Dwayne Johnson recently made headlines at the Venice Film Festival, not just for the 15-minute standing ovation his film The Smashing Machine received, but also for his remarkable 60-pound weight loss to portray MMA fighter Mark Kerr. The transformation, which sparked both admiration and speculation online, was achieved under the guidance of his long-time personal trainer, Dave Rienzi.
Dave Rienzi has worked with The Rock since 2011, starting when Dwayne was preparing for his WWE comeback and major film roles like Fast Five and Pain & Gain. Rienzi, a seasoned trainer and entrepreneur, owns RIENZI Strength & Conditioning in Sunrise, Florida, and has also partnered with Johnson to launch Zoa Energy, a line of energy drinks.
Their relationship has a unique personal twist: Dave Rienzi is married to Dwayne’s ex-wife, Dany Garcia. Despite the potential for awkwardness, the trio remains close, and Johnson has publicly embraced their dynamic. Dany, a producer and businesswoman, was managing The Rock post-divorce and helped facilitate his connection with Dave due to his expertise in biomechanics and training. Rienzi has praised Dwayne’s dedication, describing him as “driven, disciplined, and determined to do the work.”
The recent weight loss for The Smashing Machine was a testament to that discipline, with fans lauding his effort while some speculated about the use of weight-loss aids like Ozempic. Ultimately, it highlights both Dwayne’s commitment to his craft and the unusual but effective professional and personal relationship that supports him.