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My Life Outside the Ring
Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, burst onto the professional wrestling scene in the late seventies and went on to become a world wrestling champion many times over. From humble beginnings, this giant of a man escaped a pre-ordained life of dock and construction work in Port Tampa, Florida, to become one of the most recognizable celebrities on the planet. He did it through sheer will, grit, determination, and a drive to always go over the top and do more than what others thought possible. From the outside, his story was one of a charmed life—he was at the top of his career, had a wonderful and loving family, and a lifelong fan base who worshipped him. Of course he had his up and downs—including hints of steroid abuse and his falling out with WWE and Vince McMahon—but it's been the last two years that have tested Hogan more than any other in his lifetime. In 2007, while riding the massive success of his VH1 reality show, Hogan Knows Best, his son Nick was involved in a tragic car accident that left his best friend in critical condition. Then Linda, his wife, left him after 23 years of marriage, his beloved daughter Brooke blamed him for the breakup and his son went to jail. The tabloid media had a field day. When unflattering jailhouse conversations between him and his son were released to the press the tabloids were in a frenzy. The sudden turmoil and tragedy surrounding Hogan took its toll. He fell into a deep depression, seeing no way out, until one fate ful phone call. In My Life Outside the Ring, Hogan will unabash edly recount these events, revealing how his new found clarity steadied him during the most difficult match of his life—and how he emerged from the battle feeling stronger than ever before.I was right there leaning on the side of the car with my hands when I finally saw Nick—my only son—folded up like an accordion with his head down by the gas pedal. "Nick!" I yelled. I could see he was alive. He turned his head, he stuck his hand out, and gave me a thumbs-up. For a second I was relieved. Then the chaos set in. The noise of engines. Sirens. A saw. Para - medics pulling John from the passenger seat. So much blood. I can't even describe to you how panicked I was. The police and firefighters surrounding us seemed panicked, too. The firefighters started cutting the side of the car open to try to get Nick out, and I'm still standing right there when I hear my boy screaming, "No, no, no, stop! Stop! You're gonna cut my legs off. Dad! Just unbuckle the seatbelt. I can get out!" So I reach in and I push the button on his seat belt, and Nick just crawls right out. His wrist was broken. His ribs were cracked. None of that mattered. He was gonna be okay. But not John. John wasn't moving. —from MY LIFE OUTSIDE THE RING
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2009
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January 11, 2013
I've been a wrestling fan my entire life. Well, almost as far back as I can remember anyway. I was 6 years old when I saw my first match - it was Hulk Hogan defending the World Wrestling Federation Championship against The Ultimate Warrior in front of almost 70,000 screaming fans in Toronto's SkyDome. From that moment on, I was hooked. Fast forward 20 years and I recently finished an autobiography of sorts completed by one of the two competitors, the immortal Hulk Hogan.
In "My Life Outside The Ring", Hogan takes you on a very broad journey through his life from his early years to the recent events of his son's jail time and the divorce from his wife, Linda. While there's a lot of information to be found here, Hogan seems to paint his personal life in a way that does not make you envy him, despite the amount of fame and fortune the man has garnered in his 30+ year career. His marriage with Linda is told as if it was a journey through Hell. Hogan admits that he still loves his wife Linda - that there were still some good times to be found if you dug deep enough in their relationship, however, it just doesn't seem to be there.
While I did enjoy some of this book - I just was not prepared for the amount of time he spent on his marriage. With a book titled "My Life Outside The Ring", I should've seen that coming (his WCW career spans a total of 3 pages). I guess I should go back and read his WWE produced book from a few years earlier if that's what I'm looking for (although reviews of that particular edition are far from favorable).
Hogan does end the book in a positive light; as if he turned his life around. How could he not? The events that hit this man in a span of 2 years are just awful. While it comes across as inspiring, sometimes it's hard to take seriously. Hogan has so much mud slung his way over the course of his professional wrestling career; you often wonder which Hogan you're seeing in this book. Is it a fabricated version - or the real man himself? The wrestling industry is one that is notorious for lies, backstabbing and the philosophy of "putting yourself before others" - and you need to do that to stay at the top sometimes. It would not surprise me if some of this book is embellished.
That being said, I think that Hogan is mostly truthful here. What does he have to loose? The divorce is settled, he's no longer a "top dog" in any company and his active wrestling career is pretty much dead. The one thing I did not get an answer to - that I really wanted - is the story of the hatred between the man himself and Randy Savage. Apparently these two dislike each other on a massive scale although nothing has really been said other than the odd internet rumor.
Although I did like it - I'd be hesitant to recommend it to anyone just because of the lack of time spent on his career. By all means, read this if you're interested in his problematic marriage and family life, you'll get a decent story there - but if you're expecting anything substantial regarding is time spent as a professional wrestling, you're out of luck.
In "My Life Outside The Ring", Hogan takes you on a very broad journey through his life from his early years to the recent events of his son's jail time and the divorce from his wife, Linda. While there's a lot of information to be found here, Hogan seems to paint his personal life in a way that does not make you envy him, despite the amount of fame and fortune the man has garnered in his 30+ year career. His marriage with Linda is told as if it was a journey through Hell. Hogan admits that he still loves his wife Linda - that there were still some good times to be found if you dug deep enough in their relationship, however, it just doesn't seem to be there.
While I did enjoy some of this book - I just was not prepared for the amount of time he spent on his marriage. With a book titled "My Life Outside The Ring", I should've seen that coming (his WCW career spans a total of 3 pages). I guess I should go back and read his WWE produced book from a few years earlier if that's what I'm looking for (although reviews of that particular edition are far from favorable).
Hogan does end the book in a positive light; as if he turned his life around. How could he not? The events that hit this man in a span of 2 years are just awful. While it comes across as inspiring, sometimes it's hard to take seriously. Hogan has so much mud slung his way over the course of his professional wrestling career; you often wonder which Hogan you're seeing in this book. Is it a fabricated version - or the real man himself? The wrestling industry is one that is notorious for lies, backstabbing and the philosophy of "putting yourself before others" - and you need to do that to stay at the top sometimes. It would not surprise me if some of this book is embellished.
That being said, I think that Hogan is mostly truthful here. What does he have to loose? The divorce is settled, he's no longer a "top dog" in any company and his active wrestling career is pretty much dead. The one thing I did not get an answer to - that I really wanted - is the story of the hatred between the man himself and Randy Savage. Apparently these two dislike each other on a massive scale although nothing has really been said other than the odd internet rumor.
Although I did like it - I'd be hesitant to recommend it to anyone just because of the lack of time spent on his career. By all means, read this if you're interested in his problematic marriage and family life, you'll get a decent story there - but if you're expecting anything substantial regarding is time spent as a professional wrestling, you're out of luck.
January 5, 2010
Okay, I know, it's Hulk Hogan's autobiography...but I really enjoyed it, brother.
I got this as a christmas present from Jodie after she couldn't get me stop reading a Rolling Stone article about the Hulk. I think the article was, in fact, excerpts from this very book.
The guy starts from nothing, claws his way into wrestling, of all things, and somehow manages to become one of the most beloved and highest paid entertainers of all time. He tells the story of his insane rise to fame and then the crumbling of the empire in recent years. After all the lawsuits, the divorce, his broken body, and his son's car crash, you can't help but feel for the guy.
I've always liked the Hulkster and his honesty and conversational tone had me really liking the book, too. Give it a read, brother!
I got this as a christmas present from Jodie after she couldn't get me stop reading a Rolling Stone article about the Hulk. I think the article was, in fact, excerpts from this very book.
The guy starts from nothing, claws his way into wrestling, of all things, and somehow manages to become one of the most beloved and highest paid entertainers of all time. He tells the story of his insane rise to fame and then the crumbling of the empire in recent years. After all the lawsuits, the divorce, his broken body, and his son's car crash, you can't help but feel for the guy.
I've always liked the Hulkster and his honesty and conversational tone had me really liking the book, too. Give it a read, brother!
March 7, 2010
When I picked up this book I had grand expectations of hearing a lot of dirt about wrestlers I was a fan of when I was a kid, but it didn't happen. Don't get me wrong, there were some stories about Hulk Hogan's wrestling counterparts, but not to the extent that I would have preferred. I guess it would be oxymoronic of myself to wish that Hulk's biography was less about his personal life. To be honest if I wanted to know about that b*tch Linda, I would have watched their "reality" show. I wanted to hear more about Hulk body slamming Jimmy Snuka, not how he is spiritualistic and reading The Secret. THE SECRET, really Hulk? I am glad he got his life in order but at the same time he did not get the sympathy he was counting on from this reader. Every reason his life got messed up as an adult stemmed from his own poor decisions. I enjoyed the author's writing style and I liked Hulk's honesty at times, but I also felt that he wasn't always telling the truth. Hopefully when Hogan can no longer perform a leg drop, he will write another book about his wrestling career.
March 8, 2012
Let me first say that wrestling is something that I hold dear. I have been a fan since I was 12 and I still watch it. When I came across this book I realized that it would be the first time that I'd be reading about the sport that I have followed since my childhood. Also I had no inclinations to read about every little glitch that happened in Hogan's life. I thought that if he can tell a lot about wrestling and throw little sprinkles of his personal life to give it a human touch I 'll be glad. Sadly it happened the other way around.
Honestly, half way through the book I was just loving it. I was definitely thinking about giving it 4 stars for the deft way he explained his physical problems in connection with wrestling and how he was continuously dodging bullet in his personal as well as professional life to keep the mania of Hogan growing.
The book shares the details of how he started to wrestle in small circuits and how the cult of Hulkamania first started. There are some details about Vince Mcmahon Jr.(whom I greatly appreciate) and Eric Bishoff, who was the pioneer in giving the world WCW which WWE later acquired. These details made the first part of the book really endearing and even enriching.
In the later half of the book it all came down to a lot of whining about his wife and the problems with his kid Nick and the spiritual healing that he did to take his life back on track. That's when i started skipping pages. But on and on it went about how he found 'The secret' movie and the book really endearing and suddenly he found the formula to set his life straight. Oh, my God! life is too short to listen to a dumb head whining about how everyone was so miserable to him.
Personally I am glad that Hogan found 'the secret' because it's the people like him who make the self-help writers profligate and prosper.
I do respect Hogan very much for what he did in and out of the ring but I just don't want to know all the boring details about his horrible wife and all the flings he had with chicks later. Am I so bad a person? Maybe I am but I have my own shit to take care of and a dearth scarcity of time. So, forget it !!
Honestly, half way through the book I was just loving it. I was definitely thinking about giving it 4 stars for the deft way he explained his physical problems in connection with wrestling and how he was continuously dodging bullet in his personal as well as professional life to keep the mania of Hogan growing.
The book shares the details of how he started to wrestle in small circuits and how the cult of Hulkamania first started. There are some details about Vince Mcmahon Jr.(whom I greatly appreciate) and Eric Bishoff, who was the pioneer in giving the world WCW which WWE later acquired. These details made the first part of the book really endearing and even enriching.
In the later half of the book it all came down to a lot of whining about his wife and the problems with his kid Nick and the spiritual healing that he did to take his life back on track. That's when i started skipping pages. But on and on it went about how he found 'The secret' movie and the book really endearing and suddenly he found the formula to set his life straight. Oh, my God! life is too short to listen to a dumb head whining about how everyone was so miserable to him.
Personally I am glad that Hogan found 'the secret' because it's the people like him who make the self-help writers profligate and prosper.
I do respect Hogan very much for what he did in and out of the ring but I just don't want to know all the boring details about his horrible wife and all the flings he had with chicks later. Am I so bad a person? Maybe I am but I have my own shit to take care of and a dearth scarcity of time. So, forget it !!
April 18, 2012
I grew up watching this guy, taking his advice; eating my vitamins, doing my exercises and saying my prayers. I have always been a huge fan, and am so even more now after Terry bared his sole in his book, "My Life Outside the Ring."
Reading this now in my mid thirties, I was not surprised to read about how he was living in excess while I was idolizing him in the 1980's. He openly admits to behaviors and actions in this book, that had I known about at the time as a pre-teen and early teen, would have devastated me. I certainly would have labelled him a hypocrite. However, as a grown man, I no longer view life through rose colored glasses and I would be surprised more to find my hero wasn't living as he was in those days. I applaud him for his honesty about it now, and have no ill will. He inspired me to believe in myself at the time, and his book has done that again, now at the adult level, for in it, we see that the whole "vitamins, prayers and exercise" thing certainly was a staged line, but the intensity, desire, and belief in doing what is right was real. The caring for other people and wanting to reach out and positivly affect as many people as possible was real and it still is.
It is heart wrenching to hear what Terry (Hulk) went through during his 23 year marriage to his wife, a woman who would spend upwards of $50,000.00 a month at Walmart and had to have a multi-million dollar mansion (one $14.5 million) in practically every town she liked. The verbal abuse Terry and his kids went through at the hands of a suffering alcoholic was brutal, the type of thing you would expect in the trailer parks, but certainly not at this level of societal living, but the Hulkster endured it, as did his children. Yet they kept moving forward, working through their trials and tribulations, depending on each other and the love they shared.
Some of the stories in the book are absolutely sickening, like the Opportunistic lawyers and the Graziano family. Here Terry and his family took their wayward son, John Graziano, a troubled Iraqi war vet, into their home and treated him as one of their own. Hulk and his family camped out at his hospital room, put his parents up in expensive hotels, hell, his mother in an apartment when Hulk found out she was homeless........ and at the end of the day they end up slapping him with a huge lawsuit that would literally ruin him financially if he loses..... you should be ashamed of yourselves Graziano family!
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. The drama doesn't just disappear, but Terry finds spirituality, and begins getting through the drama by changing his mindset. Like the saying goes, "When you look at things differently, the things you see look different."
I was happy to see that Hulk found new love in his girl friend Jennifer and that he is turning all these "life issues" which is different than life itself, over to the care of a higher power.
I believe the Hulkster's brightest days are ahead of him still. He is a real American. He came to visit me and my friends at the Wounded Warriors Battalion on Ft. Lewis in Washington as we heal from our wounds from Iraq and Afghanistan while he was in the area for a book signing. That should tell you something about the true character of the man in and of itself. Do you know how many celebrities have come by here just to see us in the many months I've been here? Only one! Hulk Hoagan! My hero in childhood and my hero in adulthood.
Everyone needs to read this book for inspiration and as guidance on how to deal with tough times. I could not put it down once I started it, finishing the well written work in only three sittings. Once you've read it, tell your friends to read it. Their time will not be wasted.
Reading this now in my mid thirties, I was not surprised to read about how he was living in excess while I was idolizing him in the 1980's. He openly admits to behaviors and actions in this book, that had I known about at the time as a pre-teen and early teen, would have devastated me. I certainly would have labelled him a hypocrite. However, as a grown man, I no longer view life through rose colored glasses and I would be surprised more to find my hero wasn't living as he was in those days. I applaud him for his honesty about it now, and have no ill will. He inspired me to believe in myself at the time, and his book has done that again, now at the adult level, for in it, we see that the whole "vitamins, prayers and exercise" thing certainly was a staged line, but the intensity, desire, and belief in doing what is right was real. The caring for other people and wanting to reach out and positivly affect as many people as possible was real and it still is.
It is heart wrenching to hear what Terry (Hulk) went through during his 23 year marriage to his wife, a woman who would spend upwards of $50,000.00 a month at Walmart and had to have a multi-million dollar mansion (one $14.5 million) in practically every town she liked. The verbal abuse Terry and his kids went through at the hands of a suffering alcoholic was brutal, the type of thing you would expect in the trailer parks, but certainly not at this level of societal living, but the Hulkster endured it, as did his children. Yet they kept moving forward, working through their trials and tribulations, depending on each other and the love they shared.
Some of the stories in the book are absolutely sickening, like the Opportunistic lawyers and the Graziano family. Here Terry and his family took their wayward son, John Graziano, a troubled Iraqi war vet, into their home and treated him as one of their own. Hulk and his family camped out at his hospital room, put his parents up in expensive hotels, hell, his mother in an apartment when Hulk found out she was homeless........ and at the end of the day they end up slapping him with a huge lawsuit that would literally ruin him financially if he loses..... you should be ashamed of yourselves Graziano family!
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. The drama doesn't just disappear, but Terry finds spirituality, and begins getting through the drama by changing his mindset. Like the saying goes, "When you look at things differently, the things you see look different."
I was happy to see that Hulk found new love in his girl friend Jennifer and that he is turning all these "life issues" which is different than life itself, over to the care of a higher power.
I believe the Hulkster's brightest days are ahead of him still. He is a real American. He came to visit me and my friends at the Wounded Warriors Battalion on Ft. Lewis in Washington as we heal from our wounds from Iraq and Afghanistan while he was in the area for a book signing. That should tell you something about the true character of the man in and of itself. Do you know how many celebrities have come by here just to see us in the many months I've been here? Only one! Hulk Hoagan! My hero in childhood and my hero in adulthood.
Everyone needs to read this book for inspiration and as guidance on how to deal with tough times. I could not put it down once I started it, finishing the well written work in only three sittings. Once you've read it, tell your friends to read it. Their time will not be wasted.
January 26, 2012
While growing I was a big wrestling fan and played trump cards. I didn’t have a cable connection at that time in my home (around 1991-1999) . I was fan of this man in yellow shirt who had a cult following among the children and was ranked number 1 in the trump cards. So this means whenever the kiddo who will have his card will win over other card holders because of his credentials like height, weight, matches played etc. were better than his rivals.
Freeze the above paragraph brother!! Time flied I grew up (only physically I was intelligent when I was born than now) trump card faded and place of Hogan was taken by John Cena ,
The rock , Randy orton, HHH ( not in exact order) to name a few. Sorry to be so dramatic but the feelings are true
I thought that I have never read about any wrestlers life since now i have grown up and I can understand English I searched amazon saw awesome rating of the Hullkamaia Era and I ordered it from Indian e-commerce sites brother!!.
Ergonomics/Slamonomics:-I have a hard bound edition with thick binding and excellent font and paper quality. Once I got my hand on the book my sister snatched it from my hand and first watched all the photographs. (Easiest way to read a book). After that I started it and must say it was one of the finest ,most pure and pure reads I have read. Hogan has poured his heart out. Well done brother, it’s quite a difficult thing to do.
StoryNomics: Book starts with a flashback, where Hogan is about to end his own legacy but as you turn on the pages it’s like a page turner, a thriller, a fairytale , a marketing case study it has all the contents to keep you hooked. He candidly admits why wrestling is called entertainment and what does it signify. (People who still debate that wrestling is true or not true must read this). One thing which I must admit I liked the most is that there is a shadow of you in his life. Read to know more. He talks about his life, injuries, drugs some twisted tales, some fairy tales and his initial days in wwwf gives us a fresh insight to what we don’t know about this business and what is not shown on television. When you read it I also came to know about his daughter a very pretty damsel instead. I checked her out, she is on facebook and hot( HH if you read this don't give me a leg drop ;) )
This book has a very similar storyline with Andre Agassi open which is again an awesome read. Both of them start with present go back to past come to present and kick some serious ass in the end.
I finished it in less than 6 hours awesome read in 3 nights (data may not be 100% correct) and an is an awesome read.
While reading I also sent a tweet to Hulk Hogan and he replied. Thanks Brother for the tweet.
My Rating: 12/10
This post is also dedicated to my friend/brother the bomb from Bathinda AJ the _way_iam (https://twitter.com/#!/ThE_wAY_Im) an huge wrestling fan.
Freeze the above paragraph brother!! Time flied I grew up (only physically I was intelligent when I was born than now) trump card faded and place of Hogan was taken by John Cena ,
The rock , Randy orton, HHH ( not in exact order) to name a few. Sorry to be so dramatic but the feelings are true
I thought that I have never read about any wrestlers life since now i have grown up and I can understand English I searched amazon saw awesome rating of the Hullkamaia Era and I ordered it from Indian e-commerce sites brother!!.
Ergonomics/Slamonomics:-I have a hard bound edition with thick binding and excellent font and paper quality. Once I got my hand on the book my sister snatched it from my hand and first watched all the photographs. (Easiest way to read a book). After that I started it and must say it was one of the finest ,most pure and pure reads I have read. Hogan has poured his heart out. Well done brother, it’s quite a difficult thing to do.
StoryNomics: Book starts with a flashback, where Hogan is about to end his own legacy but as you turn on the pages it’s like a page turner, a thriller, a fairytale , a marketing case study it has all the contents to keep you hooked. He candidly admits why wrestling is called entertainment and what does it signify. (People who still debate that wrestling is true or not true must read this). One thing which I must admit I liked the most is that there is a shadow of you in his life. Read to know more. He talks about his life, injuries, drugs some twisted tales, some fairy tales and his initial days in wwwf gives us a fresh insight to what we don’t know about this business and what is not shown on television. When you read it I also came to know about his daughter a very pretty damsel instead. I checked her out, she is on facebook and hot( HH if you read this don't give me a leg drop ;) )
This book has a very similar storyline with Andre Agassi open which is again an awesome read. Both of them start with present go back to past come to present and kick some serious ass in the end.
I finished it in less than 6 hours awesome read in 3 nights (data may not be 100% correct) and an is an awesome read.
While reading I also sent a tweet to Hulk Hogan and he replied. Thanks Brother for the tweet.
My Rating: 12/10
This post is also dedicated to my friend/brother the bomb from Bathinda AJ the _way_iam (https://twitter.com/#!/ThE_wAY_Im) an huge wrestling fan.
September 4, 2022
I absolutely had a hard time getting through this. From the moment I started reading, I knew it was going to be a struggle.
Hulk is extremely full of himself and out of touch with reality. Even writing about his son's accident, he had to flex his material status.
What is really true, half truths, and just flat out lies? The entire book felt like a way to clear up his name.
Also, the fact he was blaming The Undertaker for his neck injury infuriates me. Anyone who is anybody can watch the footage and see his head never hit the chair. If I'm not mistaken, it came out sometime that he was actually injured prior to that match. What a real sh***y thing to do to someone.
It's not even like this book is even relevant anymore. It's definitely dated and a lot more crazy things have come to the surface about Hogan. I honestly felt like I should've made notes or something to cover all the bull that he put out here, but it would've taken up more of my time than what was already wasted on reading the book itself.
I might be a little too critical, but it just feels fake. Hogan is known for being so self centered and he spent over 300 pages trying to prove how down to earth he is and overall just trying to clear his name.
I'm annoyed. It was annoying. I'm glad it's over. I just hope he's doing better these days.
Hulk is extremely full of himself and out of touch with reality. Even writing about his son's accident, he had to flex his material status.
What is really true, half truths, and just flat out lies? The entire book felt like a way to clear up his name.
Also, the fact he was blaming The Undertaker for his neck injury infuriates me. Anyone who is anybody can watch the footage and see his head never hit the chair. If I'm not mistaken, it came out sometime that he was actually injured prior to that match. What a real sh***y thing to do to someone.
It's not even like this book is even relevant anymore. It's definitely dated and a lot more crazy things have come to the surface about Hogan. I honestly felt like I should've made notes or something to cover all the bull that he put out here, but it would've taken up more of my time than what was already wasted on reading the book itself.
I might be a little too critical, but it just feels fake. Hogan is known for being so self centered and he spent over 300 pages trying to prove how down to earth he is and overall just trying to clear his name.
I'm annoyed. It was annoying. I'm glad it's over. I just hope he's doing better these days.
May 11, 2012
My Life Outside The Ring was written by Hulk Hogan. This book is non-fiction and this is Hulk Hogan's second autobiography. It expresses the fascinating look at the private life of Hulk Hogan. The book answers many questions about the recent drama in his life. This book is about he car accidents of his son and the bright success at Wrestle mania. This book is about his whole journey of how he got into wrestling, getting married, and about his children. This book concludes with Hulk Hogan's divorce. I really enjoyed this book a lot better than other books that I have read in my life. Significantly this book was better than his first book and more open about his life than his TV show was. It is such an amazing book and exposes the truth of Hulk Hogan's life from the day he was born until today.
August 17, 2025
True inside information about the greatest wrestler of all time. An emotional Hulk Hogan tells it all.
For a fan of the man, this shouldn't be missed.
For a fan of the man, this shouldn't be missed.
September 8, 2022
Hulk goes over his divorce in mind numbing detail, very sassy!
February 9, 2024
Enjoyed the first half. Second half family dramas got tiresome.
February 12, 2019
Excellent. I never knew he had so much trouble in his personal life! Makes me grateful and thankful that my troubles are small compared to what the Hulkster went through.
August 12, 2025
Mostly about the Hulksters personal life and struggles that I wasn’t aware of as a big fan. A good read for any hulk hogan fan. R.I.P Hulkster.
July 18, 2022
When I was growing up Hulk Hogan was THE star in professional wrestling. Being younger I was hooked on the soap opera like storylines and larger than life characters in professional wrestling, and Hulk Hogan was the man!
In this autobiography Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan lays it all on the line in an honest, sometimes searing account of his life, including the more recent tragedies that have befallen him and his family.
The Hulkster talks about his life growing up in a lower middle class neighborhood in Tampa with his prospects in life mostly being laboring on the docks or a similar profession. He became enamored of the local pro wrestling scene and did everything he could, well almost, to become part of the action. He started in the lowly local circuits and through his personality and character driven storylines, he made the climb to the top of the wrestling world.
His retelling of the early days of his pro wrestling career, literally sleeping in his car, and later traveling non-stop from one locale to another, were quite an interesting insight into the early days of pro wrestling at the lower end of the totem pole. And he not only admits to steroid use but talks about how steroids were part of the entire package of being a pro wrestler. As Hogan aged and injuries from the constant pounding in the ring took their toll he began the slow descent into an occasional wrestler and main attraction.
More recent events in Hogan’s tabloid life are what most people today will be familiar with. In his hit reality TV show Hogan Knows Best, we don’t see the utter turmoil his marriage and life had become. He tells his side of the story in the ugly divorce from his wife Linda and his struggles to keep up the lavish lifestyle that his riches had bestowed upon him. And more tragic yet, his son Nick was driving when he had a car accident that put a family friend into a coma with head injuries that he will make him an invalid for life. Nick was allegedly both intoxicated and racing another car at the time. Eventually he was convicted of a felony in the matter and was jailed for about six months. Somehow the tabloid media got a hold of a recording of a phone conversation Hogan had with his son while in jail that sounds like he is being callous and uncaring about the injuries to the passenger. Hogan gives a believable explanation of the conversion as being taken completely out of context.
The final chapters talk about how Hogan sank into a deep, deep depression with all the turmoil in his life – a son in jail, an ugly divorce, a falling out with this daughter over the divorce, financial problems from his lavish lifestyle, and a lawsuit for an enormous sum of money filed by the family of the injured passenger, all took their toll. He finally turned around his life and is telling his side of the story in this hard to put down autobiography.
Hogan’s ghostwriter, Mark Dagostino does an outstanding job of organizing the material into a coherent, well written account of the life and travails of Hulk Hogan. The only real drawback to the book is the first half keeps using the phrase “you know,” just like I am sure Hogan does in real life. It certainly gave an authentic tone to the book, but it sure got extremely annoying after a while. Thankfully he knocked off this colloquialism about half way through the book. Otherwise the writing and organization of the book are superb.
Finally, the reader must ask, how honest or true is the book? I am sure Hogan believes it is honest and true. The tone and unveiling of the good and the bad in Hogan’s life makes what Hogan says ring true. I, frankly, believe what he has to say, although I am sure there are other sides to the story as well.
In this autobiography Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan lays it all on the line in an honest, sometimes searing account of his life, including the more recent tragedies that have befallen him and his family.
The Hulkster talks about his life growing up in a lower middle class neighborhood in Tampa with his prospects in life mostly being laboring on the docks or a similar profession. He became enamored of the local pro wrestling scene and did everything he could, well almost, to become part of the action. He started in the lowly local circuits and through his personality and character driven storylines, he made the climb to the top of the wrestling world.
His retelling of the early days of his pro wrestling career, literally sleeping in his car, and later traveling non-stop from one locale to another, were quite an interesting insight into the early days of pro wrestling at the lower end of the totem pole. And he not only admits to steroid use but talks about how steroids were part of the entire package of being a pro wrestler. As Hogan aged and injuries from the constant pounding in the ring took their toll he began the slow descent into an occasional wrestler and main attraction.
More recent events in Hogan’s tabloid life are what most people today will be familiar with. In his hit reality TV show Hogan Knows Best, we don’t see the utter turmoil his marriage and life had become. He tells his side of the story in the ugly divorce from his wife Linda and his struggles to keep up the lavish lifestyle that his riches had bestowed upon him. And more tragic yet, his son Nick was driving when he had a car accident that put a family friend into a coma with head injuries that he will make him an invalid for life. Nick was allegedly both intoxicated and racing another car at the time. Eventually he was convicted of a felony in the matter and was jailed for about six months. Somehow the tabloid media got a hold of a recording of a phone conversation Hogan had with his son while in jail that sounds like he is being callous and uncaring about the injuries to the passenger. Hogan gives a believable explanation of the conversion as being taken completely out of context.
The final chapters talk about how Hogan sank into a deep, deep depression with all the turmoil in his life – a son in jail, an ugly divorce, a falling out with this daughter over the divorce, financial problems from his lavish lifestyle, and a lawsuit for an enormous sum of money filed by the family of the injured passenger, all took their toll. He finally turned around his life and is telling his side of the story in this hard to put down autobiography.
Hogan’s ghostwriter, Mark Dagostino does an outstanding job of organizing the material into a coherent, well written account of the life and travails of Hulk Hogan. The only real drawback to the book is the first half keeps using the phrase “you know,” just like I am sure Hogan does in real life. It certainly gave an authentic tone to the book, but it sure got extremely annoying after a while. Thankfully he knocked off this colloquialism about half way through the book. Otherwise the writing and organization of the book are superb.
Finally, the reader must ask, how honest or true is the book? I am sure Hogan believes it is honest and true. The tone and unveiling of the good and the bad in Hogan’s life makes what Hogan says ring true. I, frankly, believe what he has to say, although I am sure there are other sides to the story as well.
October 6, 2025
Hulk Hogan tells us about how he was great at everything he ever did. He was the greatest little league baseball player (he was not, in fact he stole this from the legit backstory of Macho Man... which is weird), he was the first ever white guy in a union in Tampa, he was the greatest dock loader ever because he just intuitively knew balance and strength, he was a natural at bass and guitar because he just intuitively KNEW, the same is said of all of his family who just always picked everything up from day one. A lot of things he did, weren't his fault, or he didn't know about it, or let's not talk about it. Also the Undertaker destroyed his neck but he just massaged it back into place. He also ran around on a totally busted knee for like 6 years or something after winning the WWE championship. Meanwhile John Cena is over here getting neck fusions after JUST having 3 fingers go numb. Hulk Hogan doesn't call him a loser for that, but he does imply that Hogan is tougher than Cena will ever be and he should just burn the nerve endings off like he did, every month. This is all true. I definitely believe this. The end of the book is reserved for him talking about how much Linda Hogan sucks, how Nick wasn't really at fault for destroying his best friend's brain and also that guy's family were really bad so it's okay, his money problems (which I'm sure it's hard having 5 multi-million dollar mansions, I'm crying for you), talking about his new found spirituality (from The Secret - like Ryback - I almost died), and making a lot of... for some reason... OJ Simpson references?
There are moments where I THINK Hogan is being geniune (I think, it's hard to tell when he lies so often) and you see the real human behind the character emerge. But its buried under a bunch of BS and "these aren't excuses" excuses for his terrible behavior and his son's terrible behavior and the reasons for his divorce.
The allusions to OJ Simpson are apt because this book almost feels like OJ's book, which non-stop craps on his ex-wife too. This book is better than OJ's though because Hogan never killed his wife. 2- stars.
There are moments where I THINK Hogan is being geniune (I think, it's hard to tell when he lies so often) and you see the real human behind the character emerge. But its buried under a bunch of BS and "these aren't excuses" excuses for his terrible behavior and his son's terrible behavior and the reasons for his divorce.
The allusions to OJ Simpson are apt because this book almost feels like OJ's book, which non-stop craps on his ex-wife too. This book is better than OJ's though because Hogan never killed his wife. 2- stars.
November 23, 2012
I have never been into wrestling or Hulk Hogan that much. Though there are happy childhood memories which include both. As a kid, when I couldn't sleep and I'd get up in the middle of the night, I found my father sitting in front of the TV on this absolutely comfy couch we had back then (which my parents eventually exchanged for some very nice and stylish but infinitely less comfortable furniture) watching those big guys in the ring beating the hell out of each other. When I asked very nicely and promised not to tell mom he allowed me to join him. We never commented on the fights or the wrestlers, in fact, I can't remember us talking at all during those nights. I remember sitting there in silence and being absolutely happy to share this with my dad. He would fall asleep eventually and his 10 year old kid would switch of the TV and return to bed so her mother wouldn't notice...
One of me literature podcasts featured an interview with Terry Bollea one or two years ago. I was interested, but didn't pick up the book until 1 week ago. I had seen the occasional episode of "Hogan Knows Best" but I didn't know anything about his son's accident or all the fuss about his divorce.
That's probably why I enjoyed the first 200 pages of the book much more than the rest. I liked to read about the beginning of his wrestling career and how he became this icon. I was particularly interest in his relationship with steroids and what happened when they got forbidden. It was also nice to get to know his young family and compare them to what we saw on TV.
It is a pity however, that he uses the last part of the book - a good third of it - to explain recent events in his live, to set records straight and to present himself as the good guy. It felt as if he forced all those explanations and apologies on me. To be honest: I wasn't interested. If I choose to read a biography I don't want to wonder constantly whether the author is telling the truth or not. Actually I never did it before. I take it as a given that some points may be exaggerated because that's probably how celebrities' lives work, but I don't want to doubt the big picture. And why should I? Why should the author try to deceive me?
I this case Terry Bollea has still a lot to lose - despite his claiming otherwise. The fact that he included all this very intimate stuff looks more like yet another of his stunts and this spirituality thing is just a little to much. If something sounds to good to be true, it usually is just that.
Nevertheless it was a quick and entertaining read, but I'd probably recommend it only to wrestling fans and Hulkamaniacs.
One of me literature podcasts featured an interview with Terry Bollea one or two years ago. I was interested, but didn't pick up the book until 1 week ago. I had seen the occasional episode of "Hogan Knows Best" but I didn't know anything about his son's accident or all the fuss about his divorce.
That's probably why I enjoyed the first 200 pages of the book much more than the rest. I liked to read about the beginning of his wrestling career and how he became this icon. I was particularly interest in his relationship with steroids and what happened when they got forbidden. It was also nice to get to know his young family and compare them to what we saw on TV.
It is a pity however, that he uses the last part of the book - a good third of it - to explain recent events in his live, to set records straight and to present himself as the good guy. It felt as if he forced all those explanations and apologies on me. To be honest: I wasn't interested. If I choose to read a biography I don't want to wonder constantly whether the author is telling the truth or not. Actually I never did it before. I take it as a given that some points may be exaggerated because that's probably how celebrities' lives work, but I don't want to doubt the big picture. And why should I? Why should the author try to deceive me?
I this case Terry Bollea has still a lot to lose - despite his claiming otherwise. The fact that he included all this very intimate stuff looks more like yet another of his stunts and this spirituality thing is just a little to much. If something sounds to good to be true, it usually is just that.
Nevertheless it was a quick and entertaining read, but I'd probably recommend it only to wrestling fans and Hulkamaniacs.
February 25, 2017
As a young child, I was a Hulkamaniac through and through. As such, I've always been a bit fascinated to this day about the exploits of my childhood hero. After all the trouble that the Hogan family has gone through in recent years, I wanted to get the details "straight from the horse's mouth", so to speak. Of course, I was also wary of this being written by Hogan himself (impartiality stood a good chance of being bodyslammed as hard as one of the Hulkster's unfortunate opponents).
Whereas Hogan's first book told the story of his wrestling exploits, "My Life Outside The ring" pretty much sticks to its title thesis. While obviously covering some ring-based material, it is mostly about the personal life of Hogan and his family, from the young years of Terry Bollea (Hulk's real name) to the time of his divorce from wife Linda and the personal troubles of his son Nick's car crash that severely injured a family friend.
I found this book to be a compelling read that I couldn't put down. The only reason I can't give it the full five stars? I can't be sure that the wool isn't being pulled over my eyes by Mr. Hogan. I don't know all the insider details of the stuff he references, and some of the things that have happen in very recent years after the book was published (like a Hogan sex tape) contradict the message that Hulk preaches here. But, that being said, never once while reading this book did I think "man, that sounds like a bunch of hogwash". Hulk basically just gives "his side of the story" and, at times, even tries to look at things objectively as much as he can.
What would really be interesting is to compare this book to the Linda Hogan bio, or potential future bios from his children or the family of the young man his son so impacted. I'd be really interested to see how the stories either sync up or clash with each other; the only way to know how much of "My Life Outside The Ring" is sincere and how much is B.S.
Overall, though, I flew through the pages of this book. I've always been fascinated by Hogan, so of course that played a role in my enthusiasm, yet the book is well-written and never gets procedural or dull. You just have to take it for what it is: one man's story of a life lived much crazier and in the spotlight than the average person.
Whereas Hogan's first book told the story of his wrestling exploits, "My Life Outside The ring" pretty much sticks to its title thesis. While obviously covering some ring-based material, it is mostly about the personal life of Hogan and his family, from the young years of Terry Bollea (Hulk's real name) to the time of his divorce from wife Linda and the personal troubles of his son Nick's car crash that severely injured a family friend.
I found this book to be a compelling read that I couldn't put down. The only reason I can't give it the full five stars? I can't be sure that the wool isn't being pulled over my eyes by Mr. Hogan. I don't know all the insider details of the stuff he references, and some of the things that have happen in very recent years after the book was published (like a Hogan sex tape) contradict the message that Hulk preaches here. But, that being said, never once while reading this book did I think "man, that sounds like a bunch of hogwash". Hulk basically just gives "his side of the story" and, at times, even tries to look at things objectively as much as he can.
What would really be interesting is to compare this book to the Linda Hogan bio, or potential future bios from his children or the family of the young man his son so impacted. I'd be really interested to see how the stories either sync up or clash with each other; the only way to know how much of "My Life Outside The Ring" is sincere and how much is B.S.
Overall, though, I flew through the pages of this book. I've always been fascinated by Hogan, so of course that played a role in my enthusiasm, yet the book is well-written and never gets procedural or dull. You just have to take it for what it is: one man's story of a life lived much crazier and in the spotlight than the average person.
March 31, 2010
I have a confession to make....I'm a wrestling fan....There I said it. Honestly, when I picked this book up I didn't really know what to expect from it. I'm glad I picked it up though...I really liked it A LOT! It's written from Hulk's perspective not just as a wrestler but as a man, husband, and father...In short it's very real and very honest, from the highest high to the lowest low. There were times where I was going "why did he put up with it for so long?" and times when I was saying "WOW." I learned a lot of things that I didn't know about the Hulkster too....Like he plays guitar and was a bowler when he was younger. I really liked how the book opens....you just know that you are going to be going on one heck of a roller coaster ride. Even if your not a wrestling fan I recommend this book....I'd say a good chunk of the book really isn't even about wrestling.....it's about life.
December 28, 2009
Let me start by saying, if I wasn't an ex wrestling fan, I probably would not have had any interest in this book. Yes, I went through a brief phase of 'wrestlemania' myself, even traveling to see it live. Coincidentally, it was at the point Hulk Hogan was making his final wrestling comeback. I really enjoyed this book. Even in text, he uses words such as 'brother', 'bro', and 'dude'. This man has had a hell of a life. He has a crazy ex-wife, many physical ailments from wrestling and a life that's constantly in the spotlight. He has overcome all these things and is trying to live a somewhat normal life now. A new woman, a new faith, etc...etc...Even the richest of us must overcome obstacles. And he did. With flying colors. God bless you, Hulk Hogan.
March 20, 2012
Wow! Very touching and shocking...
I never would have thought that all the family issues Terry was going through would raise a gun from his own hand into his mouth!?!?!
Jesus! Linda is definitely not worth that brother...she has chosen a dark path for her life, full of obvious regret, remorse, and true greed...that's for her to deal with!
It's stories like this that make this book impossible to put down. Coming from the man who led a new revolution in pro-wrestling, it shows that not all's good on every front.
This is a must have book for any sports fan or wrestling fan because this is what happens full circle to some people and only great and meaningful lessons can be learned and taken from this account.
I never would have thought that all the family issues Terry was going through would raise a gun from his own hand into his mouth!?!?!
Jesus! Linda is definitely not worth that brother...she has chosen a dark path for her life, full of obvious regret, remorse, and true greed...that's for her to deal with!
It's stories like this that make this book impossible to put down. Coming from the man who led a new revolution in pro-wrestling, it shows that not all's good on every front.
This is a must have book for any sports fan or wrestling fan because this is what happens full circle to some people and only great and meaningful lessons can be learned and taken from this account.
October 24, 2012
In this book Hulk Hogan gives us the in depth details of his life outside of the ring. I've read many WWE biographies and I swear every wrestler gets screwed over somehow. It even happened to Hulk Hogan and it's a sad thing to see. Not only that, but when Hulk Hogan became big he started a family and tore his muscles, but would still work, work, and work. He was the main event one of the greatest wrestlers in the company. He talks about the sorrowful details of his divorce and how he had to convince the world that he wasn't the real blame for his divorce. Like his daughter said "there are two sides to every story". Hulk Hogan gives you his side in this very personal biography. You will be surprised by some of what you read.
September 14, 2025
Have to say I really did not like Hulk's first book. I was angry at myself for buying this one. That was before I read it. As far as wrestling books go this is one of the better ones. My favourite is Bret Hart's. Have to say I have never been a Hulk Hogan fan, but I appreciate the reality of this book. Hogan explains the attitude of people in the gym, toward the WWE about drugs. One line that really stuck with me was when Hogan talks about guys in the gym who are not blown up on drugs are told "Why are you bothering showing up". This book is written by Hogan, so it is going to be from his point of view, which is to be expected. Remember this book was written when Hogan had no reason to protect or damn the wrestling business. All in all, I enjoyed this book all the way through.
December 29, 2021
Hogan’s life story is interesting but he comes off as exceedingly naive and at times, it is difficult to believe his thinking and understanding of events around him. He controlled his wrestling persona but his personal life was out of control, almost as if he were a bystander and events were conspiring around him. He laments his failing marriage repeatedly over many years, and his struggles with his children. Some of this story is very sweet and certainly interesting. I hated it at first, enjoyed a lot of the middle and then muddled through in the end. The muddling was due to gossip where Hogan “heard” or was told something that happens to shine him, which ironically is what pro wrestling critics have said he has done his entire career.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2017
Unofficially my rating is 3.5 stars, but they don't allow half stars.
If it hadn't run a bit long, I may have given it 4 stars. I did learn a few new things about his early life & his retirement life & struggles.
Still telling a big lie about Andre the Giant being 700 lbs at Wrestlemania 3, & for some reason he thinks David Letterman's show was on the air in 1978-79. His late night show didn't debut til 1982.
Maybe too many chair shots to the head.
If it hadn't run a bit long, I may have given it 4 stars. I did learn a few new things about his early life & his retirement life & struggles.
Still telling a big lie about Andre the Giant being 700 lbs at Wrestlemania 3, & for some reason he thinks David Letterman's show was on the air in 1978-79. His late night show didn't debut til 1982.
Maybe too many chair shots to the head.
April 4, 2021
I enjoyed this book and hearing Hulk Hogans side of on how his marriage crumbled and his sons car accident as we can be so quick to believe what the media tells us. I also loved learning more about how he came up the wrestling industry.
I would like to see another book from him discussing his life from 2009 to present. Especially his racist behavior and if/how he actually changed his behavior and mindset.
I would like to see another book from him discussing his life from 2009 to present. Especially his racist behavior and if/how he actually changed his behavior and mindset.
August 6, 2024
I’m not a Hulk Hogan fan, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t fascinated by the man. The book is from 2009 and a lot has changed in his life since then. This is his second book. There is some juicy drama and some good stories in there. Some of the information is repeated from his previous book. I don’t buy all of what he’s selling here or believe it, but it’s an entertaining yarn from Hulk Hogan.
December 19, 2018
Interesting enough, a bit better than his other book which has a lot of redundancies
December 13, 2020
This brought back of memories of watching wrestling with my Grandpa. I enjoyed the conversational tone.
May 4, 2021
It's an ok read, little all over the place, interesting life outside the ring, had a real effect on his family life. Felt a little thrown together.
Read
November 28, 2021Really good read. Going from his highs in the business too contemplating suicide shows you (it did me anyways) that money and "success " won't always make you happy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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