separated 14, Dwayne entered a long-time battle with depression, which was made worse by the threat of homelessness and pushed him down a path of delinquency.Now, Dwayne Johnson has his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was named the world’s highest paid actor in 2016. He has become a vocal advocate for at-risk children and mental health awareness, and is actively toying with the idea of entering the political arena in the future.Whether he decides to throw his hat into the ring of politics or continue starring in Hollywood’s most popular movies, we’re celebrating his birthday by remembering five of the most inspiring moments the former “punk kid”—as he sometimes describes himself – has offered us.1. Giving back through charityNo stranger to adversity, Johnson is committed to sharing his success with the global community. One of his main avenues for this is The Dwayne Johnson ROCK Foundation, which aims to empower the lives, health and self-esteem of hospitalized children, aid in their education and offer mentorship in nutrition and physical fitness to fight childhood obesity and put children in charge of their own fitness and health since 2007.He is also involved with The Beacon Experience, an organization dedicated to the academic success and prolonged education of children. He has also supported the Parkinson Society Maritime Region, Until There’s A Cure, the Red Cross, I Have A Dream Foundation and the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, among many more throughout the years.2. Speaking out on depression and mental healthEarlier this year, The Rock took to Twotter to remind people that depression strikes indiscriminately and there is no shame in opening up and seeking help. He also made a point of speaking to men, as male sufferers of depression tend to seek out help far less often than women to societal conditionings – all of us have heard the toxic “boys don’t cry mantra”. Well, Dwayne Johnson doesn’t believe in that noise, and as someone who has battled depression for a long time, we should all heed his advice.3. Telling a 4-year-old she inspires himCaroline Lantz is a four-year-old battling Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a highly aggressive cancer that has spread through most of her body. Despite her struggle, Caroline refuses to back down, showing strength and resilience in face of her illness.Learning of her story, Johnson shared Caroline’s fight on social media, asking fans to think of the young warrior and complimenting her strength – and bald head “I’m bald too, so that automatically makes me cool like you,” he wrote to Caroline.4. Responding to a promposal with hundreds of free movie ticketsWhen Katie Kelzenberg asked Dwayne Johnson to go to prom with her on social media, she never imagined what was going to happen. Just five days after posting her invitation online, Katie was shocked to hear Johnson’s voice reverberating through the high school intercom system.Although The Rock was not able to make it, he rewarded Katie’s courage and devotion with a free screening of his movie Rampage. Not only did 233 free tickets make it her way, The Rock also offered “all the popcorn, candy and soda a teenager could ingest.”5. Talking about the joy and privilege of being a supportive husband and fatherTaking to Instagram after the birth of his third daughter, Johnson spoke of being “raised and surrounded by strong, loving women." He added that attending the birth of Tiana Gia Johnson gave him newfound respect “for all mamas and women out there,” advising all fathers to be there and support their partners throughout the pregnancy and birth.He also pledged to put his family and children first: “Your crazy dada has many responsibilities and wears many hats in this big ol’ world, but being your dad will always be the one I’m most proud to wear.”