JRE #143 – Jason “Mayhem” Miller, Ryan Parsons

This podcast features Joe Rogan in conversation with Jason “Mayhem” Miller and Ryan Parsons, delving into the world of MMA, fighter management, and the intriguing aspects of human behavior. Provocative topics, controversial statements, and viral anecdotes abound, highlighting the raw energy of the MMA scene, the challenges of managing fighters, and the complexities of human nature. Underlying themes explore the power of positive mental attitude, the pursuit of personal growth, and the impact of technology on our lives.

Major Topics and 4-Point Summaries

1. The World of MMA: From the Cage to the King of the Cage

   • The podcast starts with a discussion about MMA, particularly the differences in cage sizes and the evolution of the sport from its early, unregulated days to the current, more formalized structure.
   • The conversation touches upon the unique aspects of MMA compared to boxing, including the fast-paced, high-stakes nature of the sport and the pressure on fighters to take any title shot offered, regardless of their experience.
   • The impact of smaller venues like the Palm is explored, emphasizing the intimacy of the experience and how it allows fans to feel closer to the action.
   • The history of organizations like King of the Cage is highlighted, acknowledging their role in providing opportunities for fighters despite their sometimes questionable practices.

2. The Challenges of Fighter Management: A Balancing Act of Risk and Reward

3. Ryan Parsons, a seasoned MMA manager and trainer, shares his insights on the complexities of managing fighters, emphasizing the importance of careful fight selection and long-term career planning.
4. Parsons explains the process of analyzing styles, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of both the fighter and their potential opponents, and ultimately determining the best path for the fighter’s development.
5. He delves into the ethical considerations of pushing fighters too early or too hard, highlighting the delicate balance between testing limits and ensuring the fighter’s longevity.
6. The discussion explores the frustration of coaching fighters, as managers often struggle with the emotional and intellectual burden of strategically guiding their athletes.

7. The Fascinating World of Mental Illness: Beyond the Label

8. Joe Rogan shares his personal fascination with mental illness, emphasizing the complexities and potential beauty found within human behavior.
9. The podcast dives into the story of Brody Stevens, a comedian who experienced a manic episode, highlighting the unpredictable nature of mental illness and the importance of understanding and supporting those who struggle with it.
10. Rogan explores the concept of human instability, theorizing that our inherent “chaotic” nature might actually be a driving force behind our growth and progress.
11. The discussion emphasizes the importance of confronting challenges and using them as opportunities for self-reflection and personal development.

12. The Importance of Constant Growth: Pushing Boundaries and Embracing Chaos

13. The conversation delves into the idea of constant growth, emphasizing that stagnation can lead to self-destruction, while embracing challenges fosters resilience and propels us towards new levels of understanding.
14. Rogan advocates for actively seeking out excitement and challenges, even if they seem irrational, as a means of stimulating our minds and keeping us engaged with life.
15. The podcast explores the power of surrounding ourselves with inspiring and exciting things, even if they seem unconventional, as a means of pushing our personal boundaries and embracing the unexpected.
16. The conversation highlights the importance of managing our own “crazy” and using it as a source of energy and inspiration, rather than allowing it to control us.

17. The Power of Nature: From the Jungle to the Woods

18. The discussion shifts to the importance of nature, exploring the impact of a natural environment on both physical and mental well-being.
19. The podcast highlights the unique benefits of taking Ayahuasca in the jungle, emphasizing the absence of distractions and the profound connection with the plant’s energy.
20. Rogan discusses the meditative experience of deer hunting, emphasizing the heightened awareness and connection with nature that it fosters.
21. The podcast touches upon the growing trend of individuals seeking more natural lifestyles, from hunting and gathering their own food to incorporating more natural substances into their routines.

22. The Importance of Preparedness: Facing the Unknown with Confidence

23. The conversation highlights the importance of preparedness, particularly in challenging situations or emergencies.
24. Rogan shares his personal experience of being unprepared during a power outage, emphasizing the importance of having basic supplies and resources available, especially in remote areas.
25. The podcast discusses the potential dangers of living in the woods, emphasizing the need for safety precautions like firebreaks, sprinkler systems, and emergency kits.
26. The conversation highlights the importance of self-reliance and the need to develop skills that can help us navigate unpredictable situations.

27. The Mystery of Crop Circles: A Glimpse into the Unknown

28. The podcast delves into the mystery of crop circles, exploring the various theories surrounding their creation, from hoaxes to potential government technology.
29. Rogan discusses the complexities of determining the origin of crop circles, acknowledging the possibility of both human-made creations and potentially advanced technology.
30. The conversation highlights the potential for technology to manipulate the natural world in ways we may not fully understand, raising questions about the limits of our current knowledge.
31. The podcast explores the intriguing possibility that crop circles might be a form of communication or demonstration of advanced capabilities, prompting us to question our understanding of reality.

32. The Impact of Technology: A Revolution in Our Lives

33. The discussion explores the profound impact of technology on our lives, highlighting its ability to connect us and its potential to reshape our understanding of the world.
34. The podcast explores the concept of virtual reality, predicting its potential to create immersive experiences that blur the lines between reality and simulation.
35. Rogan touches upon the ethical implications of advanced technology, questioning the potential for its misuse and the need for responsible development.
36. The conversation highlights the power of technology to inspire and motivate, emphasizing its ability to drive innovation and expand our understanding of the universe.

37. The Allure of the Unknown: From Aliens to the Deep

38. The podcast ventures into the realm of the unknown, exploring the enduring fascination with aliens and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
39. Rogan discusses the inherent human desire to believe in the extraordinary, suggesting that our fascination with aliens might stem from a deep-seated need to explore and understand the universe beyond our own.
40. The conversation delves into the potential for scientific breakthroughs to reveal the existence of extraterrestrial life, acknowledging the possibility that our current understanding of the universe might be limited.
41. The podcast encourages a sense of wonder and curiosity, prompting us to embrace the unknown and to continue searching for answers beyond our current comprehension.

42. The Pursuit of Excellence: Striving for Mastery in All Things

43. The conversation delves into the importance of pursuing excellence in all aspects of life, from personal development to athletic pursuits.
44. Rogan discusses the dedication required to achieve mastery in any field, emphasizing the importance of constant training, relentless effort, and a willingness to push boundaries.
45. The podcast explores the impact of having a mentor or coach who can guide us towards higher levels of achievement, recognizing the value of collaboration and support in our journeys of growth.
46. The conversation highlights the power of passion and the importance of finding things we truly love, as that passion is often the driving force behind our greatest accomplishments.

47. The Power of Coaching: Guiding Athletes to Their Full Potential

48. The podcast explores the unique role of coaching in the world of MMA, highlighting the importance of communication, strategy, and understanding the fighter’s individual needs and strengths.
49. The conversation delves into the specific techniques and drills used by coaches to help fighters develop their skills and prepare for competition.
50. Rogan discusses the impact of coaching styles on fighters, acknowledging that different approaches can yield different results, depending on the fighter’s personality and needs.
51. The podcast emphasizes the importance of building a strong bond between coach and fighter, fostering trust and open communication as the foundation for success.

52. The Importance of Discipline: Balancing Instinct and Order

53. The conversation explores the tension between our instinctual desires and the need for discipline to achieve personal and societal goals.
54. Rogan discusses the importance of finding a balance between embracing our “crazy” and maintaining a level of order and structure in our lives.
55. The podcast touches upon the concept of societal pressure and how it can influence our decisions, emphasizing the importance of making choices that align with our values and aspirations.
56. The conversation highlights the importance of taking responsibility for our actions and making conscious choices that lead to personal growth and fulfillment.

57. The Power of Connection: Building Relationships and Creating Community

58. The podcast highlights the importance of building strong connections with others, emphasizing the power of human relationships to support, inspire, and motivate us.
59. Rogan discusses the unique bond that develops between fighters and their coaches, recognizing the intimate and challenging nature of the relationship.
60. The conversation explores the importance of community and the positive impact of surrounding ourselves with people who share our values and passions.
61. The podcast emphasizes the power of collaboration and the importance of working together towards shared goals, recognizing that we are stronger together than we are alone.

62. The Evolution of Entertainment: From TV to the Metaverse

63. The podcast explores the evolution of entertainment, discussing the shift from traditional television to online platforms and the emergence of virtual reality.
64. Rogan predicts that technology will continue to shape the way we consume entertainment, creating immersive experiences that blur the lines between reality and simulation.
65. The conversation touches upon the future of film and television, anticipating a time when individuals can create their own cinematic masterpieces with readily available technology.
66. The podcast reflects on the enduring power of storytelling and the impact of entertainment on our lives, recognizing its ability to connect us, inspire us, and shape our understanding of the world.

67. The Power of Belief: The Impact of Belief Systems on Our Lives

68. The podcast explores the influence of belief systems on our lives, acknowledging that our beliefs can shape our perspectives and influence our actions.
69. Rogan discusses the importance of questioning our beliefs and challenging assumptions, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and a willingness to explore new ideas.
70. The conversation highlights the potential for belief systems to both empower and control, recognizing the need for a balance between faith and reason.
71. The podcast emphasizes the importance of finding our own truth and living in accordance with our values, even if those values differ from mainstream beliefs.

Memorable Quotes

1. “Don’t we all wanna get look, I just it’s very rare that anybody gets into the mindset of a manager someone who trains fighters and someone who coaches guys. It’s a very intimate relationship to you. Man, are you kidding me? This guy is like my brother. I I wanna beat him up all the time. And but I I wanna hug him all the time too.” – Joe Rogan highlights the unique bond between a fighter and his manager, acknowledging the intensity of the relationship.
2. “You know, I’ve had that conversation a couple of times far, and I I always admire the way you see it. And it it really is that you you will set yourself up. You will give yourself shit to think about. Right. Now you can now what you do with that is depend on do you crash like your friend did or do you use that for awareness and growth?” – Joe Rogan explores the importance of confronting challenges and using them as opportunities for growth.
3. “The smart people choose it Yeah. Yes. Well, you gotta kinda engineer your consciousness to a certain extent or to a certain extent. You know? You you know, there’s of people that purposely surround themselves with exciting things, you know, because they would they’re like fuck. I want life to be exciting. I wanna go even dumb shit I wanna go run with the Bulls.” – Joe Rogan emphasizes the importance of seeking out excitement and pushing our personal boundaries.
4. “If you’re not really in the moment, it’ll it’ll stop. It’ll stop. And then they’ll just become words and you lose this connection.” – Joe Rogan discusses the importance of genuine connection in communication, particularly when performing.
5. “I think it’s gonna be to the point where, like, your plastic surgery is gonna be, like, taking eye and upgrading your eyes with the new night vision eye and stuff like that. Like, you’re going to start replacing parts in your body. Yeah. Of course. That’d be awesome.” – Joe Rogan predicts the future of technology and its potential to enhance our bodies and capabilities.