Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Read the full article here: gardinerbryant.com/he-taught-me-what-a-real-hero-looks-like
When Hulk Hogan turned heel and became Hollywood Hogan, my six-year-old self lost a hero. Wrestling had given me an ideal to believe in, but suddenly that illusion was gone.
Then I found Cactus Jack. He didn't look or sound like any other wrestler--he looked like my uncle. As a young, undiagnosed autistic child who felt out of step with everyone else, that difference inspired an instant connection.
Everything shifted at King of the Ring 1998 during *that* #HellInACell match. After taking a 16-foot fall off the cage, Mankind’s mask was removed, and my dad finally broke kayfabe: "His name is @Realmickfoley"
It was upsetting. That very real peril on display versus the trappings of a fake, pre-planned event. I asked my dad if this meant it was all fake. My dad replied, "Did that look fake to you?"
In that moment wrestling simultaneously became less real and more real to me. It taught me how to relish contradiction and find not just peace -- but enjoyment -- in cognitive dissonance.
Fast forward to recently: work has been particularly taxing. My physical and mental health have taken a hit. Seeing me struggle, Emily surprised me with a personalized Cameo from Mick Foley.
That sick, cynical part of my mind was screaming, "He was paid to say this; he doesn't even know me." But hearing Mrs. Foley’s Baby Boy call me out by name, mention my hometown, and tell me that both he and Emily believe in me? It transported me right back to that 1998 realization.
#ProWrestling taught me that something can be staged and genuinely meaningful at the exact same time. What mattered was how it made me feel.
I’m choosing to *have a nice day.*
Thank you, Mick.
#MickFoley #ProWrestling #WWE #CactusJack #Mankind #Kayfabe #KingOfTheRing #MentalHealthMatters #CognitiveDissonance #HaveANiceDay #HardcoreLegend #WrestlingCommunity #Storytelling
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About Gardiner Bryant: A native Maine resident, Gardiner (yes, that's his first name) is an enthusiastic Linux evangelist, a believer in the efficacy and superiority of the Free and Open Source way, and President of Heavy Element. Heavy Element offers web design, media production, and YouTube consulting services to individuals and companies in Maine and beyond.
heavyelement.com
Gardiner Bryant is a privacy advocate and public speaker on the topic. Learn more about his speaking series and schedule an engagement at your institution at gardinerbryant.com
Read the full article here: gardinerbryant.com/he-taught-me-what-a-real-hero-looks-like
When Hulk Hogan turned heel and became Hollywood Hogan, my six-year-old self lost a hero. Wrestling had given me an ideal to believe in, but suddenly that illusion was gone.
Then I found Cactus Jack. He didn't look or sound like any other wrestler--he looked like my uncle. As a young, undiagnosed autistic child who felt out of step with everyone else, that difference inspired an instant connection.
Everything shifted at King of the Ring 1998 during *that* #HellInACell match. After taking a 16-foot fall off the cage, Mankind’s mask was removed, and my dad finally broke kayfabe: "His name is @Realmickfoley"
It was upsetting. That very real peril on display versus the trappings of a fake, pre-planned event. I asked my dad if this meant it was all fake. My dad replied, "Did that look fake to you?"
In that moment wrestling simultaneously became less real and more real to me. It taught me how to relish contradiction and find not just peace -- but enjoyment -- in cognitive dissonance.
Fast forward to recently: work has been particularly taxing. My physical and mental health have taken a hit. Seeing me struggle, Emily surprised me with a personalized Cameo from Mick Foley.
That sick, cynical part of my mind was screaming, "He was paid to say this; he doesn't even know me." But hearing Mrs. Foley’s Baby Boy call me out by name, mention my hometown, and tell me that both he and Emily believe in me? It transported me right back to that 1998 realization.
#ProWrestling taught me that something can be staged and genuinely meaningful at the exact same time. What mattered was how it made me feel.
I’m choosing to *have a nice day.*
Thank you, Mick.
#MickFoley #ProWrestling #WWE #CactusJack #Mankind #Kayfabe #KingOfTheRing #MentalHealthMatters #CognitiveDissonance #HaveANiceDay #HardcoreLegend #WrestlingCommunity #Storytelling
*Support the Show*
❯ ✒️ Become a Member: metrics.gardinerbryant.com/q/tbr-membership
❯ 🎮 Humble affiliate: metrics.gardinerbryant.com/q/humble
❯ 🕹️ GOG affiliate: metrics.gardinerbryant.com/q/-gog
❯ 🛒 Amazon affiliate: metrics.gardinerbryant.com/q/amazon
❯ 🪙 Bitcoin: bc1qgz3r4yhzvxm7s8srutkvlnm2c70n8gga4j259e
*My Game*
❯ Get the source code: github.com/heavyelementinc/dudelings-foss
❯ Dudelings on Humble: metrics.gardinerbryant.com/q/dudelings-humble
❯ Dudelings: Arcade Sportsball: metrics.gardinerbryant.com/q/dudelings-steam
❯ Dudelings on Itch.io: metrics.gardinerbryant.com/q/dudelings-itch
*Affiliate links*
Services I Recommend:
❯ RackNerd Affiliate Link: metrics.gardinerbryant.com/q/racknerd-yt
❯ RackNerd Virtual Private Servers: metrics.gardinerbryant.com/q/racknerd-vps
❯ RackNerd 200GB Shared Hosting: metrics.gardinerbryant.com/q/racknerd-200gb
❯ RackNerd Intel Xeon Bare Metal Server: metrics.gardinerbryant.com/q/racknerd-xeon
*Private Email & More:*
❯ Proton Drive: metrics.gardinerbryant.com/q/proton-drive
❯ Proton Pass: metrics.gardinerbryant.com/q/proton-pass
❯ Proton VPN: metrics.gardinerbryant.com/q/proton-vpn
❯ Proton Mail: metrics.gardinerbryant.com/q/proton-mail
*Best Steam Deck Accessories:*
❯ SanDisk 1 TB card: amzn.to/3z8mMfH
❯ Steam Deck Dock: amzn.to/3PDjgkt
❯ Steam Deck accessories: amzn.to/4c2XKkM
❯ DualSense: amzn.to/3WR1u1R
❯ Gulikit KK3 Max controller amzn.to/4dqRaoC
❯ DualSense Edge: amzn.to/4cuzIyd
❯ 8Bitdo Pro 2: amzn.to/46R7hcz
❯ Amazon Suggested Products: amzn.to/4fAha2h
*Elsewhere on the Web*
❯ ✍🏻 My Writings: gardinerbryant.com
❯ 🎙️ My Podcast: podcast.subscribeto.me
❯ ✉️ Email Newsletter: heavyelement.com/newsletter
❯ 🐘 Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@gardiner_bryant
❯ 💬 Matrix Chat: matrix.to/#/#the-bryant-review:matrix.org
❯ 🌐 Heavy Element: heavyelement.com
About Gardiner Bryant: A native Maine resident, Gardiner (yes, that's his first name) is an enthusiastic Linux evangelist, a believer in the efficacy and superiority of the Free and Open Source way, and President of Heavy Element. Heavy Element offers web design, media production, and YouTube consulting services to individuals and companies in Maine and beyond.
heavyelement.com
Gardiner Bryant is a privacy advocate and public speaker on the topic. Learn more about his speaking series and schedule an engagement at your institution at gardinerbryant.com
