Hollywood legend Sylvester Stallone is known for portraying tough, unbreakable characters on the big screen — but behind the muscle and grit is a man who endured years of emotional pain growing up.

The 78-year-old actor recently shared a deeply personal story about his difficult childhood during a candid conversation on the Unwaxed Podcast, hosted by his daughters Sophia and Sistine.

In the episode, Stallone revealed that one of the most powerful scenes in Rocky II — where Rocky has a heated confrontation with his trainer, Mickey — was actually rooted in his own unresolved anger toward his father.