Justin Wren

Date: 2017-03-24 | Duration: 2h 7m

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 Five, four, three, two, one. Boom, Justin Wren straight out of the jungle. Look, you got coconut water, you ready to party? Oh, absolutely. You got two of them, just in case. Oh, I live off of that stuff. So, first of all, congratulations on your Bellator fight, man. You looked outstanding. Starting point is 00:00:21 Thank you, thanks a lot. Your look is really, like, clicking, man. It's really coming together, huh? Yeah, finally the muscle memory is back, and i'm at a new camp that's great for my style training with rafael lovato jr uh maybe the best american grappler uh for bjj most accomplished maybe he's fantastic oh good you're so you're in oklahoma is that where he's at yeah oklahoma just moved there and just moved there to train yeah moved there to train and interesting train alongside him and that's also where water for is headquartered out of, is Oklahoma City. Starting point is 00:00:47 Oh, how fucking convenient. Absolutely. So now I have the best of both worlds, my two passions right there. Oh, that's amazing. That's amazing. He's really good, man. Yeah. Rafael Lovato has that pressure style, too, that Salo Hibero smashing style. Starting point is 00:01:02 Very fun to watch that guy. The only guy I've ever felt claustrophobic underneath. Without a doubt. He's just, I can't explain it. You just cannot get away. That smash pass, that pressure pass. He just melts into you and there's no escape. It's like he's melting and he's like glue. Starting point is 00:01:17 Yeah, Salo, Shanji. That whole family of that style of jiu-jitsu is so powerful, man. Yeah, I've gotten to meet both of them now. Training with solo and then shanji was there in uh our corner so it was pretty awesome for a bellator fight i was kind of i was kind of bummed out at rafael levato's last fight because he stopped him with strikes i was like god damn it yeah kicked him in the head 13 seconds yeah it was crazy i mean it's great to see him succeed and do well, bu...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #937?

Justin Wren was the guest on JRE #937. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #937?

On Joe Rogan Experience #937 with Justin Wren, topics include Pygmy Tribes, Congo Conflict, Coltan Mining, and Slave Liberation.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #937?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #937 with Justin Wren is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.