Justin Wren

Date: 2013-03-12 | Duration: 1h 43m

Category: Combat Sports, Politics & Media

Episode Overview

Justin Wren shares his extraordinary journey from professional MMA fighter to humanitarian advocate for the pygmy tribes of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He opens up about the brutal realities faced by these indigenous communities, including systemic slavery and displacement by more dominant groups like the Bantu. Wren details his firsthand experiences living among the pygmies, learning their language, and witnessing the devastating impact of illegal logging and mineral exploitation—especially the mining of coltan, a rare mineral critical to modern electronics. His stories reveal the deep cultural richness of the pygmies, from their traditional hunting practices to their music and rituals, while also highlighting the harsh challenges they endure daily. The conversation also touches on Wren’s efforts to free over a hundred enslaved pygmies and his vision for sustainable support that empowers the community without fostering dependency. He reflects on the complexities of navigating tribal politics and the emotional weight of his mission, including the trauma of burying children lost to violence and poverty. Beyond his humanitarian work, Wren candidly discusses his personal battles with addiction and injury during his fighting career, underscoring how his purpose with the pygmies has brought renewed meaning to his life. The episode offers a compelling blend of cultural insight, social justice, and personal resilience.

About Justin Wren

Justin Wren is a professional mixed martial artist and humanitarian known for his unique blend of athletic prowess and advocacy. A former competitor in the UFC, he has achieved notable success in the sport, including multiple championship titles. Beyond the octagon, Wren is celebrated for his philanthropic work, particularly with the Pygmy tribes in the Congo, where he has dedicated himself to improving their access to clean water and advocating for their rights. His compelling story, marked by resilience and a commitment to social justice, has made him a captivating figure in both the sports and humanitarian realms.

Key Moments

– Pygmy Tribes
– Congo Conflict
– Coltan Mining
– Slave Liberation
– Maasai Culture
– Mixed Martial Arts
– Addiction Recovery
– Wilderness Survival
– Traditional Hunting
– Wildlife Encounters
– Cultural Anthropology
– Human Rights Activism
– Indigenous Languages
– Environmental Conservation
– Personal Transformation
– Community Development
– Mental Health
– Documentary Filmmaking
0:00:00 – Introduction to Justin Wren and the podcast
0:01:48 – Justin’s motivation to help the pygmies
0:04:07 – Story of burying a child in the Congo
0:05:14 – Exploitation of pygmies with low wages
0:06:48 – Explanation of coltan and its significance
0:09:39 – Efforts to free enslaved pygmies
0:11:00 – Physical characteristics and lifestyle of pygmies
0:15:56 – First encounter with a tribal chief and living conditions
0:17:22 – Impact of deforestation on pygmy hunting lifestyle
0:18:51 – Learning the pygmy language and culture
0:21:57 – Justin’s nickname ‘great white Sasquatch’
0:23:20 – Receiving a Maasai warrior name
0:26:49 – Maasai warriors’ red clothing and battle practices
0:29:35 – Teaching wrestling to Congolese youth
0:35:32 – Encounter with a black mamba snake
0:39:06 – Wildlife coexistence: crocodiles and hippos
0:42:25 – Historical exploitation for gold, diamonds, and coltan
0:44:19 – Gift from pygmy chief as a sign of respect
0:46:44 – Pygmies’ enslavement by Bantu people
0:50:14 – Social stigma and beliefs about pygmies
0:54:10 – Pygmies’ lack of voice and representation
0:56:59 – Death toll and conflict statistics in Congo
0:59:23 – Justin’s MMA coaching and personal struggles
1:06:05 – Addiction challenges and pill use in MMA
1:09:24 – Injury details and recovery process
1:12:16 – Reflection on past violent behavior
1:13:40 – Description of Congo’s unique geography
1:16:33 – Justin’s identity as a modern-day gladiator
1:18:20 – Feeling of emptiness after being voted off a team
1:22:40 – Desire for personal change and growth
1:24:24 – Fighting for others and purpose
1:27:30 – Life changes through love and acceptance
1:31:28 – Importance of education and awareness
1:34:03 – Plans to connect with Congo communities remotely
1:36:54 – Avoiding dependency in aid projects
1:37:12 – Social media and crowdfunding for support
1:38:47 – Closing remarks and future aspirations

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 The Joe Rogan Experience. Starting point is 00:00:24 Actually, I head out to Vegas after Starting point is 00:00:52 really. Starting point is 00:01:15 I'm like, this guy's a fucking savage. Starting point is 00:01:48 you know, and I wanted my dreams, my everything. And then when I heard about the pygmies, I just Starting point is 00:02:25 I just went with a burden to find out what was going on. Starting point is 00:02:45 the planet. And, uh, heard about what he was doing, heard about, uh, what was happening with Starting point is 00:03:20 children that are, is this the first time they're seeing a white man? To preface the video, this is actually not the pygmies, the video. It's actually the Bantu. Starting point is 00:04:07 But yeah, so that was brutal because on the UG also I posted a video or actually a thread about how I buried a one-and-a-half-year-old in the Congo. Starting point is 00:04:43 I mean, there's been types of it for hundreds of years, but Starting point is 00:05:14 They get paid sometimes corn, sometimes bags of salt, sometimes bars of soap, like a bar of soap for two days of work. Starting point is 00:05:36 and having all this insane conflict going on Starting point is 00:05:55 That coltan, right? Starting point is 00:06:25 So, I mean, I support it even. Starting point is 00:06:48 But I had no clue what coltan was. Starting point is 00:07:12 What does it look like? Starting point is 00:07:33 And sometimes it has more of a coal, like charcoal kind of feature to it. Starting point is 00:07:53 And I don't even know what it is. Starting point is 00:08:10 how much better it is to have an electric car Starting point is 00:08:28 that's another reason why we're in Afghanistan. Starting point is 00:08:45 the stuff. Starting point is 00:08:52 I wish I could meet that dude. Starting point is 00:09:00 He'd be happy to meet you, Starting point is 00:09:07 Just really, like, down to earth. Starting point is 00:09:23 Is that what you're...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #337?

Justin Wren was the guest on JRE #337. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #337?

On Joe Rogan Experience #337 with Justin Wren, topics include Pygmy Tribes, Congo Conflict, Coltan Mining, and Slave Liberation.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #337?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #337 with Justin Wren is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.