Reacher's Alan Ritchson makes eye-opening confession amid divorce from high school sweetheart

Alan Ritchson opened up to fans with a raw confession about his struggles and feelings of self-worth in a new video. 

The message the Reacher star shared on Instagram came as details emerged about his high-profile divorce from his wife of 20 years, Catherine Ritchson.

Appearing shirtless,  the 43-year-old action hero reflected on his childhood, toxic messages from society, and the agonizing feeling of believing he isn't worthy of love.

'You start to feel like you're not supposed to be loved'

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Speaking directly to camera, Alan opened up about the emotional baggage he's carried since childhood, and recalled experiences which have impacted his self-image.

"You hear that enough times and you start to feel like I'm not, not only not worthy of love, but I'm not supposed to be loved, you know?" Alan confessed. "And you carry that into adulthood."

He added a message of encouragement for fans who might be feeling the same: "It starts with us saying, 'Hold on, I'm enough.' You're enough. You're enough... No matter what you're going through, you're enough, and we don't hear that enough."

Alan made an upsetting statement about his mom 

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Alan said his mom's reaction to him getting attention as a child has stayed with him through the years. 

"I personally grew up in a home where my parents... when my mother would notice that I got a lot of attention effortlessly without trying as a kid.."

Alan continued: "People would just, they'd approach us and say; 'Oh, he's so, so cute.'"

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But rather than revel in the praise, Alan said: "But in my ear, she'd whisper: 'It's not all about you.'"

Fans weighed in heavily with one writing: "Reacher may be physically strong… but showing up like this takes a different kind of strength," and others thanked him for using his platform for good. 

There were strings of heart emojis and words of encouragment for Alan who has been open about his battle with his mental health. 

The end of his 20 year marriage

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The candid revelation comes at a poignant time with news of Alan and Catherine's divorce. 

She was his high school sweetheart who he met in a Florida ballet class as a teenager.

For years, he publicly credited Catherine as his ultimate support system and "rock," acknowledging how she stood by him through career hurdles and his personal journey with depression. 

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In a moving anniversary tribute previously posted online, Alan thanked her for having "the unspeakable strength, persistence, resilience, patience, grace, love, compassion, and forgiveness to suffer through the valleys with me."

Despite attempting a brief reconciliation earlier in the year following an initial court filing, the former couple officially confirmed their separation in a joint statement and emphasized their commitment to their three sons, Calem, Edan, and Amory.

"After 20 years together, Cat and I have decided to end our marriage and continue alongside one another in a different way," the statement read. "We grew up together, we built a life and a family together... The best gift we can give one another, and our boys right now is friendship, grace and commitment to becoming the strongest co-parents we can be."