#24: Forrest Griffin

Forrest Griffin is a retired MMA fighter and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, now serving as the VP of Athlete Development at the UFC Performance Institute. In 2013, he claimed a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame.

In this episode, Forrest shares how he left his job as a police officer to pursue a career in fighting, faced financial struggles and injuries, but persevered and eventually became a world champion.  He also talks about parenthood and marriage, money management, the importance of self-reliance and adaptability, and what it takes to become a champion in fighting or any other endeavor. He also speaks about:Why we're drawn to combat sports How Dana White persuaded him to take part in the The Ultimate Fighter TV show, launching his careerDropping everything and moving to Las Vegas to train with UFC legend Randy CoutureThe transformative impact of YouTube and social media on the fighting world, enabling easy sharing and learning of techniquesThe key elements of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: energy management, adaptability in uncomfortable situations, and exploiting opponents' weaknessesHis dedication to being a supportive father to his daughter and encouraging her interestsThe importance of financial management; living below your means and investing your savings to stave off inflationHis desire for a legacy that leaves MMA and Las Vegas in a better place, while being a good fatherDeveloping a self-sufficient, adaptable mindset as a hedge against societal or governmental breakdown

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Forrest’s charitable cause:

Three Square Food Bank, Southern Nevada's only food bank and the area's largest hunger-relief organization, whose mission is to “provide wholesome food to hungry people, while passionately pursuing a hunger-free community."

Books mentioned in this episode:

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk Got Fight?: The 50 Zen Principles of Hand-to-Face Combat By Forrest Griffin Be Ready When the Sh*t Goes Down: A Survival Guide to the Apocalypse by Forrest Griffin

Connect with Forrest on socials:

https://www.instagram.com/forrestgriffin https://twitter.com/ForrestGriffin https://www.facebook.com/OfficialForrestGriffin