UFC commentator Joe Rogan has certainly become one of the most influential figures of our time. His career spanning over two decades has made him arguably more popular than several fighters on the roster today. However, even the famed podcaster had to, unfortunately, go through what many do in their childhood – bullying.
In episode #1141 of The Joe Rogan Experience, the former Fear Factor host spoke on the subject alongside fellow comic Theo Von. The two discussed mental health and self-confidence, among many things. During a particular segment, Joe shone a light on the day that led him to take one of the most important decisions of his life at the time.
Joe started off by explaining how certain scenarios can stick with people for the rest of their lives. He went on to state that such experiences then “become a defining moment” which becomes hard to get rid of. The podcaster spoke about a confrontation he had with another kid in a locker room, which eventually got physical.
Joe said, “I do remember him getting me in a headlock, throwing me on the ground, and then leaning like he was gonna punch me in the face, but deciding not to. and I didn’t know what to do”. Rogan stated how much he “panicked” during the moment. “I had no martial arts skills,” Joe said.
He continued, “I avoided that kid every time I saw him. I was like I see him on the other side of the school and I was like, ‘f*ck I gotta go around.’ I don’t wanna see that guy who threw me around and could’ve punched me in my face.”
While narrating his thoughts at the time, Joe said, “I was like f*ck this, I gotta figure out how to fight. I don’t want this to happen to me anymore.” He continued, “I gotta learn how to wrestle, I gotta learn some martial arts or something”.
“But that bullying, that fear of being helpless made me get into martial arts,” Rogan concluded. Followed by this incident, he started attending karate and wrestling classes.
When did Joe Rogan begin training in martial arts?
Over the years, Rogan has expressed a firm anti-bullying mentality on his podcast. On numerous occasions, the UFC commentator has spoken on the issue and its uneventful consequences. Reiterating the bullying incident, Rogan sat with Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy in another episode of his podcast.
Joe said, “I was bullied like most people. I didn’t know how to fight. I was scared. And I was like ‘I need to learn how to fight. And I joined a martial arts school and I just got obsessed. with it.”
Rogan explained in great detail how he grew interested in the world of martial arts. Furthermore, he added that he was an avid fan of Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee. He was always intrigued to watch and practice martial arts moves. In the same segment, he explained how he got into taekwondo.
As per Joe, he was at a Red Socks baseball game during his teenage years. Upon returning from the game, he bumped into a taekwondo school along with a friend of his. As he walked upstairs, Rogan saw “this guy John Lee who was the national champion, who was training for the World Cup. So it’s his peak of training. And he was doing a spinning back kick over and over again into this heavy bag.”
While sharing some details about his mentor, Rogan said, “He wasn’t like bow (down.) He was like ‘What’s up man? What the f*ck you’ve been doing man?’ He was a funny dude. He was a street guy who’s really good at martial arts.”
The podcaster also went on to share that his mentor had drug problems at the time. Speaking on the subject, Joe elaborated, “But in that moment when I saw him, he was 27 years old, he was in the prime of his career and he was an elite of the elite.”
And so by the time was 15, Joe became obsessed with this particular martial art. “I got hooked. I signed up and I was there every f*cking day. Yeah, I became obsessed,” concluded Rogan.
What is Rogan’s MMA record?
Even though Joe is an MMA aficionado, he has never fought professionally as a Mixed Martial Arts fighter. As of now, he remains a black belt holder in BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) through 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu. Aside from that, Rogan also holds a black belt in the Gi.
Rogan’s MMA record stands at 0-0. However, he did compete and win the Taekwondo State Championship four years in a row. He also shared in the above episode that he has won the U.S. Open and several national tournaments in taekwondo.
After his years as a taekwondo fighter, Rogan embarked on the kickboxing journey. However, he started to suffer frequent headaches from practicing kickboxing. Add that to the injuries attained during training, Rogan decided to prematurely end his kickboxing stint with a 2-1 record.
Due to his experience as a professional taekwondo fighter, Joe’s kicks in particular transitioned into Muay Thai really well. His kicks have a near-perfect form, with UFC fighters like GSP praising him for the power they generate.
Joe had an abusive childhood
Rogan may have access to the world’s finest luxuries and happiness right now. However, the famed podcaster suffered from quite the opposite as a child. If he were to be believed, Rogan had a really rough upbringing, all owing to his father.
Joe was born to Mary and Joseph Rogan. His mother was a former gym instructor while his father was a New Jersey cop. The two would part ways by the time Joe was only 5 years old. Speaking about his abusive childhood on episode #118 of his podcast, Rogan said, “All my damaged s**t came from my real father before I was seven.”
“My real father was crazy, he was like a psychotic person,” Joe continued. “He beat the f*ck out of my mother, he beat the f*ck out of my cousin. He picked my cousin up by his hair, dude.”
“All I remember of my dad are these brief, violent flashes of domestic violence,” Joe added. “But I don’t want to complain about my childhood. Nothing bad ever really happened to me. I don’t hate the guy.”
Fortunately for Joe, things started changing for the good by the time he turned 7. His mother married another individual who happened to be a computer programmer and an architect. As per Joe, his stepdad seemed to pave the way for “peace and love” since entering into his life.