Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 2, 2025 · Entertainment

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's Jaw-Dropping Weight Loss: Secrets Revealed!

Famed for his huge stature, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson stunned fans this week when he debuted a much slimmer frame - now an expert has revealed how he achieved the transformation (pictured on Saturday)

The Rock's Jaw-Dropping Transformation: Has Dwayne Johnson Gone from Hercules to Skeleton?

In a shocking move that has left fans and critics alike stunned, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has unveiled a dramatically slimmer physique at the 82nd Venice Film Festival. The former wrestler, now 53 years young, is known for his chiseled muscles and imposing frame, but this latest transformation has many wondering if he's gone too far.

Johnson's latest project, The Smashing Machine, sees him playing the role of Mark Kerr, a mixed martial arts and UFC champion. To get into character, Johnson reportedly shed an astonishing 60 pounds, leaving fans to speculate about his weight loss secrets. Was it a combination of intense training and a strict diet, or did he resort to more drastic measures, such as using Ozempic or Mounjaro?

Dwayne previously admitted that when he made his break into Hollywood in the mid-2000s he was told to lose weight in order to be taken seriously as an actor, but in recent years he has looked more ripped than ever (pictured in 2022)

The Rock's Transformation: A Journey of Self-Discovery

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Johnson revealed that this transformation was a personal journey for him. "I had been very fortunate to have the career that I've had over the years and to make the films that I've made, but there was just a voice inside of me, a little voice that said, 'Well, what if I could do more — I want to do more and what does that look like?'" Johnson explained.

But what exactly went into this transformation? According to Kunal Makwana, a personal trainer and the founder of KMAK Fitness, it was all about discipline and precision. "Losing around 60 pounds, especially for someone as muscular as Dwayne Johnson, requires an incredibly disciplined approach," Makwana said in an exclusive interview with thescholarlynote.com.

Dwayne, 53, is currently promoting his latest project, The Smashing Machine, in which he is nearly unrecognisable as mixed martial arts and UFC champion Mark Kerr (pictured)

The Diet: A Strict Regimen

Makwana revealed that Johnson's diet would have been a tightly controlled calorie-deficit eating plan, focusing on creating a deficit while maintaining high protein intake to preserve muscle mass. "It's less about quick fixes and more about precision," Makwana explained. "Every meal would have been weighed, and every calorie accounted for, with absolutely no processed foods, snacks or takeaways allowed."

The Training: An Athlete's Regime

Dwayne is said to have used prosthetics and a wig to look more like the 56-year-old former college wrestler-turned-MMA champ - but it's his striking weight loss which has grabbed the attention of fans (pictured on Monday)

To shed the weight, Johnson must have had training sessions throughout each day, like that of an athlete, Makwana said. "Strength training would have been the key focus to preserve his muscle, but he'd also have included a huge amount of conditioning work such as cardio sessions, high-intensity interval training, and fight-specific drills to reflect the role he's preparing for."

The Controversy: Ozempic or Mounjaro?

With many celebrities resorting to weight loss jabs like Ozempic and Mounjaro, some fans speculated that Johnson might have followed suit. However, Makwana is adamant that this is unlikely. "The jabs work primarily by suppressing appetite which is not a tool someone like him would benefit from, because he needs to fuel hours of grueling training every day," Makwana explained.

Now, an expert has revealed to the Daily Mail the secrets behind how the star has achieved such an extreme transformation (Dwayner pictured in 2002)

A Cautionary Tale: The Dangers of Quick Fixes

Kunal's words serve as a warning to those who might try and replicate Johnson's transformation. "Safe weight loss results in just one or two pounds per week shedded, with 60 pounds taking over a year to lose," Makwana cautioned. "With world-class trainers and nutritionists to hand, I'd expect a transformation like this to take around six months."

A Glimpse into Johnson's Past: His Battle with Gut Health

Kunal Makwana, a personal trainer and the founder of KMAK Fitness, explained that a combination of tightly controlled calorie deficit eating and a strict training regime could account for the weight loss (Dwayne pictured in 2013)

Interestingly, in June, Johnson appeared on the Dr. Mark Hyman Show, explaining that he had turned to functional medicine physician Dr. Mark for help with a gut-related problem. Tests revealed that multiple rounds of antibiotics had damaged the lining of his intestines, prompting Dr. Mark to prescribe a health regimen to rehab Johnson's gut.

In conclusion, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's transformation has left fans in awe, but also raises questions about the lengths he went to achieve this new physique. As the debate rages on, one thing is certain – this is a cautionary tale about the dangers of quick fixes and the importance of a balanced approach to weight loss.

Sources:

  • thescholarlynote.com: Exclusive interview with Kunal Makwana
  • The Hollywood Reporter: Interview with Dwayne Johnson
  • Dr. Mark Hyman Show: Episode featuring Dwayne Johnson