The following is a conversation with Josh Barnett, one of the greatest fighters in submission

wrestlers in history, with an epic 25-year career that includes being the UFC Heavyweight

Champion and countless other accolades. He also happens to be one of the most intelligent

and brutally honest human beings in all of martial arts, and especially so about his appreciation

of and fascination with violence. Quick mention of our sponsors, which feels ridiculous to say

after that introduction, Monkpack Low Carb Snacks, Element Electrally Drinks, 8 Sleep Self-Coling

Matress, and Rev Transcription and Captionary Service. Click the sponsor links to get a discount

at the support this podcast. As a side note, let me say that I've been a fan of Josh Barnett

for a long time. This conversation was indeed a long time coming and I'm sure we'll talk

many times again. For what is worth, I'm a student of combat sports and admire when they're

done at the highest level, either through masterful execution of skill or relentless dominance

of pure guts. For context, I'm a Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu and have competed in wrestling, submission

grappling, Jiu-Jitsu, Jiro, and even catch wrestling, which is a variant of submission grappling

that Josh is one of the great practitioner scholars and teachers of. I could probably talk

for hours about what I've learned from my time on the mat, but if I were to say one thing,

it is that the mat is honest. You can't run away from yourself when you step on the mat.

It reveals your fears, the lies you might tell yourself, all the delusions you might have,

or at least I had, that there's anything in this world that can be achieved,

except through blood, sweat, and tears. That honesty, taken to the highest levels,

as is the case with Josh, creates the most special of human beings, and definitely someone who's

fascinating to talk to. If you enjoyed this thing, subscribe by YouTube, review it on Apple Podcast,

follow on Spotify, support on Patreon, or connect with me on Twitter, Alex Friedman. As usual,

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