Jonathan Gottschall

Date: 2015-05-18 | Duration: 2h 59m

Category: Combat Sports, Health & Medicine

Episode Overview

Jonathan Gottschall joins the Joe Rogan Experience to discuss his immersive journey into the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) and the deeper nature of human violence. Gottschall shares candid stories from his own experience training and eventually competing in cage fighting, revealing the physical and psychological challenges he faced. He reflects on the culture of MMA gyms, the intense preparation required to step into the cage, and the surprising camaraderie and communication that exist beneath the sport’s brutal surface. His insights challenge common perceptions about violence, emphasizing that fighting is often about controlled skill and respect rather than unchecked aggression. The conversation also delves into the evolution of MMA, including the rise of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the impact of legendary fighters like Bas Rutten and Anderson Silva. Gottschall discusses the complexities of weight cutting, injury risks, and the ongoing debates around safety measures such as glove design and fight regulations. He touches on the toll the sport takes on athletes’ bodies and minds, as well as the role of performance-enhancing drugs and the difficulties of maintaining integrity in a highly competitive environment. Throughout, Gottschall highlights the paradox of fighting as both a primal human instinct and a disciplined, strategic endeavor that continues to captivate millions worldwide.

About Jonathan Gottschall

Jonathan Gottschall is an esteemed American literary scholar and professor at Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, where he delves into the intriguing intersection of literature and evolution. He is the author of the critically acclaimed book, *The Professor in the Cage*, which explores the primal roots of storytelling through the lens of mixed martial arts and human behavior. Known for his engaging approach to complex themes, Gottschall's work challenges conventional narratives by merging insights from biology, psychology, and literature, making him a captivating voice in contemporary discussions about the human experience. His unique perspective not only enriches the academic landscape but also resonates with a broader audience eager to understand the evolutionary significance of storytelling.

Key Moments

– Mixed Martial Arts
– Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
– MMA Training
– Fight Psychology
– Combat Sports Injuries
– Weight Cutting
– MMA History
– Fight Strategy
– MMA Culture
– Steroid Use in Sports
– Fight Safety Rules
– MMA Fighters
– Martial Arts Techniques
– Fight Conditioning
– Sportsmanship
– Fight Promotion
– Combat Sports Ethics
– Fight Recovery
– MMA Weight Classes
0:00:00 – Introduction and initial greetings
0:02:28 – Discussion on violence and human nature
0:06:06 – Jonathan Gottschall's background in cage fighting
0:09:19 – Starting martial arts with taekwondo
0:11:00 – Early fascination with fight videos
0:14:15 – Training at Mario Sperry's gym
0:16:54 – Preparing mentally and physically for cage fights
0:19:04 – Starting beginner MMA classes
0:20:38 – Gym communication and sparring etiquette
0:24:14 – The reality of fighting and pain
0:27:27 – Stress relief through training
0:29:34 – Jiu-jitsu culture versus macho culture
0:33:25 – Traveling for jiu-jitsu tournaments
0:37:08 – Balancing adjunct teaching and fighting
0:39:30 – Media reaction to Gottschall's book
0:44:06 – Criticism of thuggish behavior in MMA
0:45:28 – Favorite chaotic UFC fights
0:49:52 – Admiration for fighters' courage and skill
0:53:01 – Debate on gloves and fight safety
1:02:10 – Training intensity and physical limits
1:06:30 – Knee injuries and fighter recovery
1:10:57 – Body awareness in fighting
1:13:12 – Substance abuse issues in MMA
1:15:58 – Mental toll of preparing for fights
1:19:16 – Rule changes after dangerous fights
1:23:53 – Bare knuckle fighting insights
1:28:09 – History of Pancrase organization
1:31:40 – UFC's role in fight promotion
1:34:44 – Fighting inside the cage and fence issues
1:36:54 – Grip techniques in grappling
1:40:01 – Modern society and violence
1:42:37 – Violence reactions leading to better world
1:45:01 – Typical bar fight escalation
1:49:41 – Motivations behind fighting
1:54:20 – Defining what makes a fighter
1:56:44 – Floyd Mayweather's fight intelligence
2:00:19 – Artistry in fighting
2:04:31 – Danger level of MMA
2:07:57 – Challenges of bull riding compared to fighting
2:10:13 – Recommended book on hunting and combat
2:15:34 – Educational value of first hard punch
2:18:12 – Writing as a pursuit beyond fighting
2:21:31 – Learning from early fight experiences
2:26:18 – Understanding fight defense and attacks
2:31:33 – Training heart and physical conditioning
2:36:45 – Effectiveness of drug testing in MMA
2:43:21 – Consequences of doping violations
2:49:10 – BJ Penn's conditioning and skill
2:52:27 – Standing up to stronger, skilled opponents
2:55:14 – Perspective on fighters as people

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Okay. Good? Good? Good. Starting point is 00:00:20 and even more fascinated to talk to you about this. Starting point is 00:00:45 A half? Yeah. I don't know why and a half at the time. A half? Starting point is 00:00:53 Me too. Starting point is 00:01:09 And there used to be this auto parts store across the street about as far away as, you know, I could hit it with a snowball if I threw it. Starting point is 00:01:51 I've literally never been in a fight before. Starting point is 00:02:28 overall, it sounds contradictory, but it's not necessarily about violence. Starting point is 00:03:03 it, for this violence at the heart of human nature. Then I go over there and I find that my theory isn't very good. Starting point is 00:03:49 instructor he's got named mark schrader warns us about all the time because guys get mad they get Starting point is 00:04:19 Yeah. Starting point is 00:04:34 And a couple other guys. Starting point is 00:05:08 to actually feel it to feel what's actually happening to you to feel what it's like to get Starting point is 00:05:33 I wanted to figure things out about it. Starting point is 00:06:06 I was not new to cage fighting. Starting point is 00:06:35 it up because of the ufc yeah i went missed the boat when machida came along then all of a sudden Starting point is 00:07:14 And long story short is guys like us, they're not just losing. Starting point is 00:07:47 Yes. Starting point is 00:08:07 No, but I do now. Starting point is 00:08:29 I would have gone into it earlier, but it took a long time for MMA and BJJ to make it to my neck of the woods. Starting point is 00:09:05 It's very difficult to make money teaching MMA. Starting point is 00:09:19 I started out in taekwondo Starting point is 00:09:40 It was just all about kicking. Starting point is 00:10:10 You're throwing a lot of kicks. Starting point is 00:10:32 that it's not martial arts, Starting point is 00:10:48 And when they did take you down, they would just b...

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Jonathan Gottschall was the guest on JRE #649. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

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On Joe Rogan Experience #649 with Jonathan Gottschall, topics include Mixed Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA Training, and Fight Psychology.

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