Laura Jane Grace revealed that CM Punk provided her with crucial motivation when she faced challenges in her life. Grace, the lead singer of Against Me!, shared this during an interview with Philadelphia Gay News while discussing her new album, Adventure Club. The conversation touched on how her connection with the professional wrestler CM Punk developed, highlighting that she initially didn’t know much about his wrestling career despite his fandom of her band.
How Pro Wrestlers Became Unlikely Fans of Against Me!
Grace described the surprising following her band attracted among pro wrestlers early on. Though she was unfamiliar with wrestling, she recalled that members of the wrestling community, including Josh Prohibition and M-Dogg 20, frequently attended their basement shows. Their imposing appearance initially intimidated the band, but they soon recognized these wrestlers as kind and supportive.
“It’s fucking weird. Somehow Against Me! ended up having a lot of pro-wrestler fans. I have no clue how it happened,”
Grace said.
“But then they were the nicest people ever. CM Punk ended up being a fan and he would come to shows and we had a couple mutual friends and so we hung out with him. I’ve never watched wrestling. I just knew, Oh this guy is a famous wrestler, but he could not be a nicer person.”
The Moment When CM Punk’s Candid Advice Changed Grace’s Path
During a difficult period while striving to get sober and improve her health, Grace reached out to CM Punk for help. Knowing Punk’s reputation for being straight-edge and disciplined, she asked if he could recommend a personal trainer. Instead of offering a trainer’s name, Punk delivered a blunt piece of motivation that deeply resonated with her and became a turning point in her recovery and fitness journey.
“When I was working on getting sober and I was really unhealthy at the time, I reached out to him at one point and asked if he could recommend a personal trainer. I’m trying to get in shape, trying to get sober and stuff like that,”
Grace recalled.
“And he just really bluntly was like, No, fuck that. You don’t need that if you’re serious. You’ll just do it.”
She added,
“Ouch, that’s fucking harsh. But he was 100% right and it was completely the motivation I needed, so I’m forever indebted to CM Punk.”
The Lasting Impact of CM Punk’s Support on Grace’s Life
This encounter illustrates how CM Punk’s straightforward honesty inspired Grace to take control of her health and sobriety. Their friendship, rooted in mutual respect despite their different worlds, has provided Grace with a vital source of encouragement during her personal transformation. As she continues to promote Adventure Club, Grace’s story stands as a testament to the unexpected ways support and motivation can come from unlikely places.
