4-Aug-21
JRE MMA Show #113 with Chad Mendes – Podcast Topics and Summary
This episode of the Joe Rogan Experience delves into the life and experiences of retired UFC Featherweight fighter Chad Mendes, a passionate hunter, and owner of the outdoor guide service Finz and Featherz. The conversation explores various topics, including Mendes’ transition from fighting to entrepreneurship, the challenges of retirement, the brutal realities of combat sports, the controversial issue of fighter pay, and the fascinating world of nutrition and health, specifically the carnivore diet. Throughout the discussion, Rogan and Mendes unpack the complexities of athletic identity, the pressures of weight cutting, and the mental and physical toll of fighting.
1. **Chad Mendes’ Transition to Entrepreneurship:**
* Mendes describes his initial struggle to find purpose after retiring from fighting, experiencing a brief period of depression.
* He channeled his energy into building multiple businesses, including his outdoor guide service Finz and Featherz.
* Mendes reflects on the intensity and focus required to succeed in both fighting and business.
* He emphasizes the importance of finding a new outlet for his competitive drive after retiring from fighting.
2. **The Challenges of Retirement for Fighters:**
* Mendes sheds light on the difficulty of transitioning out of a career that has consumed one’s entire life.
* He highlights the struggles fighters face with their identity and finding a new sense of purpose after retirement.
* Mendes contrasts the demanding routine of a fighting career with the uncertainty of retirement.
* The conversation underscores the need for fighters to have a plan beyond fighting.
3. **The Brutal Realities of Combat Sports:**
* Mendes discusses the lasting physical impact of fighting, noting the stiffness and pain experienced by veteran fighter Dan Henderson.
* He emphasizes the importance of mental toughness and the ability to push through pain in combat sports.
* Mendes shares his concerns about the long-term health consequences of fighting, specifically the potential for brain damage.
* The conversation highlights the sacrifices and risks involved in pursuing a career in combat sports.
4. **The Controversial Issue of Fighter Pay:**
* Mendes expresses his support for an insurance plan for fighters, advocating for greater protection against injuries and financial hardship.
* He highlights the vulnerability of fighters who lose their purse due to bad referee calls or opponent injuries.
* Mendes acknowledges the complexities of fighter pay, recognizing the UFC’s perspective of needing to draw viewers.
* The conversation touches on the debate between rewarding the best fighters and those who generate the most revenue.
5. **Weight Cutting in Combat Sports:**
* Mendes strongly criticizes weight cutting in MMA, comparing it to sanctioned cheating.
* He argues that fighting at a weight class that reflects a fighter’s natural weight would lead to healthier outcomes, better performances, and fewer injuries.
* Mendes details his own experience with extreme weight cuts, highlighting the potential for negative health consequences.
* The conversation advocates for more weight classes in MMA to minimize the need for drastic weight cuts.
6. **The Carnivore Diet and Psoriasis:**
* Mendes shares his personal experience with the carnivore diet and its positive impact on his lifelong battle with psoriasis.
* He attributes his skin condition improvement to a significant reduction in sugar intake.
* Mendes emphasizes the importance of finding the right diet for individual needs, recognizing that what works for one person may not work for another.
* The conversation encourages experimentation and awareness of how different foods impact your body.
7. **The Importance of Finding a Passionate Coach:**
* Mendes and Rogan discuss the impact of having a coach who is truly invested in their athletes’ improvement.
* They highlight the role of coaches like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Mark Henry, and John Danaher in fostering athletic growth.
* Mendes describes the importance of a coach’s obsession with refining technique, creating personalized strategies, and pushing athletes to their limits.
* The conversation emphasizes the profound influence a coach can have on an athlete’s development and success.
8. **The Mental and Physical Toll of Sparring:**
* Mendes shares his experiences with intense sparring sessions at Team Alpha Male, emphasizing the importance of structured training to minimize potential brain damage.
* He acknowledges the risks of concussion and the need for coaches to prioritize athletes’ long-term health.
* Mendes highlights the challenges of balancing intense training with the need for recovery and preservation.
* The conversation underscores the importance of finding a balance between pushing limits and prioritizing safety in combat sports training.
9. **The Evolution of Bare Knuckle Fighting:**
* Mendes reveals his upcoming fight in the bare knuckle boxing scene, highlighting the growing popularity of the sport.
* He explains his decision to transition to boxing, wanting to try something different and capitalize on his athletic abilities.
* Mendes discusses the risks and rewards of bare knuckle fighting, acknowledging the potential for hand injuries but highlighting the increased excitement and entertainment value.
* The conversation delves into the history of bare knuckle fighting and its evolution within the combat sports landscape.
10. **The Future of Combat Sports:**
* Mendes and Rogan speculate on the potential for bare knuckle MMA, suggesting a more realistic and exciting format.
* They express their preference for a more open combat space, eliminating the influence of the cage.
* Mendes believes that removing extraneous factors like the cage could lead to more strategic fights.
* The conversation explores the ongoing evolution of combat sports and the potential for new formats to emerge.
11. **The UFC’s Dominance:**
* Mendes acknowledges the UFC’s dominant position in the MMA world, noting the difficulty for other organizations to reach the same level of success.
* He recognizes the UFC’s strategic approach to incorporating popular former fighters into the bare knuckle scene.
* Mendes discusses the ongoing efforts to create alternative MMA organizations, highlighting the competitive landscape.
* The conversation underscores the UFC’s legacy and the challenges faced by other MMA organizations.
12. **The Unpredictability of Human Bodies:**
* Mendes and Rogan discuss the varying responses of individual bodies to different diets, emphasizing the importance of personal experimentation.
* They highlight the importance of understanding your own body and how it reacts to different foods.
* Mendes shares his experience with the carnivore diet and the adjustments he made for training purposes.
* The conversation emphasizes the need to be mindful of individual needs and finding what works best for you.
13. **The Power of Mental Discipline:**
* Mendes and Rogan discuss the exceptional mental discipline required for extreme endurance athletes like Cam Hanes and David Goggins.
* They compare the relentless dedication of these athletes to the mental toughness required for combat sports.
* Mendes expresses his admiration for the mental fortitude it takes to push through pain and achieve extraordinary feats.
* The conversation underscores the power of mental strength in achieving seemingly impossible goals.
14. **The Importance of Staying True to Yourself:**
* Mendes discusses the importance of pursuing your passions and not letting fear or doubt hold you back.
* He reflects on the decision to return to fighting at the age of 36, acknowledging the risks but embracing the opportunity.
* Mendes emphasizes the need to follow your own path, even if it goes against conventional wisdom.
* The conversation encourages listeners to take risks and pursue their dreams, regardless of age or external pressures.
15. **The Importance of Finding a Balance:**
* Mendes and Rogan discuss the importance of finding a balance between pushing limits and prioritizing safety in all aspects of life.
* The conversation touches on various aspects of this balance, including weight cutting, sparring, and diet.
* Mendes emphasizes the importance of being mindful of your body and making choices that support your long-term health.
* The conversation encourages listeners to be self-aware and prioritize overall well-being.
### 5 Memorable Quotes:
* “It’s one of the most difficult things for a fighter is the stopping fighting, but you don’t know what to do with all this intense energy that you’ve been focusing your whole life in one way.” – Chad Mendes reflects on the challenge of transitioning from fighting to a new chapter in life.
* “The whole thing about this sport is how many people are going to watch you fight.” – Mendes acknowledges the reality of fighter pay being influenced by popularity and entertainment value, not just skill.
* “It’s just such a privilege to like, oh, I like eating everything. Why do I have to only eat meat?” – Rogan highlights the stark contrast between the struggles of those facing food scarcity and the luxury of choosing a specific diet.
* “I have other businesses that are doing really well right now that are something that I can do for the rest of my life and not have to ever fight. But I have that itch to get in there competes though.” – Mendes explains his motivation for returning to fighting, balancing his entrepreneurial success with his passion for competition.
* “To find ones that are just maniacally obsessed. So rare.” – Mendes emphasizes the exceptional quality of coaches who are genuinely invested in their athletes’ growth and development.