Terry Crews is one of Hollywood’s most entertaining men. The actor, bodybuilder, and former NFL player is known for his hilarious roles and surprising dance moves.
But beneath that muscular physique is a man who had to deal with trauma at home. Crews sat down with CT Fletcher to open up on why he began lifting weights.
Crews says he originally started working out because of his father.
As a kid, the family was always terrified the moment his father got back. His dad was an alcoholic who would often be physical with his mother. A woman he claimed he loved.
“Growing up was not a good experience. My father used to hit my mother. And so, it was one of those things where I knew I would have to get stronger because one day I thought I’d have to fight him. That’s how it started out,” revealed Crews.
Crews said he wanted to be prepared for that fight if and when it came.
The beloved actor recalled experiencing the need to defend his mother at the early age of five, “I always, always had been like, ‘Be fit, be ready, be prepared, be there.'”
He would see his mother on the floor after his father struck her.
The young Terry would look up at his father with the one thought in his head. “I want to protect her.”
He was thirteen the first time he walked in a gym.
He held two dumbbells, stayed in there for a long time, and loved every moment of it. It was something he could control.
Years later, when Terry had his own family, he brought them back for a Christmas reunion.
He then went to his father and told him not to drink and act up.
After his father agreed, Terry went out with some friends for an evening of leisure. He then got a phone call.
In a rage, he told his family to go to his aunt’s house. He was a fully grown man and when he got back, he saw his mom’s tooth knocked sideways.
Terry found his father sitting in the bedroom like nothing happened. He asked his father what happened, to which his old man seemingly just dismissed his questions.
Terry hit his father,
The thing was, he didn’t feel better giving his dad a taste of his own medicine. In fact, he ended up crying. Crews thought that taking revenge for his mom would change matters.
Until his wife, Rebecca, spoke to him and knocked some sense into his head.
Her little talk helped Terry deal with the experience he experienced from a Hollywood agent as well.
He held back then.
Terry chose to speak up. He knew that responding with violence was not the way. He chose to be the bigger man, setting a wonderful example for men out there dealing with their own issues.
And yes, Terry forgave his father. Now that’s a real man.
Listen to Terry’s incredible story below.
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