#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 career
• Dropping everything and moving to Las Vegas to train with UFC legend Randy Couture
• The transformative impact of YouTube and social media on the fighting world, enabling easy sharing and learning of techniques
• The key elements of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu: energy management, adaptability in uncomfortable situations, and exploiting opponents' weaknesses
• His dedication to being a supportive father to his daughter and encouraging her interests
• The importance of financial management; living below your means and investing your savings to stave off inflation
• His desire for a legacy that leaves MMA and Las Vegas in a better place, while being a good father
• Developing 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