The voice of the UFC, comedian, actor martial artist and podcast pioneer reveals the physical and mental philosophies for life and working out.
TRAIN: Do you feel like a comedian who works as a commentator or vice versa?
“I feel like a human being who’s been very fortunate to be able to do what he loves and make a living. It’s certainly two different jobs, creating comedy, putting it together and performing it live; there’s definitely a difference between doing that and commentary. I’m just very blessed that I can enjoy doing both so my jobs never feel like a chore. There’s never a time when the UFC card starts and I wish I were somewhere else. I get very excited, it’s 100% organic and I don’t have to force it – I’m a real fan.”
Some comedians can suffer from angst. How about you?
“I certainly did, yeah, and I think that leads one to try and prove oneself as a competitor and martial artist. They’re strangely related, but comedy almost is a martial art for dealing with nonphysical life. Comedy defines and looks at the absurdities of things to create a method for avoiding damage – very much like jiu-jitsu. Anything that involves great attention to detail and a lot of technical knowledge, a lot of it comes from an unbalanced place.
“For fighters and comedians it comes from not feeling loved, it’s usually what drives the craziest ones. There’s a massive need to prove themselves. However, it’s not always that. Lots of fighters had happy homes they just grew up and loved that more than anything so it’s not a hard fast rule. But there are a lot of people who are comedians and fighters in that business so in that sense they’re very connected.”
What are the big divides surrounding MMA going mainstream?
“There’ll always be people who don’t like boxing, who don’t like martial arts and think it’s violent and kids will be using it at school, but they won’t have competed or know the true essence of it. Outside of war there’s nothing scarier than MMA. People don’t understand that this is a test of will, strength, technique and preparation. It’s the human pushed to his limitations in hand-to-hand combat.”
What is your sporting motto?
“I don’t really have one, but I think sport should be about elevating your human potential. I play high-level pool and when you play really well, when your body’s in tune, there’s a deep sense of accomplishment because you controlled your body with your mind. You aim with your hand but controlled it with your mind, your focus. You can’t even be slightly off if you want that ball to hit in the pocket with a satisfying slap. The average person most likely won’t figure out how to do that, but when you do, you elevate your character.
“There’s a great quote from a Samurai Miyamoto Musashi, author of The Book of Five Rings, who wrote that once you understand the way broadly you can see it in all things. I think when you get really good at anything you understand what it’s like to excel and you see things to their highest potential. And this aids you in other areas in life and to have more confidence.”
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