What's Your Story? with Steph McMahon John Cena - Part 2
Aug 7, 2025
John Cena, a professional wrestler and actor celebrated for his WWE career, dives into a variety of intriguing topics. He shares his motivation for learning Mandarin and his adventures training with Jackie Chan's stunt team in China. Cena reflects on the importance of legacy, evaluating his impact on WWE and the evolution of its talent programs. He also opens up about his heartfelt connection to Make-A-Wish and how live events bring hope to families. Additionally, he discusses the balance of passion and obsession, emphasizing the value of self-accountability.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Language Without Culture Is Incomplete
- John Cena learned Mandarin to help WWE expand into China and to "leave the business better than I found it."
- He realized knowing a language isn't the same as knowing a culture and that cultural understanding matters equally.
Training With Jackie Chan
- Cena described being invited by Jackie Chan to live in China and train with his stunt team for months, losing weight and gaining mobility.
- He trained twice daily with parkour, flexibility, martial arts and boxing and came back healthier and lighter.
Teleprompter Misstep In China
- During Mandarin media for Fast and Furious Cena read prompter copy and unintentionally offended people, forcing apologies.
- He learned the hard lesson that fluency in words without cultural nuance can cause serious missteps.
