After debuting as a Warrior aged 19, the forward moved to Canberra then the Gold Coast, where he battled for an opportunity and mainly played off the bench.
During tough times, when he couldn't see a bright future in the sport, setting an example for his children became his motivation.
"If I'm going to tap out of a hard situation, what am I showing them?" Clark told AAP.
"I hope one day when they see their dad and some of the struggles I've been through, they realise that I never gave up to give them a good life."
A return home to New Zealand turned his fortunes around, with Clark becoming one of the best ball-playing forwards in the game.
The 29-year-old has now won the Dally M lock of the year award in both of his seasons with the Warriors.
"I didn't think a lot of the accolades I've got would ever happen," Clark said.
"It was just a dream at the time. It took me a while, but sometimes you've got to take the long road to get to places."
Now preparing for his first Rugby League World Cup, the barn-storming forward says it was his first NZ call-up, along with support from the Warriors, that triggered his rise to the top of the sport.
"The 2024 Kiwis campaign gave me the confidence that I'm good enough to be where I am," Clark said.
"Playing for the Warriors, you get to play for your people at home, where you grew up. The culture they're building there, as a team, we're all connected."
Capped four times for his country, the middle forward will join a monster pack at the World Cup.
"It hasn't really sunk in that it's the World Cup," Clark said.
"Obviously, this is the pinnacle of our sport. To be named and to be amongst the best players from our country is special.
"It's not just special for me, it's special for my family, my wife, my kids and my country."
