JRE #875 – Shannon Briggs

This podcast features a captivating conversation with Shannon Briggs, a former heavyweight boxing champion known for his energetic personality and enduring spirit. The episode delves into Briggs’s personal journey, exploring his struggles with homelessness, depression, and addiction, along with his unwavering drive to overcome adversity. The discussion also covers Briggs’s boxing career, including his unique training methods, notable fights, and the often-controversial nature of the sport.

Major Topics

1. Shannon Briggs’s Personal Transformation: This episode highlights Briggs’s journey from being a suicidal, depressed man battling addiction to finding inner peace and purpose. Briggs attributes his transformation to his daughter, Chloe, who inspired him to clean up his life, get healthy, and focus on positivity.
2. The Impact of Sugar Addiction: Briggs openly discusses his struggles with sugar addiction, which he believes played a major role in his depression and suicidal thoughts. This topic provides a personal insight into the potentially devastating effects of sugar consumption.
3. The Influence of Teddy Atlas: Briggs shares a poignant story about his relationship with boxing trainer Teddy Atlas, highlighting the emotional turmoil he experienced after their split. Briggs reveals that Atlas’s public criticisms pushed him to the brink of suicide, emphasizing the powerful impact a trainer can have on a fighter’s mental well-being.
4. Boxing’s Mental and Physical Demands: The podcast sheds light on the grueling mental and physical demands of boxing. Briggs talks about the pressure of living up to expectations, the constant battle against self-doubt, and the relentless training required to succeed in the sport.
5. The Importance of Finding Your Own Path: Briggs emphasizes the importance of finding your own path in boxing, rather than trying to be someone you’re not. He stresses that different fighters respond to different training methods and motivations, and that a trainer who works for one fighter might not work for another.
6. The Business Side of Boxing: The conversation explores the often-exploitative business side of boxing. Briggs recounts instances where he felt cheated out of money and opportunities, highlighting the challenges faced by many fighters in navigating the industry’s complexities.
7. The Klitschko Feud: Briggs’s long-standing rivalry with former heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko takes center stage. Briggs reveals details about their past interactions, including the infamous paddleboard incident, and explains why he believes Klitschko has avoided fighting him.
8. The Importance of Mental Toughness: Briggs speaks candidly about his struggles with asthma, which has been a lifelong battle. He emphasizes that overcoming this physical challenge has forged his mental strength and resilience.
9. The Power of Social Media: Briggs acknowledges the transformative role social media has played in his life. He credits his nephew Craig with helping him launch his popular social media presence, where he shares positive messages and motivational content. This platform has allowed him to connect with fans on a deeper level, building a global community of supporters.
10. The Importance of a Positive Mental Diet: Briggs advocates for a mental diet, emphasizing the importance of surrounding yourself with positive influences and avoiding negativity. He highlights the damaging effects of consuming excessive news, watching violent content, and listening to negativity in music.
11. The Importance of Family: Briggs emphasizes the importance of family as a source of strength and support. He credits his wife and children with helping him through difficult times and providing him with a reason to keep fighting.
12. The Future of Boxing: Briggs discusses his goals for the future, expressing his desire to bring back excitement and popularity to the heavyweight division. He wants to inspire a new generation of boxing fans and leave a lasting legacy in the sport.
13. The Role of Mentors: Briggs expresses gratitude for the mentors he has had throughout his life, including Larry Holmes and Ray Robinson. He shares their advice and insights, emphasizing the importance of seeking guidance and inspiration from those who have paved the way in the sport.
14. The Importance of Physical Conditioning: Briggs discusses his training regimen, highlighting his commitment to strength and conditioning. He shares his experiences with various training methods, including yoga, cryo therapy, and working with renowned strength coaches, demonstrating his dedication to optimizing his physical performance.
15. The Power of Motivation: Briggs’s story highlights the power of motivation, both for himself and for others. He inspires listeners to overcome adversity, persevere through challenges, and find their own inner champion.

5 Memorable Quotes

• “I’ve been a fan of yours as a boxer for a long time, but I love how you’ve kinda reinvented yourself over the last few years. You know what I mean? Like, you’ve you’ve reinvented yourself with social media.”
• “The sugar thing is a fucked up thing, isn’t it? Like, totally. most people don’t know. That’s what screwed me up. I told you. I was, like, everyday McDonald’s and this is after years of eating right and just letting myself go.”
• “I’ve never spoken about this publicly. This is my first time. Let’s go champ. Let’s go champ.”
• “You’ve done everything, Shannon. You’ve done business. You did well. You know, I didn’t make money. I didn’t make I haven’t made much money in boxes. You know, I’m I’m around guys like 4 I mean, excuse me, like Britney Bow and holy field every day, guys who made 100 of 1,000,000 dollars. I’m lucky if I made $4,000,000, 5,000,000 in boxing.”
• “I don’t wanna go saying man, I wish they had seen me. because I’m nice, Joe. Honestly, those who really know me, like, I’m really good at this boxing thing. Like, I I’m self taught. I watch Muhammad Ali. and Ray Robinson told us blue in the face as a kid, and I am mimicked them as a heavyweight.”