John Cena, the renowned professional wrestler and actor, has openly shared his reasons for not wanting children.
During an appearance on the Club Shay Shay podcast, the 47-year-old discussed his stance on parenthood and how he communicated this decision to his wife, Shay Shariatzadeh.
Cena expressed his firm resolve, stating, “I don’t want them.” He elaborated on his perspective, citing his curiosity about life and the immense investment required for parenting. “I have a certain curiosity about life, and I also know the investment that it takes. And my biggest fear is, as someone who’s driven – many times stubborn, and selfish – I try to approach the world with kindness and curiosity, but I don’t think I’m personally ready, nor will I ever be, to invest the time it needs to be a great parent because I want to live life for all it is.”
He emphasized that he still has numerous goals and aspirations he wishes to pursue, and he has a wonderful partner to share those experiences with. “And I still have a lot to do. And I still want to do a lot. I have a wonderful partner I do it with. We’ve had open conversations about this. We share the same values.”
Cena revealed that he and Shariatzadeh had “uncomfortable conversations” about this sensitive topic during their early dating phase. Despite the discomfort, he found these discussions to be beneficial in building a strong foundation for their relationship.
The WWE star acknowledged the societal pressures and judgments surrounding individuals who choose not to have children. “It’s human nature. We’re all judgmental. I’d like to believe that I operate under the construct that everyone’s okay living their life,” he said. Cena has been comfortable with his decision since his teenage years, and he remains content with his stance, finding joy and fulfillment in his life.
This stance contrasts with Cena’s previous relationship with Nikki Garcia, where he was willing to reverse his vasectomy to have children. However, Garcia didn’t want him to regret such a decision, ultimately leading to their separation.
Cena’s openness about his decision and his commitment to open communication with his partner underscores the importance of navigating personal choices and expectations within a relationship.