Chris Hemsworth has provided an update after a shocking health discovery sparked rumors he may be leaving Hollywood.
The 41 year old Thor star discovered that he had a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease, which made him eight to ten times more likely to develop the disease.
While filming for Boundlessa Disney+ show that explores different ways people can live healthier, longer lives, Hemsworth was faced with a series of epic physical challenges, including diving into icy water or climbing skyscrapers.
Although Hemsworth didn’t expect to receive the “intense” news about the “fun” show, he has since used the findings to reprioritize his life, sharing a very personal update on the impact the discovery has had on his life and relationships.
The actor is married to Spanish model and actor Elsa Pataky, and the couple shares three children, including twin sons and a daughter.
“The imagined scenario is always worse than reality,” he said Body + Soul magazine.“But it certainly made me think about my future.”
He explained that his high expectations for himself led him to pay less attention to his body.
“I used to have the mentality that if I didn’t crawl out of the gym, I didn’t work hard enough,” he continued.
“But I’m also listening to my body more, being patient with the process, and not just crushing myself in every session.”
He explained that he has reconsidered the sustainability of his previous work-life balance, both in terms of his health and his relationship with his family and children.
“I was going from job to job and getting stressed,” he said. “I always gave an extra 20 percent of my time. Sometimes it was just excessive, and sometimes it had diminishing returns.
He added, “Maybe there’s a project I would like, but doing it means I’m home less. Alternatively, I can see that I’ve been home enough to feel like I’m not going to work and full of guilt that I should be home.
And that’s kind of a daily conversation that we all have in our lives, whether you’re in this industry or another.”
Hemsworth has previously addressed rumors that the discovery of his predisposition to dementia led to his retirement.
“It really made me angry because I felt like I had been vulnerable with something personal and shared it,” he said Vanity fair.
“No matter how many times I said, ‘This is not a death sentence,’ the narrative became that I have dementia and I’m rethinking my life and retiring and so on.”