JRE MMA Show #100 with Cody Garbrandt

by

12-Feb-21







JRE MMA Show #100 with Cody Garbrandt

This podcast goes beyond the typical athlete interview, delving deep into Cody Garbrandt’s personal journey, highlighting his struggles and triumphs in the world of MMA. Topics range from the mental game and technical aspects of fighting to his experience with severe illness and the importance of mental fortitude. The podcast unravels the deep underlying themes of resilience, self-discovery, and finding a balance between passion and family.

  • Cody Garbrandt’s Comeback and Mental Fortitude

    • Garbrandt shares the mental toll of his three-fight skid, struggling to find passion and purpose in the sport.
    • His comeback victory against a tough opponent in spectacular fashion showcases his resilience and determination.
    • He emphasizes the importance of mental preparation, stressing that physical readiness is not enough to win.
    • Garbrandt reveals how he found his way back by moving out of his comfort zone and training with new coaches and training partners.

  • Training with Mark Henry: The “Slight Edge Theory”

    • Garbrandt describes his admiration for Mark Henry’s coaching style and his emphasis on getting fighters home to their families.
    • He emphasizes the importance of defense in both striking and grappling, a concept he learned from Henry and reinforced by other respected trainers.
    • Garbrandt highlights the “Slight Edge Theory,” where pushing past discomfort and constantly striving for improvement yields significant benefits.
    • The podcast reveals how Garbrandt’s training with Henry involves a rigorous focus on defensive techniques and precise timing, aiming to minimize risk while maximizing offensive opportunities.

  • The Power of Visualization: A Life-Long Practice

    • Garbrandt shares his personal experiences with visualization, a practice he’s used since grade school, long before learning about the Law of Attraction.
    • He reveals how he visualized himself as a state champion wrestler and, through sheer dedication and mental focus, achieved his goal.
    • The podcast explores the psychological benefits of visualizing success, creating a sense of certainty and motivation that propels athletes toward their goals.
    • Garbrandt emphasizes the need to push oneself beyond comfort zones, enduring pain and hardship to achieve greatness.

  • Overcoming Health Challenges: A Story of Resilience

    • Garbrandt recounts his battle with a severe kidney infection, highlighting the dangers of pushing his body too hard while sick during training camp.
    • He reveals the challenges of fighting with a compromised immune system, especially when battling COVID-19, which he contracted in August 2022.
    • The podcast highlights the potential long-term effects of COVID-19, as Garbrandt experienced vertigo, lung issues, and even blood clots, months after contracting the virus.
    • Garbrandt stresses the importance of listening to one’s body, emphasizing that toughness should be balanced with intelligent training and recovery.

  • The Importance of Balance: Passion, Family, and Growth

    • Garbrandt emphasizes the need for balance in his life, between his demanding training schedule and his role as a father.
    • He reveals how his mindset has shifted since becoming a father, prioritizing family time and a long-term future for his son.
    • The podcast explores the challenges of navigating the mental and physical demands of elite sports while maintaining a healthy personal life.
    • Garbrandt highlights the importance of self-improvement, acknowledging that even after reaching the top, there’s always room to grow.

  • The UFC, Performance Enhancing Drugs, and USADA

    • Garbrandt discusses the UFC’s testing protocols and the complexities of performance enhancing drug testing, highlighting potential loopholes and the difficulty of catching cheaters.
    • He expresses his support for testing but questions the effectiveness of the current system, especially in catching EPO use.
    • The podcast explores the controversial topic of performance-enhancing drugs in MMA, and how they affect the perception of fighters and their legacies.
    • Garbrandt emphasizes the importance of achieving success through hard work and dedication, rejecting shortcuts and artificial enhancements.

  • The Importance of Quality Training and Equipment

    • Garbrandt highlights the importance of quality training equipment, specifically mentioning Trevor Whitman’s On-Ex gloves, which he believes are superior to UFC-issued gloves.
    • He discusses the potential impact of equipment on performance and safety, especially in terms of hand protection and reducing eye pokes.
    • The podcast explores the ongoing debate about glove design and safety regulations in MMA, and the need for continuous improvement in this area.
    • Garbrandt advocates for the adoption of higher quality gloves and equipment to protect fighters and enhance the overall quality of competition.

  • The Future of Cody Garbrandt: Ambition and Legacy

    • Garbrandt reveals his desire to fight Jose Aldo, seeing it as a challenging and impactful fight for his career.
    • He expresses his ambition to return to the top of the bantamweight division, seeking multiple fights and potentially moving down to the flyweight division.
    • The podcast explores Garbrandt’s desire to leave a lasting legacy in MMA, not just as a former champion but as a respected and influential fighter.
    • Garbrandt’s determination to fight again, despite the challenges he’s faced, demonstrates his unwavering commitment to the sport and his quest for greatness.

5 Memorable Quotes

“I feel like I’m just a different person where I was at from there, you know, removed, and the thing is I’m just doing differently, thinking differently, you know, how I was able to approach the game, picking myself back up time and time again.” – Garbrandt reflects on his transformation after a difficult period in his career.

“It was just doing a slight edge theory, like getting out of your comfort zone. Like you’re doing your sauna sessions, like you’re pushing yourself to go in there and just be uncomfortable.” – Garbrandt explains his approach to training, embracing discomfort and pushing his limits.

“I want to be able to be around for my son’s life, I want to have, you know, speak to my grandchildren. I’m not drooling, you know, that’s what I’m cutting a coach mark, I want you drawing here, you know when you’re 50, 60 years old.” – Garbrandt reveals his desire to have a long and fulfilling life, not just a short-lived but intense career.

“I’ve never met a coach quite like him, that like him. You know, it’s just, people that on his level for sure.” – Garbrandt acknowledges the unique and exceptional qualities of Mark Henry as a coach.

“I think that goes back to my mental state where I knew that I needed to get that octagon to change this around, I was not living life like this, I was tired of living on a three-fight skid.” – Garbrandt reveals his inner drive and motivation to return to winning ways.