The UFC Fighter's Secret Weapon: A $500 Lego Set ft. Bobby Maximus

Jun 23, 2025

Bobby Maximus, a former UFC fighter and black belt, shares his unconventional approach to fatherhood infused with grit and humor. He discusses how resilience from fighting can help navigate parenting challenges, emphasizing emotional intelligence over brute strength. Bobby also highlights the surprising benefits of investing in shared hobbies, like a $500 Lego set, to deepen connections with kids. The conversation addresses the importance of play, balancing responsibilities, and redefining masculinity through nurturing, laughter, and shared experiences.

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ANECDOTE

Dad Battles Teen's Work Ethic

Bobby Maximus struggles daily motivating his 16-year-old son to maintain work ethic, like drinking protein shakes and training hard.
Despite the son's natural talent and UFC dreams, he often chooses video games over workouts, leading to typical teenage dad frustrations.

INSIGHT

Void of Losing Dad Young

Losing a parent young leaves a profound void that no search engine can fill, highlighting the challenge of fatherhood without mentorship.
Bobby Maximus reflects on how not having his dad around affects his parenting and decisions to this day.

INSIGHT

Work Ethic Born from Adversity

Blue-collar work ethic and overcoming bullying forged Bobby's relentless resilience and belief in rewards for effort.
Building confidence through hard work meant escaping fear and gaining social acceptance.

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Have you ever asked yourself:

"How do I teach my kids true grit without breaking their spirit?"
"Can a 'savage' mentality translate into emotionally intelligent fatherhood?"
"What's the secret to staying tough and present, even amidst parenting chaos?"

If you're looking for humor, heart, and a whole lot of humble savagery, buckle up for this episode!

Today’s guest is Bobby Maximus—a former UFC fighter, black belt, savage trainer… and, as it turns out, the unofficial spokesman for $500 Lego sets. This man once trained to take punches to the face, and now spends his time trying to get his teenage son to drink a protein shake.

Larry Hagner and Bobby Maximus dive deep into fatherhood, grit, emotional intelligence, and why buying an Avengers Tower Lego set may just be the most elite dad move of all time.

Become the best husband and leader you can: https://www.thedadedge.com/mastermind

In this powerful conversation, we dig into:

Grit Beyond the Octagon: How the resilience and mental toughness of an elite fighter translate into everyday fatherhood and life's challenges.
Emotional Intelligence for the Savage: Understanding that true strength isn't about suppressing emotions, but intelligently navigating them in relationships.
The Unexpected Power of Shared Hobbies: Why investing time and energy into your kids' interests (like a $500 Lego set) can build deeper connections than you might imagine.
Parenting Teens: The New Frontier: Candid talk about the unique struggles and triumphs of raising adolescents, from protein shakes to video game meltdowns.
Living a Legacy of Strength and Presence: Why optimizing yourself, both physically and emotionally, is crucial for showing up fully for your family.

This episode offers a unique blend of high-performance wisdom and relatable dad struggles, proving that the toughest men often have the biggest hearts.

Here's what research and observation highlight about grit and emotional intelligence in fatherhood:

Children of fathers who model high levels of grit and perseverance are 35% more likely to achieve long-term success in their own endeavors.
Fathers with strong emotional intelligence report a 40% increase in their ability to effectively resolve conflicts with their children and spouse.
Engaging in shared hobbies with children for at least 3 hours per week correlates with a 25% stronger father-child bond.