JRE #1012 – Brendan Schaub

This Joe Rogan podcast features Brendan Schaub, a former UFC fighter and comedian. They dive into a range of topics, from upcoming boxing and UFC fights to personal experiences, with a mix of humor and thought-provoking discussions.

Some of the major topics covered in the podcast include:

Brendan Schaub’s Slingshot

• Brendan’s unique mode of transportation: Schaub owns a Slingshot, a three-wheeled motorcycle, and describes his love for driving it, especially on winding roads.
• Legal classification and safety concerns: They debate the Slingshot’s classification as a motorcycle and the lack of airbags, leading to a discussion about personal freedom and safety regulations.
• HOV lane privileges: Schaub’s Slingshot qualifies for the HOV lane, sparking a humorous discussion about the absurdity of the rule for a motorcycle-like vehicle.
• Brendan’s carpool shenanigans: Schaub reveals that he enjoys using the HOV lane despite not having a passenger, further adding to the comedic element of the topic.

Performance-Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) in Sports

• Prevalence of PEDs: They discuss the widespread use of PEDs in various sports, including baseball, UFC, and NFL, citing alarming statistics and personal anecdotes.
• John Jones’ PED scandal: The podcast delves into the controversy surrounding Jon Jones’ positive test for Turinabol, exploring the arguments for and against Jones’ alleged use.
• Frank Mir’s “kangaroo meat” excuse: Rogan and Schaub dissect Mir’s infamous defense for a positive test, highlighting the absurdity of the excuse and the broader issue of PED use in MMA.
• USADA and its effectiveness: The conversation touches upon the role of USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) in combatting PEDs and whether it is truly effective in deterring their use.

The UFC’s Business Strategies

• The Fertitta brothers’ influence: The podcast explores the impact of the Fertitta brothers’ ownership of the UFC, discussing their business acumen, their approach to promoting the sport, and their ultimate sale of the company.
• Reebok deal: Rogan and Schaub discuss the Reebok sponsorship deal and its impact on fighter pay, highlighting the pros and cons of the uniform system.
• The UFC’s focus on selling the sport: They explore the notion that the UFC’s business strategies prioritize making the sport attractive to potential buyers, rather than solely focusing on profit.
• The UFC’s financial success: The podcast acknowledges the UFC’s significant financial growth under the Fertitta brothers’ leadership, highlighting their ability to turn a struggling company into a global phenomenon.

Celebrity Culture and Excess

• Johnny Depp’s lavish lifestyle: Rogan and Schaub analyze Johnny Depp’s extravagant spending and his tendency to accumulate possessions, suggesting that it might stem from a desire to impress or compensate for a lack of fulfillment in his work.
• The impact of fame and wealth: They discuss the challenges of managing fame and wealth, arguing that it can lead to a disconnect from reality and a distorted sense of self-worth.
• Jim Carrey’s recent interviews: Rogan and Schaub touch upon Jim Carrey’s recent interviews where he has been exhibiting eccentric behavior, suggesting that it might be a performance for a new role or a manifestation of personal struggles.
• The role of social media and public perception: The podcast examines the role of social media in amplifying and shaping public perception of celebrities, emphasizing the potential for distortion and manipulation.

The Ethics of Body Modification

• Kim Kardashian’s body image: Rogan and Schaub delve into the controversy surrounding Kim Kardashian’s body image, critiquing her use of photoshop and plastic surgery and the influence it has on younger audiences.
• Kylie Jenner’s plastic surgery: The podcast highlights the extreme measures Kylie Jenner has taken to alter her appearance, expressing concerns about the message it sends to young girls.
• Natural vs. artificial beauty: Rogan and Schaub debate the ethical implications of body modification and the value of natural beauty versus artificial enhancement.
• The pursuit of unrealistic ideals: They discuss the potential dangers of chasing unrealistic beauty standards, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and healthy body image.

Outrage Culture and Social Media

• The rise of outrage culture: Rogan and Schaub discuss the increasing prevalence of outrage culture on social media, where people are quick to criticize and condemn individuals and institutions based on perceived offenses.
• The impact of outrage culture on free speech: They explore the potential negative impact of outrage culture on free speech, arguing that it creates an environment where people are afraid to express their opinions for fear of backlash.
• The role of bots and fake accounts: Rogan and Schaub discuss the use of bots and fake accounts to manipulate online discourse and amplify outrage, highlighting the difficulty of discerning authenticity in the digital age.
• The importance of critical thinking: They emphasize the need for critical thinking and independent judgment in navigating the online world, urging listeners to question the narratives presented and avoid jumping to conclusions based on outrage alone.

The Future of Technology

• The potential of stem cell therapy: Rogan and Schaub discuss the potential of stem cell therapy to revolutionize medicine and repair brain damage, offering hope for athletes and others suffering from chronic injuries.
• Gene-editing technology: The podcast explores the groundbreaking advancements in gene-editing technology, including CRISPR, and its potential to heal injuries and reverse the effects of aging.
• The ethical implications of gene editing: Rogan and Schaub touch upon the ethical concerns surrounding gene editing, raising questions about the potential for unintended consequences and the need for careful regulation.
• The future of human enhancement: They speculate about the future of human enhancement and the potential for technology to create a world where physical limitations are a thing of the past.

Boxing and UFC: Upcoming Fights and Predictions

• Triple G vs. Canelo: The podcast features an in-depth discussion of the upcoming boxing match between Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez, with predictions and analysis of their fighting styles and strengths.
• David Branch vs. Luke Rockhold: Rogan and Schaub discuss the upcoming UFC fight between David Branch and Luke Rockhold, offering insight into their backgrounds, fighting styles, and the potential for an upset.
• Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder: They touch upon the potential future fight between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder, highlighting the significance of this heavyweight clash.
• Lomachenko’s dominance: The podcast acknowledges the dominance of Vasyl Lomachenko in the lightweight division, discussing his skill and the lack of compelling challenges for him at this point in his career.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Get me with your best shot. I’m just fucking flying, man.” – Brendan Schaub, describing his Slingshot driving experience.
• “I put that on my children. I put on my heavenly father. He does not bring heavenly father.” – Brendan Schaub, emphatically denying using steroids.
• “You gotta realize when they brought on Novitsky is they were trying to paint the picture to sell for the most money possible to be taken serious.” – Joe Rogan, on the UFC’s decision to hire Jeff Novitzky, the UFC’s VP of athlete health and performance, to combat PEDs.
• “People are getting excited about things being outrageous. Instead of just going, well, I don’t agree with that. Fuck that guy.” – Joe Rogan, discussing the phenomenon of outrage culture.
• “The Hulk’s the best. He’s the only one to call. If I was Captain America, I’d be like, listen, I’m Captain America. Get the fuck out of my face.” – Joe Rogan, playfully discussing the Hulk’s power and dominance.