JRE #756 – Kyle Kingsbury

This podcast dives into the world of retired professional mixed martial artist Kyle Kingsbury, exploring his journey from football to fighting, his fascination with the ketogenic diet and psychedelics, and his perspective on life after leaving the UFC. Kingsbury shares his insights on the power of mindfulness, the benefits of pushing physical boundaries, and the importance of self-discovery. Provocative topics include the potential dangers of MMA, the ethics of factory farming, and the impact of psychedelics on consciousness.

Major Topics

1. Fanny Packs and Higher Primate: Joe Rogan gifts Kyle Kingsbury a fanny pack from Higher Primate, a company he co-owns. This leads to a conversation about fanny pack enthusiasm, the quality of Higher Primate products, and the practical benefits of fanny packs, especially for travel.
   1. Joe Rogan’s initial interest in fanny packs and his admiration for Dice Clay’s leather fanny pack.
   2. The Higher Primate fanny pack featuring a unique design and security features.
   3. The use of fanny packs for travel and their ability to protect against theft.
   4. A discussion about the functionality and practicality of fanny packs versus other bags.
2. Bulletproof Vests and Knife-Proof Clothing: The conversation shifts to the topic of bulletproof clothing and its effectiveness. This topic touches on the evolution of bulletproof technology, potential injuries, and a viral video of a reporter testing a knife-proof vest.
   1. The development of bulletproof clothing and its use in various situations.
   2. The effectiveness of bulletproof vests and the potential for penetration and injury.
   3. A humorous discussion about the vice documentary showcasing a knife-proof vest being tested.
   4. The contrast between the effectiveness of knife-proof vests in theory versus reality.
3. The Ketogenic Diet and its Benefits: Joe Rogan and Kyle Kingsbury dive deep into the ketogenic diet, discussing its benefits, implementation, and potential drawbacks. They discuss the science behind it, their own experiences, and the importance of personalized approaches.
   1. The ketogenic diet’s effects on cognitive function, including improved mental clarity and focus.
   2. The role of fat in the ketogenic diet and the importance of high-fat intake for achieving ketosis.
   3. The challenges of transitioning to a ketogenic diet, including potential headaches and digestive issues.
   4. The benefits of using MCT oil to help with the keto adaptation process and the use of exogenous ketones for performance enhancement.
4. The Importance of Movement and Pushing Limits: Kingsbury emphasizes the benefits of physical activity and pushing oneself beyond comfort zones, referencing his own experiences with martial arts, endurance races, and weightlifting.
   1. The importance of a physically active lifestyle for overall health and well-being.
   2. Kingsbury’s personal journey with pushing physical boundaries, from MMA to ultra-marathons.
   3. The benefits of challenging oneself through exercise, including increased strength, endurance, and mental resilience.
   4. The addiction to physical challenges and the mental and physical benefits of pushing limits.
5. Mental and Physical Recovery: The conversation explores the critical connection between physical activity, mental well-being, and recovery. Kingsbury emphasizes the importance of rest, proper nutrition, and mindfulness in achieving optimal performance.
   1. The importance of sleep and rest for physical and mental recovery.
   2. The impact of nutrition on mental health, including the role of gut bacteria and serotonin production.
   3. Kingsbury’s experiences with recovery from injuries and the importance of proper rehabilitation.
   4. The role of mindfulness, meditation, and breathwork in enhancing mental and physical recovery.
6. The Power of Psychedelics and Consciousness: Kingsbury shares his experiences with Ayahuasca, DMT, and LSD, discussing their profound impact on his understanding of himself and the world. He explores the potential for these substances to facilitate personal growth, introspection, and a deeper connection with nature.
   1. Kingsbury’s experiences with Ayahuasca, DMT, and LSD, including visions, insights, and personal transformations.
   2. The potential of psychedelics to facilitate introspection, self-discovery, and a shift in perspective.
   3. The importance of intention and setting in psychedelic experiences, highlighting the potential for both positive and negative outcomes.
   4. The use of psychedelics for personal growth and the exploration of consciousness.
7. The Ethics of Factory Farming and Food Choices: Kingsbury and Joe Rogan discuss the ethical implications of factory farming and the importance of making conscious food choices. They emphasize the impact of factory farming on animal welfare and the environment, encouraging listeners to support ethical and sustainable agriculture.
   1. The harsh realities of factory farming and its detrimental effects on animal welfare and the environment.
   2. Kingsbury’s personal experiences with factory farming and the impact of those experiences on his food choices.
   3. The importance of voting with your dollar and supporting ethical and sustainable farming practices.
   4. The connection between food choices and personal well-being, including the impact of factory-farmed foods on health.
8. The Impact of Technology on Society and Consciousness: Kingsbury and Joe Rogan discuss the rapid evolution of technology and its potential impact on society and consciousness. They explore the benefits and risks of virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and the future of entertainment.
   1. The rapid pace of technological advancements and their potential to transform society.
   2. The future of virtual reality and artificial intelligence, and their potential to blur the lines between real and virtual worlds.
   3. The impact of technology on consciousness, including the potential for altered perceptions of reality and human connection.
   4. The importance of mindful engagement with technology and the need to balance its benefits with its potential downsides.
9. The Importance of Self-Reflection and Growth: Kingsbury highlights the importance of introspective thought, self-reflection, and personal growth, emphasizing the need to learn from mistakes, challenge assumptions, and continuously strive to improve.
   1. The importance of self-reflection and introspection in understanding oneself and one’s motivations.
   2. The need to challenge assumptions, question beliefs, and seek out new perspectives.
   3. The value of learning from mistakes and using them as opportunities for growth and development.
   4. The importance of continuous self-improvement and the pursuit of a more harmonious and fulfilling life.
10. The Nature of Consciousness and the Universe: The podcast delves into philosophical and spiritual themes, touching upon the nature of consciousness, the interconnectedness of all things, and the role of psychedelics in expanding human understanding.
    1. Kingsbury’s experiences with visions and the nature of consciousness.
    2. The potential of psychedelics to expand human consciousness and provide insights into the universe.
    3. The interconnectedness of all things, from the smallest atom to the largest galaxy.
    4. The ongoing quest to understand the mysteries of the universe and the place of humanity within it.
11. The Value of Community and Connection: Kingsbury emphasizes the importance of genuine connection, community, and shared experiences, highlighting the importance of building relationships, supporting others, and fostering a sense of belonging.
    1. The importance of genuine connection and community in human life.
    2. Kingsbury’s experiences with community and shared experiences through martial arts, psychedelics, and other activities.
    3. The benefits of supporting others and fostering a sense of belonging within communities.
    4. The role of community in personal growth and the importance of building meaningful relationships.
12. The Value of a Holistic Approach to Life: Kingsbury advocates for a holistic approach to life, integrating physical, mental, and spiritual aspects. He emphasizes the importance of balance, self-care, and mindfulness in achieving a fulfilling and meaningful existence.
    1. The importance of a holistic approach to life, encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions.
    2. Kingsbury’s personal journey with integrating different aspects of health and well-being.
    3. The benefits of self-care, mindfulness, and a balanced lifestyle in achieving overall well-being.
    4. The importance of taking responsibility for one’s own health and seeking out knowledge and experiences that support a fulfilling life.
13. The Importance of Mindfulness and Letting Go: The conversation emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in navigating life’s challenges and the power of letting go of negative thoughts and patterns.
    1. The benefits of mindfulness in achieving greater self-awareness and emotional regulation.
    2. The importance of recognizing and letting go of negative thoughts and patterns.
    3. Kingsbury’s experiences with mindfulness in the context of MMA, psychedelics, and everyday life.
    4. The power of letting go as a key to personal growth and a more peaceful existence.

Memorable Quotes

• “The choice was made just overnight. It was like, okay. I’m done playing video games. I have a PlayStation 3, just collecting dust. I don’t have a new jet next generation. I’ll probably get one just to play this game. But, yeah, that really instilled in me. a love and a thirst for knowledge. And that’s when I started reading about I read more books than my fight career than I ever did in college.” – Kingsbury describes his decision to prioritize learning and growth over entertainment, emphasizing the impact of his fighting career on his intellectual pursuits.
• “You know? Like, it’s one thing to be a lot of guys are like, yeah. You know, I went to the gym twice. I train hard. I got a massage. That was my recovery. I’m good. I’m good with watching TV and just vegging out and doing whatever. And that’s fine. If you’re I mean, when you’re beat, Sometimes you just need to entertain yourself and relax. That’s fine too. But, you know, that that just fueled reading. That really became, like, where I’m gonna read and in meditation, but meditation, I was like a lot of people. I didn’t get it for a very long time. I just kinda forced myself to do it. over time, it got a little easier, but it wasn’t until Ayahuasca that I really understood meditation.” – Kingsbury contrasts his own pursuit of self-improvement with a more passive approach, highlighting the profound impact of Ayahuasca on his understanding of meditation.
• “The biggest thing that I feel is a cognitive boost. It’s night and day. The sharpness I have mentally is I mean, that’s that’s that’s really what keeps me coming back to it is the mental clarity and focus.” – Kingsbury describes the significant mental benefits he experiences from the ketogenic diet, highlighting its impact on his cognitive function.
• “You know, I mean, it’s hard to gauge with a guy like Cairns. Cairns destroyed everyone. You know? It’s not like you’d be like, oh, you know, there’s this time I spired Cairns and I got him. Like, no. Cairns put my ass every time we spired.” – Kingsbury recounts his experiences sparring with his training partner Cain Velasquez, highlighting the intensity and competitive nature of their training sessions.
• “And I think that if you treat it with respect and you have an intention and reason why you’re doing it and it’s not there’s a time and a place for a man. I just wanna get bombed and feel out of this world or I’m gonna push the envelope and maybe do a mega dose and jump into a float tank, which I still need to try. But, you know, for the most part, you can have relatively small amounts of things like that and completely improve your quality of life with zero repercussion — Yeah. — because you put in the time and you have the write intention of it. This is what I wanna use it for. Right.” – Kingsbury reflects on the importance of responsible use of psychedelics, emphasizing the potential for harm when used irresponsibly and the need for intention and awareness in their application.