Calum Von Moger is looking on the bright side following a string of mishaps over the last few years. In a recent Zack Telander YouTube video, Von Moger reflected on his fitness, struggles, and how he plans to help others moving forward.
“I was battling depression and anxiety and all that stuff, I still do a little bit here and there but it’s not as bad,” Von Moger shared.
When he broke into the bodybuilding world, Calum Von Moger was on his way to becoming the next Arnold Schwarzenegger, a bodybuilding legend he depicted in the biopic, Bigger (2018). His shocking resemblance to ‘The Austrian Oak’ earned him fame in the fitness world. He sported a ripped physique and most fans were under the assumption he would one day rule the sport.
Fate had different plans for Von Moger. He’s been involved in police interactions, one of which saw him slash a man’s tires in a fit of road rage. When officers looked further into Von Moger’s vehicle, they found a tomahawk, brass knuckles, and a hunting knife. Even though he confessed to the crime, trouble still followed Calum.
Last June, Von Moger nearly died after leaping out of a second-floor apartment window. Initially, doctors thought he might never regain the ability to walk, however, he fully recovered after being in a coma for six days. With time to heal, Von Moger eventually entered rehab for a drug problem.
Misfortune followed Von Moger late last year. His brother, Eddie Von Moger was found dead off the coast of an Australian beach. Calum Von Moger has continued to mourn his passing but decided to sit down for an honest interview about where his life is headed in 2023.
Calum Von Moger Reflects on His Life: “I Was on This Path of Destruction”
Von Moger shared that his biggest wake-up call was being arrested and waking up in a hospital, which is what triggered him to take time away from the internet and especially social media.
“My life was on this like it was getting so much momentum, it was like a jet taking off. You’re either going to come down and crash, end up in jail, or killing yourself or something. I was on this path of destruction. And it the biggest wake-up call for me was being arrested and waking up in the hospital last year. Two massive lessons in my life where I was realizing that I’m not okay.
That’s when I disappeared off of the internet for a while because I went out to work on myself. I went to rehab and then I just took time off all social media and just peeling off the labels. Calum Von Moger bodybuilder, Calum Von Moger actor, no this isn’t who I am, who the fuck am I. I’m a raw human being like everyone else, but who the heck am I?” Calum Von Moger shared.
According to Calum, fitness has always been ‘the absolute backbone of his career.’
“Fitness played a huge role in my life as you can see. It’s been the absolute backbone of my career. And it’s brought me to a lot of places and meeting a lot of interesting people. It’s just been unfortunate that along with it has come a lot of different adversities or like I don’t know how you’d say this. I’ve had setbacks with injuries and stuff but with the fitness came fame as well and with the fame, came other little hiccups or bumps in the road.”
“For me, it was hard because I came from Australia. I came over to the USA with just a suitcase, a couple thousand bucks, didn’t know anyone or anything and went straight to LA. I was very strict and focused at the start with just the training,” said Von Moger. “That place can test you. I think one of the main things that I struggled with was I didn’t have the mentorship of it.”
The 33-year-old stressed that it took a ‘big fall’ for him to realize that he needed help.
“I had to go through this shit that I went through to find out that I wasn’t okay. People could probably see it from the outside but it couldn’t connect to me because I was so gone. I was taken off mate. I was in another spectrum. So, it took a big kind of fall to realize I needed help and that I’m not okay. That’s when I disappeared off the internet a while because I went out to work on myself.
Looking ahead, Von Moger wants to assist others going through similar mental health struggles. He believes opening up about his adversity will bring about awareness and attention to the important issue.
“I think for me, I’m wanting to get the message out and be more open and talk about this stuff because I think it’s important. Like how I went through these struggles and there’s a lot of other youth and people, kids, people, that are going through similar shit.
They need a rope. They need a hand. They need a life vessel to pull them out. I just hope in time by talking about this and reaching out to others, hey part of my purpose, my journey, is to bring some awareness and attention to people who are struggling with mental health.”
As for bodybuilding and fitness, Calum Von Moger has stated that he’s content with just staying active in the gym. At the beginning of this year, Von Moger shared a leg day training session, where he revealed that his aim was to downsize his physique.
After overcoming challenges, Von Moger wants to share his story to motivate others in 2023. He has learned from his mistakes and believes helping those with similar problems is a crucial part of his journey in life.
RELATED: Lee Priest on Calum Von Moger Hitting ‘Rock Bottom’: “You Get Caught in This Vicious Cycle”
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