JRE MMA Show #152 with Sean Brady

11-Jan-24

This podcast delves deep into the life of Sean Brady, a professional mixed martial artist, offering insights into his training, recovery, and the mental toughness required to succeed in the UFC. Provocative topics include the challenges of weight cutting, the use of supplements and recovery techniques, and the controversial issue of PEDs in MMA. Underlying themes explore the importance of balance in training, the mental strength necessary to overcome adversity, and the evolving nature of the sport.

The Perils of Weight Cutting in MMA

1. Sean Brady discusses the intense physical and mental toll of weight cutting, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to avoid injury.
2. He shares his own experience of pushing his body too hard after a loss, leading to a chronic groin injury and emphasizing the importance of listening to his body.
3. Sean details the meticulous process of weight cutting, including the use of saunas, hydration protocols, and the pressure of making weight before a fight.
4. He expresses his support for allowing IVs for fighters, believing it would improve performance and safety, while advocating for stricter testing to address concerns about PEDs.

The Role of Supplements and Recovery Techniques

1. Sean talks about his use of Oura rings for sleep tracking, emphasizing the impact of sleep quality on recovery and performance.
2. He discusses his experiences with different supplements, including creatine, protein, and the benefits of Thorne supplements provided by the UFC Performance Institute.
3. Sean describes his use of mouth tape to improve sleep, highlighting the unexpected benefits it has had on his recovery.
4. He advocates for the use of stem cell therapy for injury recovery, expressing frustration over its prohibition by athletic commissions.

The Mental Game in MMA

1. Sean Brady discusses the importance of mental performance coaching, explaining how it helped him overcome the mental burden of being undefeated and recover from his first career loss.
2. He shares his mental training strategies, including affirmations, visualization, and the use of “red, yellow, green” signals to stay focused during training and fights.
3. Sean emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment, both in training and in life, and how it helps him avoid getting caught up in anxieties about the past or future.
4. He stresses the value of visualizing both positive and negative scenarios to prepare for any eventuality in a fight, acknowledging the impact of getting hit and the importance of mental resilience.

The Evolution of MMA Training

1. Sean describes the diverse range of training methods employed by MMA fighters, highlighting the lack of a standardized protocol and the ongoing experimentation in the sport.
2. He discusses the importance of finding a balance between strength training and skill development, referencing different approaches taken by various fighters, including GSP’s focus on skills towards the end of his career.
3. Sean highlights the significance of having a strong team and training partners, emphasizing the importance of trust and accountability in a sport where injuries are common.
4. He shares his admiration for fighters who continue to train and push their limits even after retiring from competition, citing the example of George St-Pierre and his continued dedication to martial arts.

The Controversial Issue of PEDs in MMA

1. Sean discusses the ongoing issue of PEDs in MMA, acknowledging that athletes are finding ways to circumvent testing.
2. He argues that stricter testing and on-site drug testing during weight cuts would help curb the use of PEDs.
3. Sean details the various methods used by athletes to mask PEDs, including IVs and the use of testosterone gummies.
4. He expresses frustration over the lack of regulation around certain recovery therapies, such as peptides, and calls for greater transparency and understanding of the benefits these therapies can provide for athletes.

The Impact of Injuries and the Importance of Recovery

1. Sean Brady discusses the severity of injuries in MMA, highlighting the risks involved in a sport where athletes are constantly preparing to inflict damage on one another.
2. He shares his experience with a hand injury sustained during a fight and his desire to avoid entering training camp with an injury.
3. Sean emphasizes the importance of recovery and the use of various therapies, including hyperbaric chambers and stem cell therapy, to aid in healing.
4. He discusses the long-term effects of injuries, particularly for athletes who have suffered severe leg breaks, and the challenges of returning to competition after such injuries.

The Role of Training Partners and the Importance of Team Chemistry

1. Sean Brady highlights the importance of having a strong team and training partners, sharing his experiences with different fighters he has trained with, including Drew Dober, Neil Magny, and Eric Andrews.
2. He emphasizes the role of trust and accountability within his training group, and the importance of keeping sparring sessions controlled to minimize the risk of serious injury.
3. Sean discusses the different philosophies of training, comparing the advantages of a small, focused gym like his own with the potential benefits of a larger gym like American Top Team.
4. He expresses pride in the success of his team, recognizing the achievements of other fighters from his gym, including Joey Pfeiffer, Pat Zabatini, Andre Petroski, and Jeremiah Wells.

The Future of Sean Brady and the Welterweight Division

1. Sean Brady shares his plans for his return to the UFC, aiming to fight in the April timeframe and expressing his desire to face Colby Covington, a top contender in the welterweight division.
2. He discusses the competitive landscape of the welterweight division, highlighting the challenges of fighting against top-ranked fighters like Wonderboy Thompson and Luke Rockhold.
3. Sean discusses the process of receiving fight offers and the importance of staying in good shape to be ready for any opportunity that comes his way.
4. He shares his long-term aspirations, including a potential transition to jiu-jitsu competition after retiring from MMA, and his desire to open his own gym one day.

Memorable Quotes:

1. “You know how it is, you warm up, the injuries kind of go away. Like you feel good until you cool down. And I did that for a couple months, and I had a fight scheduled, and I tore my groin.”
2. “I’ve been pretty lucky with no surgeries, but a lot of inches.”
3. “It says, each person in a unique version of normal, rather than your base averages on impersonal population benchmarks, like hit 10,000 tabs, or gets to know you and provides you with personalized baselines and insights, whether your sleep took a hit after a night out or your prioritizing balance and your wellness routine, or helps you reach your goals by delivering the best 360 degree view of your health.”
4. “The whole UFC, the UFC staff, they allocated all these vaccines. They had it set up. And so Dana and I were talking and he goes, if you want to get vaccinated, we have them for you. I go, great. I wasn’t even remotely hesitant in the beginning.”
5. “But it’s the best thing that ever happened to me. That’s a lot of times fighters say that it’s like you need to feel a sting of defeat. I’m telling you Joe, the minute I lost, it felt like a fucking like a Bronco was lifted off my shoulders. Like I was so like, I was like, yo, like this is going to be, this is going to be the best thing that ever happened.”