Click any moment to jump to that point in the video
Brandon describes his unique, intuitive approach to mental performance coaching, where he doesn't pre-plan sessions but rather "feels into" a client's issue and applies tools in the present moment, akin to real-time problem-solving. This offers insight into the adaptive nature of high-level coaching and the pressure involved.
Joe Rogan discusses the paradoxical nature of modern medicine, acknowledging its life-saving advancements while highlighting the problematic financial incentives that can lead to unnecessary prescriptions, urging a critical approach to separating beneficial practices from profit-driven ones.
Joe Rogan and his guest discuss how certain mouthpieces, beyond protecting teeth, can actually enhance strength in powerlifters by optimizing jaw alignment. They also touch on the issue of microfractures from teeth clenching during workouts.
The host challenges the ease of NLP, leading Brandon to explain that profound personal change, similar to a psychedelic experience, is often emotional and experiential, making it difficult to convey rationally to someone who hasn't felt it. This highlights the gap between intellectual understanding and lived transformation.
Joe Rogan and his guest discuss how the effects of cannabis are highly variable and depend on an individual's life experiences and current mental state. They advise that if someone is already struggling or "all [ __ ] up," potent THC might not be suitable, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness in choosing what works for you.
Joe Rogan explores the idea that human belief can unlock profound states of consciousness, citing examples like spiritual gurus and near-death experiences. He suggests that while we have access to these inner states, we often lack the "code to crack" them, emphasizing that personal revelation or transformative events can serve as these keys.
Joe Rogan and his guest discuss the immense challenge of rebuilding a fighter's confidence after a devastating knockout. They highlight the gap in traditional training camps for mental performance coaching and emphasize the need for dedicated support to help athletes recover from shattered belief systems and return to peak form.
The guest shares his unique experience of using cannabis to enhance his athletic performance, particularly in boxing and pool. He describes how it makes him more sensitive to timing and coordination, deepening his connection to the movements, challenging the stereotype of cannabis leading to laziness.
Joe Rogan and his guest humorously discuss the phenomenon of Planet Fitness's "lunk alarm" and the common gym practice of grunting during heavy lifts. They explore the idea that grunting can actually aid in lifting more weight, contrasting it with the "safe environment" philosophy of some gyms.
Joe Rogan and Brandon Epstein discuss how the mental game is crucial for athletes, but many resist seeking help from sports psychologists due to the core belief that 'being vulnerable makes me weak.' This stigma, prevalent across various professions, prevents them from addressing crucial mental aspects of their performance.
Brandon shares how he realized his aptitude for mental performance coaching by contrasting it with his football career. He recounts a moment where he easily resolved a teammate's headache using relaxation techniques, leading him to recognize his true strength. This offers a personal story of finding one's calling and the limits of physical talent versus mental ability.
Brandon Epstein shares the unexpected origin story of his journey into mental performance coaching. As an 18-year-old 'meathead' football player seeking pro hormones at a supplement shop, he encountered a 'zen-type' neuroscience student who challenged his focus on physical strength and introduced him to concepts beyond his skeptical worldview, marking a pivotal moment in his transformation.
Joe Rogan and his guest discuss the significant benefits of nose breathing for athletes, including improved cardio and the real-world example of UFC fighter Dricus Du Plessis, whose performance surged after fixing his nose. This clip offers valuable insights for anyone looking to enhance their physical endurance.
Joe and Brandon bond over their shared experiences with severe nose injuries from combat sports, discussing the necessity and benefits of reconstructive surgery. They delve into the specific physical toll, like calcium buildup in the nose (similar to cauliflower ear), and Joe shares his surprising decision to get the surgery done in Colombia for its quality and affordability.
Joe Rogan explains why Michael 'Venom' Page (MVP) is such a unique and challenging fighter in MMA, attributing it to his background as an elite karate point fighter. This style allows him to close distance rapidly and land unpredictable shots, making him incredibly difficult to hit or train for.
The speaker explains that many nagging, recurring physical injuries that don't respond to traditional physical therapy often have an emotional or mental root. He shares his approach of using techniques to address these 'psychosomatic' connections, even humorously mentioning using AI to identify spiritual/emotional links to injuries.
The mental performance coach explains his unique approach to helping clients, particularly athletes. He describes bringing them into a relaxed, almost hypnotic state to uncover and address their deepest insecurities, fears, and doubts, which he then helps them release and reprogram using techniques like hypnosis and NLP.
Joe Rogan vividly describes one of the greatest knockouts he's ever witnessed in kickboxing, performed by Raymond Daniels. He details the highly acrobatic and unpredictable technique: a jumping sidekick that transformed mid-air into a spinning back kick to the face, comparing it to 'anime' or 'Dragon Ball Z' moves.
Joe Rogan asserts that while brilliant scientists create life-saving drugs, the 'money people' in pharmaceutical companies publish fake studies and hide data to prioritize profit over patient well-being, a problem he sees extending across various industries, including YouTube.
Joe Rogan and his guest delve into the fascinating concept of the placebo effect, questioning if concentrated belief can accelerate healing. They discuss studies where patients experienced healing simply by believing they received treatment, highlighting the profound connection between mind and body in recovery. Joe also adds a practical caveat about severe injuries requiring actual medical intervention.
Brandon explains the core concept of NLP using a vivid example of helping a baseball player overcome his fear of flying, detailing the visualization technique used. This is valuable for those interested in practical psychology and overcoming phobias.
The guest, a mental performance coach, explains that true mental growth begins by "diving into where you don't want to go." He advises confronting insecurities, fears, and doubts head-on, bringing them into awareness so they can be managed, offering a fundamental principle for personal development.
Brandon Epstein explains how he helped MMA fighter Sean Brady recover from his first professional loss, which shattered his identity of being 'unbeatable.' They worked to clear his nervous system and rebuild his self-belief, illustrating a powerful process of overcoming a mental block.
Joe Rogan reveals alarming issues within the supplement industry, including manufacturing facilities mixing products in the same bins as steroids or creatine, leading to tainted supplements. He also mentions reports of widespread forgeries on Amazon, advising listeners to buy directly from reputable companies like Pure Encapsulations to ensure product authenticity.
Joe Rogan and Brandon Epstein discuss the phenomenon of imposter syndrome and the fear of maintaining success, especially for those who came from nothing. They explain how this fear can lead to self-sabotage and is exacerbated by engaging with negative social media comments, advising against wasting energy on online arguments.
Brandon Epstein explains how anxiety manifests physically in the body, often linked to constricted breathing and adrenaline dumps. He illustrates how a shattered belief system (e.g., in a fighter who thought he was unbeatable) can trigger a domino effect of physical and mental reactions, highlighting the deep connection between mind, body, and nervous system, particularly in high-pressure situations like grappling.
Brandon Epstein addresses the feeling of deflation people might experience when seeing extreme examples of willpower like David Goggins. He emphasizes that there are fundamental, systematic ways to build belief within oneself, assuring listeners that it's not just about brute force but actionable steps that can lead to personal growth.
This moment highlights a fascinating study showing that visualization alone can lead to strength gains comparable to physical exercise, and that combining both yields the best results. It offers compelling evidence for the power of mental training in human performance.
For those struggling with low self-confidence or anxiety, the speaker outlines practical first steps. He advises setting alarms to check in with your feelings, then identifying what thoughts or focus led to those feelings, and finally, consciously 'flipping the focus' to build a new mental 'muscle' through repetition.
This clip explores Steven Pressfield's concept of 'resistance' from 'The War of Art,' which holds people back from their natural inspirations. It delves into how fear of failure and irrational subconscious beliefs (like a mom fearing her kids will leave her if she works out) can create this resistance, preventing action and hindering personal growth.
Joe Rogan highlights LeBron James' severely damaged feet as a testament to the extreme physical toll and incredible durability required for elite professional sports over decades. This moment offers a vivid, somewhat shocking, example of the sacrifices athletes make and the limits of the human body.
Brandon explains why he believes traditional sports psychologists shy away from psychedelics, then shares how his own ego-death experience was foundational to his work. He discusses the nuanced concept of ego, arguing that while ego death creates space for new beliefs, fighters need a "healthy ego" for success, emphasizing management over elimination.
Brandon and Joe discuss alternative methods for achieving profound, psychedelic-like experiences without substances. They highlight the effectiveness of holotropic breathing, especially when combined with a float tank, as a natural way to access altered states of consciousness, including out-of-body sensations.
Joe Rogan describes martial arts, particularly competitive fighting, as a crucial "right of passage" in modern society. He explains how it forces participants to confront the primal fear of harm, building resilience and character in a unique way that differs from street fights due to its consensual and trained nature.
Joe and Brandon analyze the extreme discipline of elite UFC fighters, contrasting Sugar Sean O'Malley's radical lifestyle changes (cutting weed, social media) with Merab Dvalishvili's legendary "superhuman cardio" and relentless work ethic. They explore what differentiates these top-tier athletes, highlighting the fascinating commonalities in their dedication and mental fortitude.
The guest shares a fascinating personal story about a fun study with a neuroscientist that suggested weed had a "neuroprotective effect" on his brain, making it register as healthier after periods of cannabis use, especially relevant given his history of head impacts from football and boxing.
Joe Rogan discusses how Robert O'Neill, the Navy SEAL credited with killing Osama Bin Laden, is involved in the cannabis business and uses it to "get rid of the noise" and help him sleep. This challenges common stereotypes about cannabis users, highlighting its potential benefits for highly disciplined individuals.
Continuing his healing journey, the guest explains how he addressed the root causes of his hypothyroidism, including excessive caffeine and stress, by turning off associated stress responses. He details his decision to stop medication against medical advice, guided by intuition and observing his body's rejection of the pills, offering a powerful narrative for those seeking autonomy in their health.
The guest shares a unique perspective on cannabis-induced paranoia, explaining how he genuinely likes it and uses it as a tool for self-reflection. He describes how it prompts him to address insecurities, be more considerate, and ultimately manage his state of mind more effectively.
The guest shares the initial steps of his journey to naturally heal hypothyroidism, detailing his holistic approach. This includes a strict gut cleanse, elimination diet, fasting, and the surprising benefits of red light therapy for thyroid health, offering actionable insights for those exploring alternative healing methods.
Jamie reads aloud a study on osteoarthritis knee surgery involving 180 patients, revealing that outcomes for those who received actual arthroscopic procedures were "no better than those after a placebo procedure." This prompts a discussion on the often-underestimated power of the placebo effect and the patient's belief system in healing.
Brandon advises against immediately turning to psychedelics for those struggling with mental health, suggesting foundational steps first. He strongly recommends finding a "fun physical hobby" as a powerful remedy, emphasizing that focusing on getting good at something provides a necessary outlet for energy, combating anxiety and the feeling of being lost.
Joe Rogan and Brandon Epstein discuss David Goggins as a rare example of someone who builds belief through sheer willpower, highlighting his incredible feats of endurance despite severe physical limitations (like having 'no knees'). They emphasize how Goggins carries a 'torch for the human will' by publicly pushing beyond perceived limits, inspiring others to redefine what's possible.
Joe Rogan praises UFC fighter Anthony "Fluffy" Hernandez for his relentless pace and seemingly endless cardio, describing him as a unique force who "melts dudes." The moment becomes controversial when Joe reveals that, contrary to other disciplined athletes like Sugar Sean O'Malley, Hernandez smokes a ton of weed, sparking a discussion about individual paths to elite performance.
Joe Rogan reveals breaking news about the UFC's new deal with Paramount Plus, stating that all events, including pay-per-views, will now be available for free with a Paramount+ subscription. He predicts this move will massively expand the sport's reach by making it more accessible to a wider audience, calling it a "super smart move" for Paramount.
Joe Rogan passionately advocates for Jiu-Jitsu as a powerful remedy for young men, highlighting its unique blend of physical challenge, mental problem-solving, and emotional regulation. He explains how it builds confidence, provides purpose, and acts as a "vehicle for developing human potential," making it ideal for those feeling lost or anxious.
Joe Rogan warns about the dangers of psychedelic abuse, cautioning that some users lose grip on reality. This leads into a bizarre story about an Austin cult leader – a gay porn star and hypnotist – who, despite his manipulative and predatory behavior, genuinely seemed to facilitate profound spiritual experiences for his followers, raising complex questions about belief and reality.
Joe Rogan continues to marvel at David Goggins's extreme endurance, noting his performance in a 200-mile race at age 50 with 'no knees,' and his ability to out-train elite MMA fighters. Rogan explains that while most people can't replicate Goggins's intensity, his public feats raise the personal standards and expectations for what's possible for everyone else.
Joe Rogan shares an incredibly inspiring story of a one-legged boxer, highlighting his insane balance and determination. This moment serves as a powerful illustration of the human will to overcome seemingly insurmountable physical barriers and push the boundaries of what's possible, inspiring listeners to reconsider their own limitations.