Dax Shepard says COVID-19 pushed him to chase decadelong dream of bulking up

Dax Shepard is proud to be a "big boy."

On the latest episode of his "Armchair Expert" podcast, the "Parenthood" alum revealed that he bulked up during the COVID-19 lockdown -- it was a dream he'd been chasing for a decade.

During the lockdown, Shepard said he told his wife, actor Kristen Bell, "I've been waiting for 10 years for Marvel to call so that I'd have an excuse to get huge, and they're not gonna call. That ship sailed. I'm 46, they're not gonna call. So I just have to do it for my own amusement."

Saying that he now works out six days a week, Shepard proudly announced he's gained 24 pounds of muscle mass. He also jokingly credited his gains to "lifting heavy, protein shakes, going bananas [and] heavy testosterone injections." He now weighs 210 pounds.

"I spent my whole life as a medium boy, and now I'm a big boy and I like it," he said. "Mentally, I love it because it makes me far more on fire to be alive."

The actor also revealed he was "depressed" after he filmed the 2017 film "CHIPS" and, at the time, said he thought his only path forward was "literally retiring."

"All of a sudden, I was on fire to work," Shepard said of gaining inspiration from his new hobby. "This is the version I enjoy."

When not working out, Shepard says he likes to spend quality time with his kids. He recently shared an adorable video on Instagram while on a road trip with one of his daughters, where the two belted out Adele's 2015 hit "Hello."

Shepard is dad to daughters Lincoln, 8, and Delta, 6, both of whom he shares with Bell.