Introducing Nick Santonastasso, a 21-year-old bodybuilder who is hanging out with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and other big names in Hollywood despite having only one arm and no legs.

At the time of his birth, Santonastasso was one of just 12 persons worldwide affected by the extremely rare genetic condition known as Hanhart syndrome, eight of whom had already passed away. At the time, doctors had given him only a thirty percent chance of surviving; today, he’s living life to the fullest. In a viral practical joke, he scared the living daylights out of “Walking Dead” star Norman Reedus. Most recently, The Rock noticed him at the gym over the weekend.
Meet “The Rock’s” 22-year-old bodybuilder inspiration.

When questioned about the encounter he posted about on his Instagram page, Santonastasso said, “This was a crazy story,” TooFab Monday.

While Santonastasso was exercising at the upscale City Athletic Club in Las Vegas, which frequently welcomes celebrities and bodybuilders, a commotion began to arise around The Rock’s arrival. Nevertheless, he kept it cool and made sure his pals did too, rather than going up to the action star.

Chris Van Vliet, “Nick Santonastasso Inspires the Hell Out of Me: Born Without Legs and One Arm”

Santonastasso remembered saying, “If he’s real and this is how The Rock presents himself, then we won’t have to go up to this guy so just focus on the lift and let everyone else freak out.”

The plan worked, and he found himself working out side by side with the former WWE superstar, who is currently the biggest film actor in Hollywood. As expected, Santonastasso was contacted by a bodyguard asking whether he would be interested in having a private meeting with The Rock. Thanks to his hilarious posts on Vine, the now-defunct video platform on Twitter, and his impressive social media presence, it turns out that The Rock knew precisely who Santonastasso was.

He said, “It felt like we both respected each other and what we did—it was an instant [connection].” And it was a wonderful feeling, akin to being approached by The Rock and told, “You’re amazing.”

When he looks back, Santonastasso is still shocked that his hero is a fan and has asked to take a picture of him rather than the other way around.

My Handsome | The Rock Dwayne Johnson, Dwayne the Rock, Rock Johnson is pinned by Luz Marie.

He went on to describe his intention to approach several occupations and successes the way The Rock has since his college football days, saying, “It was the most humbling experience.” It seems that his idol also has complete faith in him.“That’s what I’m going to do,” I said, and he responded, “You know what, man, you’re just like me.” People will place you in any industry, and because that’s what we do, you will adapt and succeed there.

According to Santonastasso, TooFab, he reached his lowest point before accepting his unusual physique and choosing not to let it stop him from achieving his objectives.

“The central query was invariably why. Why am I this way from birth? Why am I forced to face so many difficulties that other children find incomprehensible? Why? Why? Why? What action will I take? What kind of work will I do? Like other people, I can’t work ordinary employment,” he remarked.

Santonastasso’s parents didn’t cater to his disability, and taught him early on that he needed to teach himself how to be self-sufficient. Instead of dressing him, they simply put clothes in front of him and let him “figure it out.”

“Until middle school and high school, I didn’t really realize I was different growing up,” he added. “But my parents always raised me and engraved in my head, ‘Nick the world is not going to stop just because you’re going to have this disability. You know, you’re going to have to figure out how to do everything in this world Nick’s way, so you’re going to have to figure out how to adapt to it.’ And it’s among the things that have shaped who I am now.

Santonastasso and The Rock also have another connection: wrestling.

“Wrestling saved my life,” Santonastasso told TooFab.

But in order to safely compete without injuring himself or his competitor, he had to laser down the bone that was slightly sticking out of his other arm. And once his parents agreed to have the procedure, Santonastasso started to focus on his body alignment and resistance with his trainer.

“The only disability I saw that I had was that my arm hurt, not that I had no legs and one arm because I was confident in my ability to put my work in day in and day out. I knew that my hard work and consistency would make up for my lack of limbs.”

Santonastasso is now a fitness model, keynote speaker and an author on the skill of confidence since he believes that was the skill that motivated him to become successful in any industry he desires.

“The one thing I want people to take way is just to try things,” he said. “Life is short.”