Bryan Danielson Gets Real About Depression’s Impact on His Marriage to Brie Bella

Bryan Danielson and Brie Bella just dropped some real talk—and it wasn’t in the ring. On a new episode of The Nikki & Brie Show, the couple got brutally honest about love, marriage, depression, and parenting ahead of their 11th wedding anniversary. And let’s just say, this was no polished PR segment—this was raw, emotional, and full of truth.

“It doesn’t seem like our marriage has been 11 years,” Bryan told Brie. She added, “I have to say, it hasn’t felt that long… When I look in the mirror, I’m like, well, clearly I don’t look like Brie that started dating Bryan… but it feels like it’s gone fast.”

The duo reflected on how surreal it feels that their daughter Birdie is turning eight, with Bryan admitting, “Where did the time go?” But it wasn’t the big milestones that hit him hardest—it was the little moments, like walking their son Buddy home from school together. “He wanted you to carry him, but he also wanted me to, like, hug you as we’re walking… Not only was Buddy being carried, he was being carried by both of us, and he was just so happy.” That simple joy? That’s what makes it all worth it for Bryan.

But it hasn’t all been sunshine and double hugs. Bryan got real about struggling with depression and how it’s affected their marriage. “My depression would be something that I think negatively impacts our relationship,” he said. Brie recalled how tough it was in the beginning when she tried to play the clown to lift his spirits—until a doctor gave her a reality check. “You’re never gonna make him happy when he’s in it, because it’s not about that,” the doctor told her.

That moment changed everything for Brie. “Now it’s like, when I see you’re in it, it’s like, easy for me. Like, it doesn’t feel hard,” she said, explaining how learning to cope changed the dynamic in their relationship. Bryan admitted, “It’s hard for the significant other of somebody who’s experiencing depression.”

They talked openly about adapting to each other’s personalities, with Brie saying she used to “force Bryan so much… because I always wanted to be with me.” Bryan added, “As you are changing, as I am changing, our relationship is changing… we can’t hold ourselves to the same expectations that we had from 14 years ago.”

One of the most emotional moments came when Bryan explained how easy it is to take love for granted. “How often, after being together for 14 years, do we tell our relatives, our friends or whatever, ‘Oh my gosh, my wife is this amazing person?’ Because you get so used to how amazing you are, that it becomes commonplace,” he said. “The rock star part of you is the way you are with the kids, the way you are with people.”

Brie agreed, adding, “I feel like we both do a great job at telling each other how much those acts of kindness mean.”

Through all the changes, struggles, and late-night parenting chaos, Bryan and Brie are proof that real love is about showing up—even when it’s hard.

What do you think about Bryan and Brie’s relationship journey? Do you relate to their struggles and how they’ve grown through them? Drop your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear how you navigate love and life with your partner.