Future of Education Podcast S2E244: From Special Ed to Undefeated MMA Fighter: Daniel Puder’s Story (Part 1)
Jul 8, 2025
Daniel Puder, a former WWE star and undefeated MMA fighter, shares his inspiring journey from being bullied and placed in special ed to finding success against all odds. He discusses the impact of adversity on his life, including experiences in juvie and mental health struggles. Puder emphasizes the importance of resilience, mentorship, and embracing failure as a learning opportunity. As founder of My Life, My Power, he highlights educational reforms that focus on at-risk students, advocating for project-based learning and emotional intelligence.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Bullied Special Ed Kid's Grit
- Daniel Puder was placed in special ed and bullied for it, which impacted his self-esteem deeply.
- This adversity built his grit and fueled his drive to succeed in sports and life.
Failure Builds Grit and Skills
- Traditional schools encourage kids to avoid failure, limiting growth opportunities.
- Embracing failure as fuel develops grit and essential life skills from a young age.
Coach's Tough Love Impact
- A wrestling coach in seventh grade shaped Daniel's early sports journey with tough training and discipline.
- The coach's unique style instilled early resilience and motivation in Daniel.