Here is a recent interview with Mike “The Miz” Mizanin published recently by Metro.co.uk:
Why did you want to become a wrestler?
When I was a kid, I was inspired by those larger-than-life characters such as Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior. I did the reality show The Real World, which made me realise I could do anything I wanted to in life. I’m from Ohio and the expectation was you go to high school, then college, then come home and get a job and a family and that’s where you stay. The Real World showed me I don’t have to do that small city thing – I wanted to become a WWE Superstar and I did it.