Friday, October 2, 2026
Marc Mero knows what it means to fall down. During his career as a professional wrestler and amateur boxer, he performed in front of thousands of fans. Away from the ring, however, Mero faced addiction, depression, family loss and difficult choices.
Mero, 66, brought that message of resilience to Woodmere Middle School, speaking to sixth, seventh and eighth graders as part of his Champions of Choices Tour on Sept. 25. The program was organized by WMS Principal John Andruszkiewicz and the school’s Parent Teacher Association.
Mero, a retired professional wrestler and motivational speaker, is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation under his real name and with World Championship Wrestling and NWA Total Nonstop Action under the ring name Johnny B. Badd.
His presentation focused less on his wrestling career and more on the personal struggles that shaped his life. Mero spoke openly about his battle with drug and alcohol addiction, the loss of two siblings and his parents at a young age, and the consequences of keeping difficult emotions bottled up.
“I believe today would be a changing day in your life,” Mero said. “I want you to dream bigger than you have ever dreamt before. Most importantly, I don’t want you to ever give up. It’s all about choices.”
Mero encouraged students to write down their dreams and goals, explaining that he began doing so when he was 10 years old. He said the goals he recorded as a child helped him stay focused on the future, including his dream of becoming a professional athlete.
He urged the students to put their goals somewhere they would see them every day and, more importantly, to take action toward achieving them.
He also told students that keeping pain and difficult experiences inside can lead to destructive behavior and urged anyone struggling to speak with a trusted adult, whether a parent, teacher, counselor or another person they trust.
“Please, please hear this,” Mero said. “I have been inside, and what happens when you hold something inside that you’re going through? It’s like a volcano. Sooner or later, that volcano erupts.”
Shana Milillo, co-president of the WMS PTA, said Andruszkiewicz was instrumental in bringing Mero to the school after having seen his presentation previously.
“He really knew about Marc Mero’s Choices Tour,” Milillo said. “He could not say enough about how inspirational it was to him.”
Milillo said the PTA believed the presentation was particularly important for middle school students, who can face significant social and emotional pressures.
“We think it’s really important for the kids to see a positive influence and hear that everything is going to be OK,” she said. “Middle school’s a hard time.”
Milillo said Mero’s message also addressed the impact of social media, the importance of families spending time together and the need for students to feel comfortable seeking help when they are struggling.
Mero challenged the students to stand up against bullying, abuse and depression and to become positive influences in their school and community.
“It’s not how many times you get knocked down,” he told the students. “It’s how many times you get back up.”
For Mero, that message has been central to his own journey — from the boxing ring and wrestling arenas to overcoming addiction and dedicating his career to helping young people make better choices.
“It’s not how many times you get knocked down,” Mero said. “It’s how many times you get back up.”
