3-May-22
This podcast delves deep into the world of Khalil Rountree Jr., a UFC Light Heavyweight fighter, exploring his unique training regimen, his journey to becoming a fighter, and his aspirations beyond the Octagon. Provocative topics include microdosing, Bitcoin, and the importance of mental health. Underlying themes revolve around the multifaceted nature of athletic performance, the evolution of fighting styles, and the quest for personal growth and financial security.
- The Power of Sauna and Ice Baths:
- Rountree advocates for the use of sauna and ice baths as crucial recovery tools for athletes, especially fighters.
- He details his personal experience with this method, emphasizing its benefits for both physical and mental well-being.
- He highlights the importance of stretching and breathing exercises in conjunction with these methods.
- Rountree’s personal experience with the combination of sauna, ice baths, and microdosing mushrooms suggests a unique approach to enhancing performance and well-being.
- The Benefits and Ethics of Microdosing:
- Rountree discusses his personal experience with microdosing mushrooms, emphasizing its positive impact on his cognitive function, mental clarity, and overall sense of well-being.
- He expresses his belief that microdosing is a potential future for enhancing human potential and promoting mental health, without the negative side effects of traditional medication.
- The conversation touches on the ethical considerations of microdosing, comparing it to the use of marijuana and its impact on training and performance.
- The podcast explores the nuances of dose-dependency and the potential for negative effects when microdosing, highlighting the need for responsible and controlled usage.
- The Evolution of Hip Hop and Sampling:
- Rountree and Rogan engage in a lively discussion about the history of hip hop, exploring its origins and the impact of sampling on the genre.
- They delve into the legal and ethical complexities of sampling, highlighting cases where artists have faced lawsuits for copyright infringement and the evolving understanding of what constitutes plagiarism in music.
- The conversation highlights the unique creativity and ingenuity of hip hop artists who have used sampling to create new and innovative music.
- They discuss the iconic status of Wu-Tang Clan and their impact on hip hop culture, referencing the Hulu series “Wu-Tang: An American Saga” and the individual brilliance of members like the GZA.
- The Rise of Bitcoin and Decentralized Finance:
- Rountree expresses his growing interest in Bitcoin and decentralized finance, highlighting its potential for personal financial empowerment and global impact.
- He shares his experience attending the Bitcoin Conference in Miami, emphasizing the enthusiasm and innovation he witnessed within the community.
- Rountree discusses the potential of Bitcoin as a tool for humanitarian aid, referencing its use by underground church groups to support stateless children in North Korea.
- The conversation explores the potential impact of decentralized finance on traditional financial systems and the potential for government control over digital currencies.
- The Importance of Mental Toughness and a “Warrior Mindset”:
- Rountree’s fight against Karl Roberson reveals a shift in his approach to fighting, transitioning from a more technical style to a “warrior mindset” driven by a sense of duty and a willingness to endure pain and adversity.
- He credits this shift to his maturity as a fighter and his desire to secure his future, recognizing the risks and sacrifices associated with a fighting career.
- The conversation explores the role of emotional resilience and mental fortitude in combat sports, referencing the examples of Marvin Hagler and Andre Arlovski.
- Rountree’s emotional post-fight speech, where he discussed his past suicidal thoughts, highlights the importance of mental health and the power of vulnerability in connecting with others.
- The Uniqueness of Muay Thai Training:
- Rountree’s experience training in Thailand, particularly at Pettin’ Dee, reveals the distinct philosophy and techniques of Muay Thai, emphasizing balance, clinch work, and defense.
- He details the intense training regimen, including daily clinch work and the importance of being able to defend and attack simultaneously.
- He contrasts Muay Thai’s focus on relaxation and fluidity with other styles, highlighting the emphasis on utilizing the entire body to generate power and effectiveness.
- Rountree highlights the cultural significance of Muay Thai in Thailand, emphasizing its role as a national sport and the deep respect it commands within the community.
- The Potential of Podcasting for Fighters:
- Rogan encourages Rountree to explore podcasting as a potential career path beyond fighting, emphasizing his natural charisma, intelligence, and unique perspective.
- He argues that podcasting can provide fighters with an alternative platform for sharing their stories, connecting with fans, and building their brand.
- The conversation highlights the accessibility and growing popularity of podcasting, emphasizing its potential for reaching a large and engaged audience.
- Rountree expresses interest in exploring this path, recognizing the potential for financial independence and creative freedom.
- The Importance of Finding Balance and Pursuing Multiple Passions:
- Rountree’s decision to pursue acting in addition to fighting demonstrates his desire to create a fulfilling and multifaceted life beyond the Octagon.
- He emphasizes the importance of finding balance between training, personal life, and pursuing other passions, recognizing the limitations of a fighting career.
- Rountree’s journey through various gyms, training styles, and experiences reflects his commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement, both physically and mentally.
- The podcast highlights the importance of staying motivated and passionate, even when faced with setbacks and challenges.
- The Role of Diet and Supplements in Performance Enhancement:
- Rountree shares his evolving dietary approach, from experimenting with veganism to adopting a more carnivore-based keto diet.
- He emphasizes the importance of personalized nutrition based on individual needs and preferences, referencing the different dietary approaches taken by fighters like Jay Shields.
- Rountree discusses his reliance on supplements, including those provided by the UFC Performance Institute, but also those sourced from X Endurance, a company specializing in sports nutrition.
- The conversation explores the issue of supplement contamination and the need for careful sourcing and third-party testing to ensure quality and safety.
- The Impact of Lockdown and the Pandemic on Fighting:
- Rountree shares his experience living in Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the impact of lockdowns and travel restrictions on his training and fighting career.
- He details the strict lockdown measures in Thailand, including curfews and restrictions on movement, but also highlights the proactive approach taken by the government in containing the virus.
- He contrasts the Thai response with the more chaotic and politically charged environment in the United States, highlighting the different approaches to addressing the pandemic.
- Rountree’s return to the United States and his decision to move to New York City during the pandemic reflects his desire to be closer to his partner and find a new sense of balance in his life.
- The Cultural Significance of Muay Thai and Gambling:
- Rountree emphasizes the unique cultural significance of Muay Thai in Thailand, where it is viewed as a national sport and a source of national pride.
- He discusses the role of gambling in Muay Thai, highlighting the intensity of betting in stadiums and the potential for influencing judges’ decisions.
- The conversation touches on the potential for corruption and fixed fights within Muay Thai, acknowledging the complexities of regulating gambling in the sport.
- Rountree’s personal experiences with Muay Thai training and the culture surrounding it illustrate the depth of this ancient fighting style, its effectiveness, and its enduring appeal.
- The Subjectivity of MMA Judging:
- Rountree and Rogan engage in a discussion about the challenges of judging MMA fights, highlighting the subjectivity of scoring and the difficulties in evaluating different fighting styles.
- They discuss the use of noise-cancelling headphones by judges during the Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder fight, exploring its potential benefits and drawbacks in terms of focus and objectivity.
- The conversation explores the debate surrounding the scoring of fights where fighters come close to submitting their opponent but ultimately escape, highlighting the difficulty of assigning points in such situations.
- They reference the fight between Brian Ortega and Alexander Volkanovski, highlighting the close calls and the challenges of evaluating dominance and submission attempts in scoring a fight.
- The Evolution of Khalil Rountree’s Fighting Style:
- The podcast highlights the significant evolution of Rountree’s fighting style, from his early days as a raw beginner to his current status as a highly skilled and unpredictable striker.
- He credits his time training in Thailand, specifically at Pettin’ Dee, for his transition to a more Muay Thai-influenced style, emphasizing balance, clinch work, and dynamic kicks.
- Rountree’s experience with other gyms, including Syndicate MMA and Black House, showcases his willingness to experiment and learn from different coaches and training methodologies.
- His journey from a relatively unknown fighter to a UFC contender reflects his commitment to continuous improvement and his ability to adapt and evolve.
- The Importance of Finding the Right Gym and Support System:
- Rountree’s experiences with various gyms, including Mandalay Bay, Black House, and Syndicate MMA, highlight the importance of finding a training environment that fosters growth and supports personal development.
- He emphasizes the importance of having a strong support system, including coaches, training partners, and mentors who believe in an athlete’s potential and push them to reach their full potential.
- The conversation touches on the challenges of navigating the MMA world, including the financial struggles of early career fighters and the need for determination and resilience.
- Rountree’s journey from construction worker to UFC fighter demonstrates the power of finding the right support system and believing in one’s ability to succeed.
5 Memorable Quotes:
- “I feel like lately, I’m fighting for my life more than I am for a sport. You know? Like, when I go in there, when I fight, you’re facing me, like, the man the the person who like, you you kinda have to kill me to beat me in a in a way.” – Rountree’s transformation from a technical fighter to a warrior.
- “I think microdosing mushrooms is the future. I think if people did that, first of all, it doesn’t affect your cognitive function like you’re in a negative way, like your ability to think or talk or or do work or anything like that. But it puts you in such a good place. It’s like, ugh. Yeah. It’s like this elevated place, but it’s it’s not medicated You don’t feel bad when it’s over.” – Rountree’s optimistic view on microdosing’s potential.
- “I’m seeing more and more possibility, and it’s making me more and more secure on, hey, man. I can actually finally have something that I own. That’s mine. Like, whatever I earn is going to be mine, and you can’t touch it. No one can touch it.” – Rountree’s commitment to securing his financial future.
- “I went from eating fast food and, like, sugar and stuff in boxes and all that to kind of just what I saw people in the gym eating, chicken rice, broccoli, steamed fish, you know, things like that, stuff I never even would like think twice about.” – Rountree’s dramatic dietary transformation.
- “Everyone’s so nice. It’s like it’s it’s fascinating to me that a place that known for its incredibly brutal and effective fighting style is filled with the nicest people.” – Rountree’s contrasting view of Thailand’s fighting culture and its people.