3-Mar-23
This podcast dives deep into Derek Wolfe’s life, exploring his NFL career, his love for the outdoors, and his post-football journey. Provocative topics include his harrowing NFL injuries, his use of mushrooms and Adderall, and his views on the state of modern masculinity. Underlying themes explore the importance of mental fortitude in extreme environments, the duality of controlled rage and vulnerability, and the enduring power of primal instincts.
Here are some major topics explored in the podcast:
- Derek Wolfe’s NFL Career and Injuries:
- Derek Wolfe describes his impressive NFL career, highlighting his Super Bowl victory and his role as a dominant defensive lineman.
- He details a litany of career-threatening injuries, including a bruised spinal cord that left him paralyzed for three hours and a severe seizure that put him in a coma for 36 hours.
- He discusses the culture of playing hurt in the NFL and the pressure to perform, even with debilitating injuries.
- He shares his perspective on the NFL’s medical practices, expressing skepticism about their genuine care for players.
- Derek Wolfe’s Use of Mushrooms and Adderall:
- Derek Wolfe openly reveals his use of microdosing mushrooms and Adderall before NFL games, claiming they enhanced his focus and fueled his aggressive playing style.
- He discusses the combination’s effects on his mindset, describing a state of controlled rage that fueled his performance on the field.
- He credits the combination with allowing him to overcome the mental and physical challenges of playing football.
- He shares his belief that the NFL’s culture of playing hurt normalized the use of performance-enhancing substances.
- Derek Wolfe’s Views on Modern Masculinity:
- Derek Wolfe expresses concern about the rise of “soy boys,” arguing that modern masculinity is being emasculated by a lack of testosterone and traditional values.
- He contrasts his own upbringing, marked by physical challenges and a “survival mode” mindset, with what he perceives as a softer, less resilient generation.
- He draws connections between his own experiences in football and the primal instincts that he believes are essential for success in competitive fields like sports.
- He suggests that a certain level of “fucked-upness” is necessary for success in certain professions, particularly those involving physical confrontation.
- Derek Wolfe’s Passion for the Outdoors:
- Derek Wolfe discusses his love for bow hunting and the primal connection it provides, contrasting it with the artificiality of gun hunting.
- He details his intense mountain lion hunt, a challenging and physically demanding experience that pushed him to his limits.
- He shares his views on animal conservation and the importance of managing populations to ensure a healthy ecosystem.
- He expresses his belief that hunting is a natural part of the human experience and a valuable tool for conservation.
- Derek Wolfe’s Personal Growth and Transformation:
- Derek Wolfe candidly shares his challenging childhood, which included an alcoholic mother, an abusive stepfather, and a lack of a father figure.
- He details his struggles with trauma and intimacy, stemming from his dysfunctional upbringing.
- He describes how having a daughter changed his perspective on unconditional love and helped him heal from his past.
- He talks about his use of EMDR therapy, a powerful treatment that helped him confront and process past trauma.
- Derek Wolfe’s Belief in Past Lives:
- Derek Wolfe expresses his belief in past lives, suggesting that they might influence our present-day talents and fears.
- He describes a vivid experience during EMDR therapy where he felt like he was transported to a Viking camp, reliving a traumatic battle in which he was betrayed and killed.
- He discusses the potential for genetic memory and the transfer of knowledge across generations.
- He acknowledges the potential for imagination to play a role, but ultimately supports his experience with DNA evidence that reveals his Scandinavian ancestry.
- Derek Wolfe’s Views on Civilization and Ancient History:
- Derek Wolfe delves into theories about a reset of civilization, citing evidence from Graham Hancock and Randall Carlson that suggests a cataclysmic event wiped out a more advanced society.
- He explores the mysteries of ancient structures like the pyramids, questioning the prevailing narratives about their construction and purpose.
- He discusses the potential for lost technologies and the cyclical nature of civilization, suggesting that we are likely repeating patterns from the past.
- He expresses skepticism about mainstream narratives about ancient history, encouraging listeners to be critical of what they are told.
- Derek Wolfe’s Perspectives on the Modern World:
- Derek Wolfe criticizes the over-reliance on technology and the increasing reliance on social media, highlighting the potential for these things to dehumanize and disconnect us.
- He expresses concern about the environmental impact of modern technology, citing Elon Musk’s stance on Bitcoin mining and the vast plastic patch in the ocean.
- He laments the political climate, criticizing the increasing influence of lobbyists and the lack of genuine representation for the common man.
- He expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of voting and the ability of politicians to address critical issues like poverty and social unrest.
- Derek Wolfe’s Approach to Training and Wellness:
- Derek Wolfe details his intense training regimen, which includes high-intensity workouts, cold plunges, and saunas. He highlights the importance of functional training for real-world activities.
- He discusses the benefits of both cold therapy and heat therapy, sharing his personal experiences with both.
- He emphasizes the value of a structured routine and the importance of finding activities that bring joy and purpose.
- He encourages listeners to experiment with different types of training and to find what works best for them.
- Derek Wolfe’s Experiences with the Comedy World:
- Derek Wolfe discusses his involvement in the comedy world, both as a performer and as a fan.
- He describes his experience hosting a comedy show with Joe Rogan, featuring prominent comedians like Roseanne Barr and Ron White.
- He highlights the unique energy and camaraderie of the comedy community.
- He expresses his enthusiasm for his new comedy club in Austin, Texas, highlighting its potential to become a hub for creative expression and entertainment.
- Derek Wolfe’s Perspective on the Future:
- Derek Wolfe shares his belief that modern society is headed towards a future of “soy boys” with low testosterone and a diminished sense of masculinity.
- He expresses concerns about the potential for a decline in human resilience and the impact of this on society.
- He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a connection to nature, acknowledging the grounding and empowering influence it has on our lives.
- He encourages listeners to embrace their inner “savageness” and to find ways to thrive in a challenging world.
Memorable Quotes:
- “If you play pussy, you’re gonna get fucked.” – Derek Wolfe’s blunt statement about the need for aggression and resilience in football.
- “That’s when I realized, man, I was like, they don’t care about us. There’s another guy waiting to take your spot.” – Derek Wolfe’s cynical take on the NFL’s indifference to player health.
- “Dude, the fucking focus is out of control. And I would just like, before games, I would like get myself pissed off. So I just would start thinking about my childhood, like the shit that I went through as a kid. And they would fucking get me in this rage mode. And it was like this crazy controlled rage.” – Derek Wolfe’s description of his pre-game ritual, combining mushrooms, Adderall, and childhood trauma to fuel his aggression.
- “I don’t want to be a fucking Boy Scout. Exactly. When John Jones kept getting into trouble and people are like, you believe what John Jones did? I’m like, John Jones is a wild motherfucker. That’s why he’s the greatest of all time.” – Derek Wolfe’s defense of John Jones’s unpredictable behavior, suggesting that a certain level of “fucked-upness” can be necessary for greatness.
- “I really do think it’s so important the way you tell your story because I really do think it’s important and I know there’s guys out here, all kinds of people out there that will listen to that and realize like it’s possible. It’s possible to get through the lowest points. And come out of an awesome life.” – Joe Rogan’s appreciation for Derek Wolfe’s honesty and his hope that his story will inspire others.