Forrest Griffin is a retired MMA fighter and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, now serving as the VP of Athlete Development at the UFC Performance Institute. In 2013, he claimed a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame.
In this episode, Forrest shares how he left his job as a police officer to pursue a career in fighting, faced financial struggles and injuries, but persevered and eventually became a world champion.
He also talks about parenthood and marriage, money management, the importance of self-reliance and adaptability, and what it takes to become a champion in fighting or any other endeavor.
He also speaks about:
- Why we're drawn to combat sports
- How Dana White persuaded him to take part in the The Ultimate Fighter TV show, launching his career
- Dropping everything and moving to Las Vegas to train with UFC legend Randy Couture
- The transformative impact of YouTube and social media on the fighting world, enabling easy sharing and learning of techniques
- The key elements of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: energy management, adaptability in uncomfortable situations, and exploiting opponents' weaknesses
- His dedication to being a supportive father to his daughter and encouraging her interests
- The importance of financial management; living below your means and investing your savings to stave off inflation
- His desire for a legacy that leaves MMA and Las Vegas in a better place, while being a good father
- Developing a self-sufficient, adaptable mindset as a hedge against societal or governmental breakdown
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Forrest’s charitable cause:
Three Square Food Bank, Southern Nevada's only food bank and the area's largest hunger-relief organization, whose mission is to “provide wholesome food to hungry people, while passionately pursuing a hunger-free community."
Books mentioned in this episode:
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
Got Fight?: The 50 Zen Principles of Hand-to-Face Combat By Forrest Griffin
Be Ready When the Sh*t Goes Down: A Survival Guide to the Apocalypse by Forrest Griffin
Connect with Forrest on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/forrestgriffin