Bryan Danielson Shares How Depression Impacted His Marriage With Brie Bella

As they approach their 11th wedding anniversary, Bryan Danielson joined wife Brie Bella on her Nikki & Brie Show podcast for an intimate and heartfelt conversation about their 14 years as a couple. The discussion touched on love, personal growth, parenting, and the realities of navigating marriage while dealing with depression.

โ€œEleven years, Bryan. Does it feel like youโ€™ve been married to me for 11 years?โ€ Brie asked. Danielson replied, โ€œIt doesnโ€™t seem like our marriage has been 11 years,โ€ noting how surreal it feels that their daughter Birdie is turning eight. โ€œWhere did the time go?โ€ he mused, adding, โ€œParents always say that, but now itโ€™s happening to us.โ€ Brie echoed the sentiment: โ€œWhen I look in the mirror, Iโ€™m like, well, clearly I donโ€™t look like Brie that started dating Bryanโ€ฆ but it feels like itโ€™s gone fast.โ€

The couple reflected on the longevity of their relationship, with Danielson remarking, โ€œItโ€™s weird to think that we have been together in our adult lives longer than we werenโ€™t together at this point. Thatโ€™s crazy.โ€

Asked to name a favorite memory outside of their honeymoon, Danielson joked about Brie losing their keys during the trip before shifting focus to the joy found in everyday moments. โ€œThe things I really cherish are just the everyday things,โ€ he said, citing examples like shared hugs with their kids and carrying their son Buddy together after school. โ€œHe was being carried by both of us, and he was just so happy.โ€ Brie agreed: โ€œItโ€™s those moments that we rejoice so much that I feel like makes our marriage really great.โ€

The conversation also candidly addressed mental health, with Danielson speaking openly about his struggles. โ€œMy depression would be something that I think negatively impacts our relationship, or it feels like it does sometimes,โ€ he admitted. Brie recalled how challenging that was in the early years. โ€œI wanted to be the clown and make you happy,โ€ she said. It was a doctorโ€™s advice during Danielsonโ€™s brain scans that shifted her perspective. โ€œI was working overtime just trying to make him happy,โ€ she said, โ€œbut the doctor told me I had to learn how to live my life even when he was in that space.โ€

Brieโ€™s understanding evolved over time. โ€œNow when I see youโ€™re in it, itโ€™s easy for me. Granted, is it still hard? Yes, but I have such a great understanding now.โ€ Danielson acknowledged the emotional weight it can place on a partner: โ€œItโ€™s hard for the significant other of somebody whoโ€™s experiencing depression.โ€

They credited teamwork as the foundation of their resilience. โ€œYou and I act as a team, and I think thatโ€™s where it falls in a lot of relationships,โ€ Danielson said. Brie praised him as a father, saying, โ€œParenting is not easy for anybodyโ€ฆ but you make it easy.โ€ She also shared how she had to let go of pushing him into social situations. โ€œI tried to force Bryan so much in the beginning, because I always wanted him to be with me. But then I realized his social anxieties, and I finally let go.โ€

Danielson emphasized the importance of adapting as a couple: โ€œAs you are changing, as I am changing, our relationship is changing. We canโ€™t hold ourselves to the same expectations that we had from 14 years ago.โ€ He also underscored the need for continued appreciation. โ€œYou get so used to how amazing someone is that it becomes commonplaceโ€ฆ But I regularly remind myself, โ€˜My wifeโ€™s a rock star.โ€™โ€

Brie concluded by affirming the power of spoken gratitude: โ€œWe both do a great job at telling each other how much those acts of kindness mean.โ€

Together, Danielson and Bella offered a moving portrait of a marriage grounded in love, mutual respect, growth, and emotional honestyโ€”a reflection of two people who continue to choose each other through every chapter of life.