My Wife’s Fitness Addiction Seemed Innocent – When I Found Out the Truth behind It, It Broke Our Family

My wife Jane’s love for fitness started as a healthy habit. But little did I know, her trips to the gym were hiding a shocking secret that would shatter our family.

Woman exercising on a mat | Source: Pexels

Woman exercising on a mat | Source: Pexels

Jane had always been into fitness. She loved working out, especially during college. Recently, though, her gym routine took over her life. What started as a few visits a week turned into a daily obsession.

At first, I thought nothing of it. Jane was 40 and still in great shape. She balanced her job with taking care of our kids, who were five and nine.

About 18 months ago, she started going back to the gym. It fit into her schedule, so I didn’t see a problem. Then, things changed.

Woman training at the gym | Source: Pexels

Woman training at the gym | Source: Pexels

She began going every day, even on weekends. She started doing double sessions, one in the morning and one in the evening. It felt extreme, especially since she was four months pregnant.

I noticed she was irritable when she missed a session. “It’s like she’s a junkie needing a fix,” I thought. I shared my concerns, but Jane got upset. “The gym is my time,” she said. I suggested working out together, but she refused.

Woman using a leg press machine at a gym | Source: Pexels

Woman using a leg press machine at a gym | Source: Pexels

I confronted her one evening after she got back from the gym. “Jane, we need to talk,” I began, trying to keep my voice calm.

She sighed. “Peter, can this wait? I’m exhausted.”

“No, it can’t wait. I’m worried about you. You’re at the gym all the time. It’s not healthy, especially with the baby on the way.”

Jane’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t understand. The gym helps me relax. It’s my escape.”

“Escape from what?” I asked, my frustration growing. “From me? From the kids?”

Woman working out at the gym | Source: Pexels

Woman working out at the gym | Source: Pexels

She threw her gym bag on the floor. “No, Peter. It’s not about you or the kids. It’s my time. I need it.”

“You’re overdoing it,” I insisted. “You’re missing out on time with us. The chores are piling up. People are starting to notice. Some even think you might be having an affair.”

Her face flushed with anger. “An affair? Seriously, Peter? That’s absurd.”

“Is it?” I shot back. “Because it feels like you’re hiding something. You won’t even let me join you at the gym.”

A couple quarreling | Source: Pexels

A couple quarreling | Source: Pexels

“That’s because I need this for myself!” she shouted. “Why can’t you understand that?”

“Because it’s tearing us apart,” I said, my voice breaking. “I miss you, Jane. The kids miss you.”

Jane’s expression softened for a moment, but then she shook her head. “I can’t give this up, Peter. I won’t.”

We stood there in silence, the distance between us growing. Finally, she picked up her bag and walked past me. “I’m going to bed,” she said quietly. “We’ll talk about this later.”

An up-close image of a sad woman | Source: Pexels

An up-close image of a sad woman | Source: Pexels

I wasn’t insecure. I also worked out and stayed in shape for my job. But Jane’s obsession with the gym was different. She was over-exercising and neglecting chores, leaving them all to me. People around us noticed.

They commented on her constant gym visits and how she’d changed. Some even hinted at an affair. It made me afraid to face our close circle of friends and family. I felt embarrassed and ashamed. The rumors were like a dark cloud hanging over me.

A pensive man looking out the window | Source: Pexels

A pensive man looking out the window | Source: Pexels

Every time I saw someone whispering or casting a sympathetic glance my way, it cut deep. I started to avoid social gatherings, fearing the inevitable questions and silent judgments.

Emotionally, I was a wreck. My mind was constantly racing, filled with thoughts of Jane’s strange behavior and the possibility of her being unfaithful.

A man standing by the window | Source: Pexels

A man standing by the window | Source: Pexels

I felt betrayed, but more than that, I felt helpless. I couldn’t shake off the anxiety that gnawed at me every day. My confidence was shattered, and I started doubting myself. Was I not good enough? Had I failed as a husband? These thoughts consumed me, making it hard to focus on anything else.

I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I needed answers. Recently, I followed her to the gym. I waited 20 minutes before going in as a visitor. After changing clothes, I walked into the main hall.

A fitness club lined with gym equipment | Source: Pexels

A fitness club lined with gym equipment | Source: Pexels

I was amazed. There was Jane, teaching aerobics to about 20 men. “She must be working here as a trainer,” I thought. I went to the registration to check. They confirmed it – Jane was conducting personal lessons there.

Relief washed over me. This explained her absence. I decided to wait for her near the hall. When the training ended, the men left. But then I went in and saw Jane kissing a man. Anger surged through me.

A couple kissing while lifting barbells | Source: Pexels

A couple kissing while lifting barbells | Source: Pexels

“What are you doing?” I shouted. “Are you cheating on me?”

Jane’s eyes widened in shock. “Peter, what are you doing here?” she stammered, pulling away from the man.

“I followed you, Jane. I had to know what was going on,” I said, my voice trembling with rage. “And now I see it. Who is he?”

The man stepped forward, his expression smug. “I’m James,” he said. “Jane and I… we love each other.”

“Love?” I echoed, my heart breaking. “Jane, you’re pregnant with our child. How could you do this?”

Jane’s face crumpled, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Peter. I didn’t mean for this to happen. But James and I… we just connected.”

A close-up of a woman crying | Source: Pexels

A close-up of a woman crying | Source: Pexels

“Connected?” I repeated, feeling a surge of bitterness. “While I’m at home, taking care of everything, you’re here with him?”

James put an arm around Jane, and I wanted to punch him. “We’ll make it work, Peter. I’ll take care of her, and the baby too,” he said confidently.

I looked at Jane, searching her eyes for any sign of the woman I married. “Is this really what you want?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Jane nodded, her eyes full of pain. “Yes, Peter. I’m sorry. I can’t live a lie anymore.”

I turned away, feeling the weight of betrayal crush me. “Then we’re done,” I said, my voice hollow. “I’ll file for divorce. And I’ll demand a paternity test.”

I walked out of the gym, my world shattered, leaving Jane in tears.

A close-up of a sad woman holding a tissue | Source: Pexels

A close-up of a sad woman holding a tissue | Source: Pexels

I filed for divorce and demanded a paternity test. Jane took her belongings and left with her lover.

It broke me. Our 15-year marriage ended so abruptly. Jane explained, “I finally found true love at 40.”

She was willing to share custody of our kids. The paternity test confirmed I was the father of her child.

A man and a woman reading a document | Source: Pexels

A man and a woman reading a document | Source: Pexels

Months later, I heard from relatives that James had been treating Jane poorly. He also started being distant toward Jane, just like she was to me. He snapped at her every chance he got and made her feel worthless.

Jane, who once thrived on attention and affection, was now craving the love and support she had taken for granted. James, once attentive and caring, became cold and dismissive.

A man sitting on a couch | Source: Pexels

A man sitting on a couch | Source: Pexels

He would leave the house for long hours, sometimes not even bothering to tell Jane where he was going. The vibrant woman I once knew was now a shadow of herself, living in constant anxiety and regret.

Arguments became frequent. Jane would plead, “James, please talk to me. We can work through this.”

But James would snap back, “I don’t have time for this, Jane. You’re always nagging. Just leave me alone.”

A distant couple sitting on a sofa | Source: Pexels

A distant couple sitting on a sofa | Source: Pexels

Each harsh word and cold shoulder chipped away at her. She realized too late the mistake she had made. The man she left me for was not the loving partner she thought he would be. He made her feel insignificant and alone.

Jane found herself reflecting on our life together, understanding now the stability and care she had traded away. When we spent time with the kids, she barely looked me in the eye.

People sitting on a couch with their devices | Source: Pexels

People sitting on a couch with their devices | Source: Pexels

She was embarrassed about how her life had turned out. Her once confident demeanor was now replaced by a sense of shame and regret. She tried to put on a brave face for the kids, but I could see the pain behind her eyes.

She was haunted by the choices she made, knowing she had thrown away a stable and loving family for a relationship that quickly soured.

Surprisingly, it amused me. She deserved it for her betrayal. I moved on, focusing on our kids and rebuilding my life without her.

A man and his children looking at a tablet | Source: Pexels

A man and his children looking at a tablet | Source: Pexels

Growing up as a gay child, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper thought he would never be able to have his own children

Nearing sixty, Anderson Cooper had already ended his relationship with Benjamin Maisani, his longtime partner, when he became a father. The two ex-couples did, however, reunite, but not in a romantic setting.

It took years before Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani’s relationship was made public because they were so secretive about it. The couple’s dating history dates back to 2009.

The pair was revealed to be residing together at Anderson’s firehouse home by Daily Mail in March 2018. He later made renovations to the $4 million Manhattan, Greenwich Village home he purchased.

Anderson Cooper on an episode of "Watch What Happens Live" on November 30, 2016. | Source: Getty Images
Anderson Cooper and Benjamin Maisani at the Windward School Benefit on March 10, 2018, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

In March 2018, after a decade of dating, Anderson’s spokesperson confirmed that the journalist and Benjamin had separated. According to reports, the CNN anchor explained the split by saying:

“Benjamin and I separated as boyfriends some time ago. We are still family to each other, and love each other very much.”

Anderson explained that he and his ex-boyfriend remained best friends and would continue sharing their lives. During an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, the television personality revealed one of the reasons that caused them to break up.

He shared how Benjamin wasn’t sure he wanted to have children. However, Anderson didn’t wait to have another partner before working on his dream of becoming a father and fulfilling it at age 53.

In 2020, when reaching the end of his segment on CNN, Anderson revealed that his first child and son, Wyatt Morgan, had been born. He also opened up about why the milestone was especially significant for him, stating:

“As a gay kid, I never thought it would be possible to have a child.”

The star shared his gratitude for the people who paved the way for him to realize his dream. He also shared his appreciation of the nurses and doctors who took part in helping welcome his son.

Following ten years of dating, Anderson’s representative said that the journalist and Benjamin had split up in March 2018. The CNN host reportedly stated the following to explain the split:

“A while back, Benjamin and I called it quits on our relationship. We still love and care for one another as if we were family.

Anderson clarified that he would continue to share their lives and that he and his ex-boyfriend were close friends. One of the reasons behind their breakup was disclosed by the television personality in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres.

He revealed that Benjamin wasn’t certain he wanted to start a family. But Anderson didn’t wait to find a new partner to work toward and realize his 53-year-old dream of becoming a father.

At the conclusion of his CNN segment in 2020, Anderson disclosed the birth of Wyatt Morgan, his first kid. He also revealed the reason the achievement held particular significance for him, saying:

“As a gay child, I never imagined that having a child would be possible.”

The celebrity expressed his appreciation to everyone who helped him achieve his dream. He also expressed his gratitude to the medical professionals that assisted in the birth of his son.

In addition, the TV celebrity shared four photos of his infant son on Instagram. The first picture shows him tenderly nursing Wyatt. He disclosed that the boy was just three days old in the caption of the photo.

He gave an explanation of how the child’s first name matched that of his own father, who died when he was only 10 years old. The second name belonged to his mother’s side of the family, Gloria Vanderbilt, and was also favored by his parents.

Anderson claimed at the time that he had discovered a list his parents had created 52 years prior while choosing his name. At birth, Wyatt reportedly weighed 7.2 pounds and was hailed as “sweet, soft, and healthy.”

The journalist also expressed gratitude to the surrogate mother for bearing him, providing him with a loving and sensitive watch, and giving birth to the boy. He also expressed gratitude to the surrogate’s family for their help both before and after the procedure.

In closing, Anderson expressed his hope that his brother Carter, mother, and father could have seen his son grow up. But he made the decision to think they could see his child, and he saw them cuddling up to each other while grinning and laughing.

He was content that their family line will live on and that their love was still present in both Wyatt and him. Anderson learned in August 2020 that Wyatt was sleeping on an unusual schedule for a youngster who was just about four months old at the time.

The newborn was getting twelve hours of sleep every night! The CNN anchor clarified that he was receiving help from a nurse and made a joke about not knowing what she did—but she didn’t use booze or Ambien—to put the youngster to sleep so much!

Anderson had one requirement, despite having help from someone else in caring for the child. The celebrity declared that he opposed having a single parent raise his child.

In May 2020, Anderson gave an explanation for his decision to not raise his child by himself on “The Howard Stern Show.” The celebrity talked about how his mother raised him and his brother as a single parent after losing his father and how she wasn’t very paternal.

He wished there had been another adult in his life to cover that absence. Someone who occasionally offered to take him out to lunch or a ball game, or who suggested having a conversation with him; the journalist added:

“Therefore, I reasoned that I would be in favor of more people loving my son and being in his life, even if nothing bad happened to me.”

He mentioned how, if it were possible, he would want to have two parents. Ironically, because of their good relationship, he and Benjamin continued to live together in their house after their breakup.

Anderson said that things were “weird” between him and the nightclub owner. Despite his early reluctance, Benjamin eventually changed his mind and is today a wonderful co-parent to young Wyatt.

The former couple resided in the Greenwich Village firehouse that Anderson purchased and remodeled in 2009. According to the celebrity, Wyatt would likely refer to Benjamin as “Papa” whereas he would be called “Dad” or “Daddy” because he was French.

Anderson quipped that the businessman was speaking to the young child in his own tongue and that he might be manipulating Wyatt by not understanding what he was saying! But the journalist denied that the ex-couple might reconcile when asked if it would be possible.

In August 2020, Anderson talked to WSJ magazine about how becoming a father had made him realize how much life had changed. Despite being 53 at the time, he talked about how he felt like he was waiting for his real life to start.

The actor claimed that he had been concentrating on moving forward or telling a tale, but that concentrating on Wyatt brought order to the situation. The anchor for the news said, “It’s changed everything.”

Due to his night shift employment, Anderson used to wake up late as well, but after Wyatt’s arrival, he now wakes up at seven in the morning. Since his son’s awakening marked the highest point of his day, it was his objective to rise before him.

Benjamin [Maisani] and the infant [Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper], who weighed 6.8 lbs. at birth, would also share co-parenting duties.
When the young boy saw him, he delighted to see him stretch and smile. From the third floor, Anderson went to his son’s room on the fourth, where he waited for him to make noises to let the star know he was awake before entering to see how he was doing.

The TV celebrity stated to People magazine in June 2020 that he would be willing to grow his family in the future. But first, he needed time to get a better night’s sleep and clear his thoughts!

It would be wonderful, he thought, to have a brother or sister for Wyatt. Then, on “Anderson Cooper 360°,” in February 2022, Anderson revealed that he had welcomed Sebastian Luke Maisani-Cooper, his second son, via surrogacy!

Benjamin and the infant, who weighed 6.8 pounds at birth, would also share co-parenting duties. The celebrity also disclosed at that time that Wyatt’s last name would be changed to Maisani-Cooper and that his former partner was in the process of adopting the child.

But in December 2020, following Wyatt’s birth, Anderson acknowledged that he was “tired more than I’ve ever been.” He did, however, adore being a father and “wouldn’t change it for the world,” and he frequently broke down in tears when he saw his kid.

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