I thoroughly enjoyed reading “My Life Outside The Ring” by Hulk Hogan with Mark Dagostino. I’d always been a fan of Hogan’s. I enjoyed him in “Rocky III,” the WrestleManias, and the episodes of “Hogan Knows Best,” that I watched. I even had a chance to see him live at one of the televised Monday Night Nitro events. That event was especially rewarding for Hulk Hogan fans because he came out in the red and yellow and was a good guy again, after having worn black as Hollywood Hulk Hogan when being a heel.
That’s all I really knew about Hogan, or Terry Gene Bollea. (His actual name.) This book was refreshingly blunt and honest about the man behind the legend fans around the globe know as Hulk Hogan. Sure, I’d caught glimpses of the troubles Hogan was going through regarding his son’s accident and divorce on television, but since I don’t pay attention to much of the gossip shows or rags, I didn’t know that much about what was going on. Just like I didn’t pay much attention when the steroid deal was going on with the WWF. But when I saw Hogan on a recent talk show saying he was near suicide, I decided to check out this book, and I am very glad I did.
Hogan is completely open about his life outside the ring, revealing the ups and downs, and sharing his side of the most recent turmoil that has tarnished some of his image. He shares stories of growing up, his journeys into drugs (not just steroids) and alcohol, the tragic events of his brother’s life, the life on the road wrestling, the ups and downs regarding how he got started and eventually became the best known wrestler of all time. Many of these revelations were quite surprising to me, especially as a fan for many years.
The latter part of the book focuses much on the happenings of the last few years, and how they sent Hogan into a downward spiral that cumulated with a bottle of alcohol, pills, and a gun in his mouth. He was that close to ending it all. The pressures of a failed relationship, his son’s accident and resulting trial all became just about too much. I say just about, because Hogan did come out of the depression and with the help of some friends, books, and a new outlook on life, he is more positive than ever before and looking forward to a bright future.
I commend Hogan for being so honest, and letting readers know more about him, warts and all. He’s nowhere near perfect, and the persona he portrayed to the public was hiding a lot of pain and tragedy going on behind the scenes. Physical and emotional pain. However, what the book really reveals is a man who was and is 100% committed to his family. Even now, after he and Linda are divorced, he states he still loves her and wishes her the best for her future. His devotion to his two children, Brooke and Nick, is very apparent, and his shame and guilt for hurting them is also present.
The most important thing about this book is the message of hope. Hogan shares his personal tragedies, but also what got him through them. He even says some may dismiss his belief in the teachings from the book and DVD “The Secret” as nonsense, but he firmly believes the power behind the law of attraction and prayer, and it helped turn his life around. He also admits it’s not over. He knows there will be continued challenges, and he’s not sure how they will turn out. But with his newfound happiness and positive outlook, he is sure the best is yet to come.
If you are a fan of Hogan and wrestling, you will enjoy this book to catch some of what went on outside the ring and to learn a bit more about the life of a professional wrestler, One who knew both the ups and the downs. If you want to hear the story of someone who reached the pinnacle of success, but who also faced some equally gargantuan challenges that almost caused him to take his own life, and how he turned his outlook around, then you will also enjoy this book.
I have to admit, Hulk Hogan was the last person I thought I’d hear talking about the powers of the law of attraction and “The Secret.” I’m really glad he did. The book helped me start looking at things differently regarding some of the challenges I’m facing. This is an uplifting and motivating book as well as an honest and eye opening account of Hogan’s life outside the ring.
Alain Burrese, J.D. is a performance and personal development expert who teaches how to live, take action, and get things done through the Warrior’s Edge. Alain combines his military, martial art, and Asian experiences with his business, law, and conflict resolution education into a powerful way of living with balance, honor, and integrity. He teaches how to use the Warrior’s Edge to Take Action and Achieve Remarkable Results. Alain is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From The School Of Hard Knocks, the DVDs Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking series, and numerous articles and reviews. You can read more articles, over 100 reviews, and see clips of his DVDs as well as much more at http://www.burrese.com
John Wayne Republic DVD commercial