WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Dustin Poirier: "I Deleted Social Media After The Incident

I've had bouts with depression. throughout my career, but man, when it. hits me, it's bad. >> Which kind of brings us to the airport. incident? You know, I really messed up, man. >> You and her and her. >> Look what happened. >> So, it's Father's Day and I felt good in. the morning. I spent the morning with my. kids, but then as I was traveling to. work, I felt that feeling again. It's. like a cloud in my head that I just. can't get out from under. So, I started. drinking. >> I'll fight you right now. >> No, I don't want to fight, bro. >> And my emotions got the best of me. >> Bro, relax. Relax. Relax, bro. Relax. got arrested. >> This guy's a UFC.

>> Did I just ruin everything that I was. working for? You know, I don't know yet. And it could have been so much worse. >> What was going on in your mind? >> I was angry at the world and I just. couldn't stop thinking about my father. You know, he's actually homeless right. now. And I tried to help him out and. he's back out on the street. Not that. anything's an excuse, but it wasn't. myself. And I never really spoke about. it until right now, but I'm back in. therapy. And when you sit down with. somebody and start opening things up, you realize this could be linked to my. childhood. >> And when I think about your earliest.

contacts, you got a father that's an. alcoholic, violence in the home, and. your mom said that you were an alcoholic. kid. >> I started drinking at 12, 13, >> expelled from school as well. >> And you got arrested and I didn't have. any goals. >> So, it was a bit of a roller coaster, but look what happened. You rose, >> one of the best lightweights in the. world. >> I was on top of the world, but the. roller coasters go down too. And this. was the moment. >> Yeah, man. >> July 30th, you retired. How does it feel. looking at that photo?

>> Yeah. I'm trying not to tear up, dude. It was my life, man. Those gloves, me. putting them on the mat is a piece of. myself I left. But a wise man said, "If. a man's lucky, he gets to die twice.". That part of me that every day wake up, push yourself to be the best fighter you. can be, is dead. I'm retired Dustin. I'm. businessman Dustin. Now, you know, it's. just I'm trying to figure it all out cuz. for 20 years I was dreaming about being. the best. I just want to dream again, you know. >> Has there ever been anything that. compared? >> No. Nothing fills that void of what. fighting was. And fighting was a part of.

therapy for me. And some days I wake up. and I'm like, these top guys that are. winning now on these upcoming cards, I. can beat them still. >> So, is there any possibility that you. ever return to the UFC? >> This is super interesting to me. My team. given me this report to show me how many. of you that watch this show subscribe. and some of you have told us according. to this that you are unsubscribed from. the channel randomly. So favor to ask. all of you please could you check right.

now if you've hit the subscribe button. if you are a regular view of the show. and you like what we do here. We're. approaching quite a significant landmark. on this show in terms of a subscriber. number. So, if there was one simple free. thing that you could do to help us, my. team, everyone here, to keep this show. free, to keep it improving year over. year and week over week, it is just to. hit that subscribe button and to double. check if you've hit it. Only thing I'll. ever ask of you. Do we have a deal? If. you do it, I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll make sure every single week, every. single month, we fight harder and harder. and harder and harder to bring you the.

guests and conversations that you want. to hear. I've stayed true to that. promise since the very beginning of the. D of Sio, and I will not let you down. Please help us. Really appreciate it. Let's get on with the show. >> Dustin Porier. >> Yo, >> you know, there's a there's a question. that we kind of throw around in society. Um, we say it quite quite flippantly to. people we meet, friends, family, strangers. Um, but but in this context, I want to ask it in the most sort of. intentional way and give me the long. answer.

How are you doing. >> as a whole? Great. Uh recently. there's been some turbulence, you know. Uh but I'm I'm doing well. Doing well. >> There's been some turbulence. >> Yeah. Give me some color on that. I. last week, which is not new to me, let my emotions.

get the best of me. Kind of was in a in. a bad spot. uh mentally started. drinking, got arrested, you know, um got. into some trouble at the airport in. Atlanta and uh you know, not proud of. it, but it is what it is. >> I want to um give some background. context and I spent the last couple of. days sort of looking through your. childhood and where you come from and. who you are to try and fill the picture. of Dustin Porier in my head. And I've.

got lots of photos of you here as a as a. young man. Um, got another one even. younger here that I'll share with you. here. >> Yeah. >> And I think this is incredibly important. context because I'd watched you fight. the best that there is and beat the best. that there is in the UFC. But it wasn't. until I understood your earliest context. that I started to like understand the. picture of where you've come from and. also in some part like how that makes. you who you are today. >> So, so take me back. What is the early. context that people need to understand. to really understand you as a man?

>> Um, I'm just a man. Uh, trying his best, trying to provide for my family, learning as I go, not scared to work hard, not scared to. chase dreams. Just a kid from Lafayette, Louisiana, who found something to put. his all into and and try to become great. at it, you know, with fighting. >> Your your father and your grandfather. were fighters. My father boxed um. growing up when he was younger. My.

grandfather was in the Navy and worked. in the oil field and stuff. They weren't. successful fighters. I wouldn't say they. were like nobody knew who they were, but. definitely Yeah, I come from fighters. for sure. >> And from money? Do you come from money? >> No, definitely not. >> What was that like growing up? Was there. >> It was normal to me cuz I didn't know. any different, you know. Um, it wasn't. like I missed a meal or anything like. that, but definitely wasn't wasn't rich. or anything or had money to do a whole. lot of things when I was younger, but a. working-class family, you know.

>> And your parents divorced when you were. younger? >> Yeah. Yeah. I lived I lived with them up. until about maybe kindergarten or first. first grade, then they got divorced. >> Do you have any sort of mental models or. mental images of them being together. when younger? Is there any memories of. them being together? >> Honestly, dude, not to to be to turn it. dark or anything, but the early memories. I have of them together aren't the best. You know, it's fighting and violence and. stuff, >> physical fighting. >> Yeah. Yeah.

>> In that Instagram post you you wrote. recently after the incident in the. airport, you mentioned your father and. you mentioned, I think, some of his. struggles. He had his own struggles with. alcohol. >> Yeah. His whole life he has. Yeah. Alcohol has ruined his life. And alcohol. was present when you were a young man. when you were still there. >> He's been an alcoholic my entire life. >> Did you have a relationship with him. after the divorce? >> Yeah, of course. I don't know what. that's called. Uh split custody or. something where. >> every other weekend I would go to his. house, spend the weekend at his house.

>> How did that season of your life do you. think as you look back shape the man. that you became? Like that early context. under the age of 10 years old that. violent parents, they divorce, they. separate, your dad is struggling with. alcohol. Like how do you look back on. that? >> As a grown man, I look back and think my. father was an idiot for, you know, getting not being there with. his kids. You know, as a father, I think. about that. Like I I don't waking up. with my kids in the house, running up to. me, making them breakfast every day. Like I couldn't I I never want to live.

that type of life. I can't can't even. imagine it. So, as an adult and a father. looking back on it, I think he's made a. lot of mistakes that, you know, I think. he still lives with. and your mom. >> Uhhuh. >> Got some nice photos of her as well. Um. that's your wife. Um but she seems to. have been um a real constant throughout. your life. That's her there. >> For sure. For sure. I'll be on vacation. with her in a week. Yeah. Look at my. face. >> Post fight. >> Her and my grandmother raised me. She.

was, you know, everything. Mothers are. everything. And she's she still is, you know, calling me, texting me every day, checking on me, asking how I am. >> And you got two brothers. >> So I have two brothers I grew up with. Two brothers and a sister I met when I. was 25 26 years old from my father. >> I guess I'm trying to figure out as well. cuz I I heard about what you were like. in school. You struggled in school. >> It sounds sounds like you got in a lot. of fights when you were younger.

>> Um I'm trying to figure out where that. came from in you. >> Yeah. I mean, living in South Louisiana, we we. fought all the time. Uh, but I just kept. doing it. I just kept going with. fighting, you know, >> as a young man. I I read that you were. expelled from school as well. >> Uhhuh. >> And was that again for fighting and. struggling to. >> Yeah. Yeah. Fighting. The one that got. me expelled was a fight. >> And that seems to be a little quite a. consistent pattern from 10 to 14. Um, struggling in school, fighting. And then.

at 15, I hear that you end up in. juvenile detention center. >> 14. >> 14. >> Mhm. >> What was the what was the road there? What happened? >> I had got into some trouble at one of. the times I was living with my father. I. uh got into a fight. >> and and physically hurt somebody in the. fight and got arrested and uh I was on. probation at the time and I wasn't going. to school. got picked up for truency and. some other things like that for not. going to school and uh failed the drug.

test. I was on probation at the time, failed the drug test and then I they. sent me to juvenile detention. >> Were you drinking at that age? >> Yeah. >> At 15. >> Mhm. >> When did you start drinking? >> I was talking to my wife the other day. and I was thinking about that. I don't. know 12, 13 probably. H. it is it is quite um it's quite curious. to me that you know 14 15 you're getting. in trouble for fighting you end up in a. detention center you're drinking from 12. years old and it it like begs the. question to me as someone that's done.

lots of these interviews like what was. going on in that in that young man's. mind. >> I don't have an answer what was going on. um not having anywhere to put my focus. not I wasn't trying to be the best at. something I was just living dayto-day. doing whatever you know I didn't have. any goals. I was a young kid, you know. It's tough. to it's tough to say to look back to. that young and really say what I was. thinking at that age. Um. I was just being a kid, I guess. >> Were you a happy kid? >> Yeah. >> You were a happy kid. >> Yeah. >> And you were spending the week with your.

mother and then the week you said was it. the weekends with your father? >> The weekend or every other weekend? I. forget exactly how it was. Yeah. >> And when you talk about his life being. ruined by alcohol, what do you mean by. what do you mean by that? I mean, he has. he's ruined his marriages. He's ruined. his relationships. He's ruined his. friendships. He's ruined his. relationships with his family, with his. kids. Two son, three Well, my little. brother kind of is off and on talking to. him, but he has two kids that don't.

speak to him at all and and won't uh you. know, he's been in jail plenty of times. for for alcohol-related stuff. And. yeah, I if I could paint a picture what. you think of of of a classic drunk uh or. alcoholic, you know, very selfish um and. continues to go back to it. Continues. he's actually homeless. Homeless right. now. >> He's homeless right now. >> Yeah. Part of that me getting in trouble. at the airport was.

I just felt uh and it's not my weight to. carry, you know, but I just felt I try. to help him out and he's back out on the. street. It's like it almost doesn't want. help, you know? And I was just kind of. on Father's Day, I was traveling to work. and I I just. couldn't stop thinking about my father. and I started drinking in the airport. and that's kind of what led to the. incident. It's just But when I feel like. that, you know, I've been going to.

therapy and stuff like that. years ago, I started going to therapy. And. when I started feeling better, I stopped. practicing everything I learned through. therapy, you know, >> and uh then I felt that feeling again. Just an. I guess call it depression. Just didn't. feel well. And when I feel like that, I. know I shouldn't drink. And I drank anyway. So, you know, not. that my father anything's an excuse. Obviously, I did what I did. Um, but I knew I knew better in the moment.

when I'm feeling like that to to to. drink or do anything. You know, alcohol. has never benefited me, especially in. times like that where I'm mentally not. the best. >> You use the word depression there to. describe that feeling to to give it a. word. So, let's use that word. >> Um, can you paint a picture for me in. terms of what that actually feels like? That day that you wake up, it's Father's. Day, you don't feel good. Like, what is. that? >> No, I I felt good in the morning. you. know, I spent the morning with my with. my kids. My daughter wrote me a letter. She gave me presents, you know, did all.

the Father's Day stuff. I had a a great. morning. But then when I left my home to. go to fly out, I started feeling it, you. know, and and. days leading up to that, it would come. off and on, coming off and on, and I. would think about, you know, my father. and it would kind of bring me down, but. it wasn't that bad. But for Father's. Day, it just hit me, man. It hit me hard. >> because he's currently homeless. >> Yeah. >> Here in Louisiana. Yeah. Yeah. I actually, man, when I got out of jail. in Atlanta and flew back home on that.

Tuesday, I got back late maybe Tuesday. Uh Wednesday morning, I drove to where. he. he lives or where he sleeps, and uh went. to the sheriff's office, got in contact. with the coroner. I had to do a whole. process to to sign a OPC, order of. protective custody. I tried to get him. to pick him up against his will and and. all this stuff and they did but I went. at the wrong time and I went early in. the morning when I woke up and when they.

picked him up he wasn't disoriented he. was normal you know and uh so they. released him again. >> What is the range of feelings and. emotions you have towards him at the. moment? you know, he's always. that's tough. And I'm not angry at him. I'm uh and once again, this isn't an. excuse for my actions. You know, my. father just came to a head on Father's. Day, but uh just.

upset to see him doing this to himself. and not getting out of his own way and. continuing to let it get just worse and. worse progressively over the years when. he when he knows better. you know, when. he knows better. I mean, most people when. you make a mistake or do you try to fix. it, you try to make tomorrow better than. yesterday, you know, next year better. than this year. Everybody just keeps. doing the same thing. And that's because.

he's addicted to alcohol. >> What is his story? I wish I I I knew more so I could tell. you, but. been like a hard worker his whole life, you know, did whatever. Worked in the. oil field for a long time, but uh check. to check his whole life. Um. simple guy, you know, was a really good. athlete in in school. Got a woman pregnant at a young age in. high school, so he couldn't uh continue.

to focus and chase his dreams of playing. football. um you know back then when you. got a a girl pregnant you got married. and got a job and and things like that. So that's what he did. >> So that day you wake up you're feeling. okay in the morning it's father's day. you start thinking about your father you. get that feeling that you describe as. depression. >> Yeah. >> Um which is just how what is that. feeling? It's feeling. >> for someone that has never experienced. it before. You know, I I've had bouts.

with depression throughout my career. When it hits me, you know, it hits it. hits me hard. And that day, it hit me. It hit me hard, man. You know, going to. the airport, it just feels like. everything is has a its own gravity and. it's going to pull me towards the. negative. No matter what it is, it's. like a cloud in my in my head that I. just can't get out from under it. It. It's hard to explain to you unless. you've been through it. That's what I. try to tell my wife cuz she's always so. happy and so, you know, which is great. But like when I feel like that and it. doesn't happen often, but man, when it. hits me, it's bad, you know? It's bad.

>> Do you remember the first time you felt. that? >> I don't, but my wife, you know, me and. my wife been together a long time since. we were in off and on through middle. school and high school and all that, but she she tells me, "Don't you Yeah, >> there she is. She tells me, "Don't you. remember? Like, I've always thought. something, you know, you never wanted to. be around big crowds, go to all the. parties with me when I was younger and. do all that stuff." Yeah, because I I. just didn't like to be around that many.

people that much, you know, I I maybe it. was uh anxiety I was dealing with. I. don't know. This stuff is all new to me. So, I'm just I would tell her how I feel. and she's like, "Don't you remember?". So, she thinks I've been having it, but. I started noticing it, you know, more. recently. >> in the last years, three, four years. Was there a catalyst at all? A catalyst. moment? Something that happened that. caused you to feel that or. >> if I could link it to something, it was. I lost a big fight, came back home with. which fight? >> My second fight with Justin Gatechi.

>> Yeah. >> Lost that one, came back home, everything was good, and then it would. just I was really emotional, man. You. know, some days I would be fine, some. days I would be sad, and I was like, "Something's off, you know, something's. off." off. So that's when I started. going to therapy and trying to unpack. some of the stuff that I didn't even. know I was walking around with, you. know. >> Did you learn anything through the. process of therapy? I've been to. therapy, too. I've been I mean, >> still the day uh I got back from. Atlanta, I started going to therapy. again. >> after the airport incident. >> Yeah. Yeah. Right before I I went try to.

help my father, uh I went through a. therapy session. So I had kind of closed. the door on therapy when I started. feeling good again, you know? But then. I'm starting to realize like it's not. something that you just fix. It's. something you have to work on always. And you know, so and that's that's what. I'm trying to do, you know, since for. the last week I've been waking up early, reading some stuff, writing, doing. something hard in the morning, just. trying to do everything that I was doing. that made me feel better 3 years ago.

And I'm trying my best, man. Have you learned anything about yourself. through the process of therapy? Yeah, that maybe some some of the childhood. stuff I'm still carrying around. I don't. think about it, you know. It's not like. the first, you know, but. >> it's unconscious a lot of it. >> Right. Right. Right. But deep down I'm. still carrying things I think from my. childhood. And everybody, you know, I've. learned a lot through therapy. Everybody. deals with different emotions and. process things differently. And.

and I'm still going through it. You. know, I'm back in therapy now. I've I've been able to interview lots of. people and so I've interviewed like. psychologists, lots of them, so many. therapists I've interviewed. One of the. the things that I noticed which was. quite stark to me was that um young boys. in particular that grow up without a. stable father figure are much more. likely to be um have anger issues, be. depressed, struggle in life. But it's. actually the the data excuse more. towards young boys without that sort of. stable father figure. Um but also that. if you compound that with there being.

violence in the home from a young age. that's also another factor which. exacerbates the situation where so those. are sort of two of the things that stood. out to me was the absence of your father. also having a father or a parent that's. dealing with addiction. >> is another burden for so many reasons. So those three things are the things. that from your story and from you know I. I thought oh that's. >> those are um those are challenges that. are understandable to stay with you as a. as an adult. >> Yeah for sure. And then then you don't. even think about think about them at all.

throughout your whole life. And then you. sit down with somebody and start opening. things up and talking about things. You. see, well, maybe I could be, you know, this could be linked to different things. and I could be carrying stuff that isn't. mine to carry and and things like that. You know, as I'm growing up and being. more mature and talking and speaking to. with professionals and stuff, I'm. starting to unpack some of that. >> And was that difficult to do. >> therapy? >> Yeah. >> Yeah, man. Yeah. You know, it's. >> difficult to even say, isn't it? >> Right. And even at the beginning when I. first started doing interviews like. Ariel Hwani and stuff and I would bring. it up like I'm you know I'm working on.

myself I'm going to therapy. I it felt. weak in the moment like who am I? I'm. going through therapy. I'm telling the. world I'm going to therapy. But then I I. look at it hindsight. I'm like you know. what that's that's strength. I you know. especially in a tough guys sport. >> Mhm. >> You know we're fighting and bleeding and. beating each other up. Beating the best. guys up in the world. You know fighting. the best guys in the world. And I need. to go to therapy to unpack some stuff. It just it's crazy. The human mind is is. incredible. >> It's funny cuz we go to the gym, right? And we like work on our physical.

performance, but going to therapy is. that we got to hide that. >> And the gym was a part of therapy for. me. Fighting was a part of therapy, you. know, for me. And uh and I always always. was scared of that. You know, what am I. going to do to. to sabotage myself when I when I retire. from fighting because I don't have this. outlet anymore. You know, I've done it. for 20 years of fighting. I always had. somewhere to go, you know. I always had. to to get better at the gym, to to work. on fighting, to focus on something. Every day I could get up and push myself. to try to be better, to answer a new.

question, to do anything with fighting. to get better. on multiple levels, whether it's the. techniques or whether it's my my. physical fitness, anything. There was. always something to work on work on. always. And when I retired, I was kind. of worried about that, like how will. life look post fighting, you know? Um, I. was scared of it. I was scared of it. >> because I mean you've been fighting. since you were what 16 17. >> Yeah. >> And you're 37 now. So it's just over two.

decades that fighting has been your kind. of north star and your orientation. >> It was always there for me. Always there. for me. You know, no matter what was. going on, I could go to the gym and. drown out any noise in my brain. Any, you know, quiet that voice in your head. And I was scared to not have that. anymore. And I I still have it. I can. still go to the gym every day if I want, but it's not the same. You know, it. doesn't feel the same. >> It doesn't feel the same. >> Not being on the mats preparing to fight.

someone for your life and your family's. well-being in front of the world. If I'm. just training just to spin my wheels, it. doesn't feel I've done this my whole. life training. Still fun. I have fun. You know, we do whatever train, but it's. not It doesn't feel the same to me. anymore. >> because there's not a goal, a big goal. at the end of it to focus your being. >> Exactly. Hm. >> When you look through the last 20 years, you do you see fighting as a really. productive distraction in some respects. then? >> For me, yeah, for me 100%. >> Yeah. It was an outlet. It was something.

to focus on. It was something to try to. be the best at. It was It consumed me, man. It consumed me. Fighting was my. entire life. And now post fighting, it's. like separating myself. from the fighter is I'm I'm trying to. figure it out still. You know, a a buddy. of mine told me the other day, a wise. man told him, "If you're lucky, you die. twice. If a man's lucky, he gets to die. twice." And that's kind of what I'm. going through right now. Now, that that. makes sense to me. You know, that part. of me that every day wake up, push.

yourself to be the best fighter you can. be is dead. You know, I'm retired Dustin. now. I'm businessman Dustin. I'm father. I was I was a father before when I was. still fighting, but I have other things, other hats to wear. You know, it's just. I'm trying to figure it out. I'm trying to figure it all out. >> And it's only been 11 years. Not even a. year. Yeah. >> July 30th, wasn't it? Last year that you. retired. >> here in this in New Orleans. >> Do do they offer you any support with. that retirement process?

>> As far as. >> as far as giving you like a road map for. how to deal with the mental shift? >> No. >> There's no like sort of postfighting. program. >> No, there should be. For sure. There. should be, but no. because it's quite a. familiar story across sports, >> right? And that's what I was always when. I would see it happen, I knew I was. like, I'm never going to be that, you. know, I'm never going to be the guy that. goes and gets arrested or gets hooked on. drugs or blows all of his money and. just, you know, you see it over and over. and not just in fighting, in. professional sports, you know,

it's like you've done something so long. your whole life, so intense and so, you. know, it takes all of you. When it's. gone, it's like, what else can I do to. the maximum? What else? dopamine hit can. I get what can I just pour myself into. and go crazy on something you know and a. lot of times it's bad things dangerous. things you know you see it time and time. again and I always said I'll never be. that guy and I'm not you know I ran into. some trouble the other the other week. but I'm still making a lot of right. decisions you know what I mean I'm not.

that it just sucks to be at this point. to where I always saw those guys getting. arrested and doing stuff and I was like. man what an idiot what an idiot you know. but I wasn't going through it then I. didn't understand it. >> at that time And alcohol has been a a. constant through your childhood through. your career. >> for me drinking. >> Yeah. >> No, I mean I. >> when you were younger. >> celebrate when I was younger probably. every weekend you know but. >> as I became an adult and focused on. fighting I went years without drinking. >> Okay. And then even now, well, as I when.

I retired, it slowly became more and. more and more cuz I didn't not have, you. know, when I was in training camp, I. wasn't getting drunk and and drinking. like that. I had to wake up the next day. and run miles and be at the gym and make. a weight and I was really focused. >> Um, but when I retired, I didn't have to. anymore. So then it kind of started. slipping back in. And even when I was. fighting, you know, c celebrations, gatherings, I would drink. I would. drink, but it wasn't a weekly. It wasn't. a weekly or daily thing, but I've always.

had a bad relationship with alcohol. Like I've always. 90% of the times if I do drink, I'm. going to drink to be the best at. drinking. >> I'm going to drink more than everybody. You know, that's the danger. It it can. benefit you in other things that that. drive and that craziness. You know, you. can focus it on something and it'll. benefit you or it can hurt you. You. know, and that's that's the way I've. always been. So I as learning learning. myself over the years, I know, you know,

to be careful with alcohol and going. through mental things like I know. especially when I'm feeling the way I. felt that day to not touch it. But I. just. told that voice to shut up and I just. drank and did what I wanted to do, you. know, but I I know better. Um, as I got. gotten older, it's gotten better, you. know, but until recently, >> I sat here with um a lady called Dr. Anna LMK. She's like a dopamine expert. Uh, >> and I actually didn't really know until. she she sat here and explained it to me. that um, alcohol gives you a big hit of.

dopamine. >> Yeah. >> She also said to me that um, sort of. genetically, person to person, we all. have a different vice. So, for example, she said that she got addicted to erotic. novels. >> Now, another person would never get. addicted to that. Um, some people's vice. is alcohol. So, they they do what you. describe, which is they have one and. then it's just straight line up until. >> Right. Yeah. other people like they can. have one or two or three and it kind of. plateau and they stop and they go home. >> and I envy them. You know, I have my. wife is like that. One of my good. buddies is like that. They can have two.

drinks and be done. If I drink, we're. drinking till the bottles gone. You. know, that's. no matter how many times in my life I've. said it's going to be different this. time. It's going to be, you know, I'm. only going to have two. It It's never. never worked out. So, coming back home, talking to my wife and stuff, uh, I'm going to cut alcohol completely out. of my life. You know, I made that. decision. I'm not going to be like my. father or make another mistake like I. made in the airport. It's just it's not.

helping me in any way. You know, it. might be a quick release and a quick hit. of dopamine, but it's not benefiting me. in any way. So, I got to cut it off. Cut. it off from my life. >> It's not an easy thing to do. >> with socializing and things like that. It's it's it's tougher to to be the. sober one, but in everyday life, it's. it's not hard. >> for me. You know, I've I've never been. an alcoholic. I just have a bad. relationship if I do drink. >> So, cutting it out completely is, >> you know, not a big deal. >> So, so take me to that day then. You.

wake up, you go to you go to the. airport, you're flying to Atlanta. You're going you're going somewhere. Where are you going? >> Atlanta. I'm going to uh to South. Florida. It was actually a three-le. trip. I was supposed to go to South. Florida for a day that afternoon, fly. out, go to LA, >> shoot a commercial for 3 days from LA, Vegas, work for CBS. for the weekend, and then fly home. So, it was a three it. was a big trip.

>> Yeah, three leg trip. We didn't We didn't even get the first. leg. We didn't even get the first leg, man. >> There should be a button just down below. here. And if it says subscribed, you're. already subscribed. If it says. subscriber, that means you're not yet. And if you're not subscribed, please. could you do us a favor and hit that. button? It helps the show more than you. know. And according to the algorithm, you're someone that watches our show, but you haven't yet hit that button. Thank you so much. >> What happened? What the sequence of events? >> On my flight from Lafayette, Louisiana,

I drank two champagnes. Nothing crazy, you know. Just. um landed in Atlanta. I had a little bit. of a layover. Went to a bar, restaurant bar, started drinking champagne. Some guys came in, took some shots. One. thing led to another, go to my gate, get into it with the desk. agent. They call security, call the. police. >> Do you remember what you said to the. desk agent?

>> No. >> No. >> Did the police didn't tell you after? >> No. >> So, you didn't even get on the plane? >> No, I never got on the plane, I don't. believe. I'm pretty sure 90 90 90% sure. I never got on the plane. Um, and it. might have been that the desk agent. might have saw I was intoxicated and. it's like now we can't get on this plane. and that's might have what started it. I. don't know. But I do want to apologize. to those desk agents whoever they are. and the police for having to put up with. me man. They did it. I actually.

uh asked a lawyer in Atlanta who I've. been working with if he can please get. me that officer's information, his. address. I want to if I can write him a. letter, his cell phone, if I can call. him just to tell him how great of a job. he did, you know, dealing with a person. in that condition and how professional. he was and, you know, he's incredible. It could have been so much worse. It. could have been so much worse. I just. want to thank him. I didn't get to do. that. >> So, there's some kind of argument with.

the desk agents that you I'm guessing. you can't recall. >> No. >> And then they say you're not getting on. the flight. >> Yeah. And that leads to them calling. >> the police. >> The security or police. >> and the video we see is of the security. guy coming in. >> The police officer. Yeah. >> You've watched the video, right? >> No. So, my wife watched it. A buddy of. mine. I've kind of pieced it together at. this point. I don't want to see it, man. >> You don't want to see it? >> I don't want to see it. >> Okay. >> I don't want to see it. Even when my. wife started playing it and I heard it, she went watching the other room. And. then I have a buddy I work out with 5.

days a week. >> He's kind of between him and my wife, I've put the pieces together and pretty. pretty much know the the extent of what. happened. >> Why don't you want to watch it? >> I just don't want don't want to see it, man. >> Can you articulate why that is? uh to see myself in that condition, disrespecting police officers, disrespecting uh workers at the airport, disrespecting myself, disrespect my. family. I just don't feel like it's. going to benefit me to see that. If. anything, I think it's going to bring me.

down. It's going to I'm going to keep. thinking about it. Uh I I like I said, for the most part, understand what. happened, know what happened. I don't. need to see it again, you know. So, in that video, you you seem to get. aggressive quite quickly, and you you. offered this um gentleman a fight. Um he. kind of backs off. He knows who you are. clearly straight away. >> He backs off. What I find interesting. also is he pulls out his taser. He's. going to he says, you might tase you,

but as you walk away and you're. arrested, you dap him up and you you you. congratulate him on the job he did. >> Yeah. And my buddy was telling me that. >> he he was telling me like his my buddy's. wife thinks that's the best part of the. video. >> It's the best part because it's funny. because you're known as. >> Yeah. So I didn't watch the video at. all. >> Mhm. >> And I. every day passing I be able to piece a. little bit more together and memories. kind of, you know, flashes of what. happened are kind of playing in my head. But uh I I got home, deleted all my.

social. I posted that on Instagram. Then. I uninstalled all social media off my. phone. So I haven't since Father's or. the day after Father's Day. I haven't. been on anything. I haven't se I know. they're making fun. I know they're. talking about me. Obviously I've been in. the light with being a professional. athlete for a long time. I know how this. goes. Um so I just uninstalled all my. stuff. So I haven't seen any of the. clips, any of the videos, any of. anything, you know, besides what my wife. and my buddy are are telling me. >> Your buddy that you train with? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Well, it was it was uh it was.

interesting because you you seemed as. you walked away, you were quite polite. >> Yeah, that's what I I told him. I was. like, maybe I realized what was going. on, you know, maybe I had a aha moment. like what the hell is what am I doing, you know, in that drunken stuper. I. don't know. >> You said to him that he did a good job, >> right? Yeah. >> Which was quite nice, >> right? And I. looking back at it now. with what they're what they're telling. me and the way he handled it, he did a.

great job. You know, >> I need to thank him cuz like I said, it. could have been so much worse. What if. it was a young hotthead cop who wanted. to be a superstar? I wanted to, you. know, it could have been horrible. you. know, I could be sitting here facing. serious charges. and just to put my wife and my children. through that, you know, just, you know, it's not good. >> So, you went to jail that day? >> Yeah. >> You got charged with being drunken. disorderly or intoxicated? >> No, they charged me with uh public.

intoxication. >> Okay. And they let you go the same day. >> Yeah. I spent like a night spent the. night or the afternoon in jail until I. sobered up. Then they release you on probation or. something. >> I'm not on Well, >> what's it called? I don't know what the. laws are here. >> I haven't been to court and all that. stuff yet. So, they just know they on. bond. >> Okay. On bond. Okay. >> And that's when you go and you know. after then go and you do the therapy. session, you go and try and find your. father. >> Yeah. >> All these trips are canceled, I'm.

guessing, at that point. >> Yeah. >> You have to go home and speak to your. your wife. >> Right. Right. >> Can't be easy. It wasn't fun for sure, you know, to let her down. And. it's just been so long since I I don't. even know how to. address it really when I when I got. home. I I haven't been in trouble. I. haven't been arrested in so long, you. know, decades and decades. I don't I. don't even know when's the last time I. got arrested. This is the first time in. a in a very long time. But to go back and. my my partner who's been with me through.

everything and and has grown with me. through everything to go back and like. see her face to face. Yeah. I just keep apologizing and it'll. never happen again. >> If I'm a fly on the wall during that. conversation when you get home, what do. I observe? me telling her it'll never happen, never. happen again, and. her telling me it can't happen again,

you know. Um, yeah, man. Telling her that I'm going to focus on. myself and and be better from this. I. know it sucks right now in the moment, but this decision, this arrest, this. quit drinking for the rest of my life, it's going to benefit me and my kids in. the future. So, things happen, you. learn. Um, and that's just what it is.

You know, >> you met uh Jolie when you were 14 years. old. >> Younger. >> Younger. Really? >> Yeah. 14 is is like a freshman in high. school. >> Mhm. We were dating. uh in middle school. >> and in many respects she's really um she. sacrificed quite a lot for your a loter. >> A lot. She dropped out of college and. moved me to South Florida. uh for me to chase my dreams. >> Cuz she was going to nursing school,

wasn't she? >> Yeah. Yeah. And I honestly don't think I would have. made it to the point I made it to in in. fighting if I didn't have an anchor like. that at home. You know, man, she been my best friend for a long. time. Yeah. sort of go home after getting.

arrested and speaking to her and like. not only did I let myself down, but I. have a family, you know, I have kids. Uh. I let my family down, man. That's what. hurts. >> This is another beautiful photo. >> Yeah, >> the gang. >> That's them. Yeah, man. I let them down. Let myself. down. But like I said, I'm going to learn from this and. continue pushing forward and it will. never happen again. Um, it's going to.

affect the trajectory of my whole life. This one this one arrest, you know. My. my son and my daughter is never going to. grow up and see me intoxicated. They're. never going to see me say things or do. things I don't mean to do or mean to. say, you know. So, like I said, it. sucks, man. It's it's bad. Um, but it's. going to benefit me and my family in the. long run. So, it's just something that. had to happen, I guess. >> So, she did she know what had happened. before you got back from jail.

>> Had she seen videos or. >> No, no, no, no, >> she hadn't. >> No. Well, the police officer called her. >> when I was in the in the holding cell. and stuff. So, yeah, she knew what was. going on. She didn't know in the moment. if she probably knew a couple hours. after, you know, once they booked me and. all that. I've got 60 seconds and I'm going to. show you how much I can get done because. of our sponsor called Whisper Flow. And. for those of you that don't know what it. is, it's a business I invested in that. turns your speech into text in any app.

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see my inrange results, my out of range. results, and there's a little AI. function, too. So, if I have any. questions about my out of range results, I can just go in there and ask it any. question I want. And these tests are. backed by doctors and thousands of hours. of research. >> It's $365 for a yearly membership. Go to. functionhealth.com/doac. and use the code DOAC25. for $25 off your membership. What's interesting is um. you know we've seen these kind of. incidents happen before but I've I've.

never seen such a large amount of people. understand you would expect the reaction. to be from the general public from. fighters from people at large to be oh. my god this is a bad person but I think. because you've conducted yourself in a. certain way throughout your career that. wasn't the sentiment. >> I'm not seeing what people are saying. >> it wasn't the sentiment I can tell you. it was it was crazy I was like I was. saying it to my fiance I was saying Like. the reason why the sentiment has been. he's going through some things and this.

is a good man is because a you've. conducted yourself so well throughout. your career. You've had good values in. victory and in and in loss. But also I. think because you've actually spoken. about some of these struggles publicly. >> I've never bit my tongue. I've always. been open, you know, about what I'm. going through. When I was able to. pinpoint and talk about what I was going. through when I didn't know, I couldn't. speak on it. But as I got older and. started doing therapy, I'm able to speak. on it. And. >> yeah, I am going through things at some. some days, you know.

>> Um, >> well, that's what I'd say to you is, you. know, you've not looked at the internet, but the internet has been heavily. supportive of you. >> And, you know, my I think a lot of that. probably is longtime fight fans and. people who've been following my career a. long time. You know, I grew up in. fighting, so people got to watch me from. a kid, you know, grow up. So they they know my character. for the most part. It was a bad day. It. wasn't, you know, it's not a bad life. I. had I I messed up. I had a really bad. day. >> where I was angry at the world and. obviously alcohol doesn't doesn't help.

that. And uh I really messed up. But. people have seen me year after year and. I I mean well and I really mean it and I. think they they know it's authentic and. >> but I am just a human being and I make. mistakes. So, I think those fans, if. people are sticking up for me, it's. because they they know it's Dustin. Like, I'm going to he's going to shake. back or he's going to, you know, turn. this into a positive somehow. And that's. my goal, you know. I don't want to let. anybody else out there down. I'm trying. my best. You know, I I have to take care. of myself first. And I'm doing that the.

right steps. And that's that's just it. I think the people who are standing up. for me. have watched me grow up, you know. Well, dare I say, I think that was the. majority of the sentiment was that this. is a good a good man who's who's. struggling and it was people sending. sympathy because because of that, but. also because there's a couple of clips. that went viral online of you speaking. on both Theon's show and Joe Rogan's. show. And so, in the in the in the wake.

of, you know, this clip going viral of. you in the airport, these other clips go. viral with them, which is. >> Oh, you haven't seen it? Okay. Okay. I. mean, obviously I did the I did the. interviews or whatever you're talking. about, so I said it. So, I'm sure if you. showed it, I would remember, but I. haven't seen what people are talking. about. >> Well, this clip went viral at the same. time. And this is what gave it context. >> Have to. Yeah. >> You just There's no If you get. complacent or if you Why. >> I'm like a It's honestly, bro, I'm a. danger to myself when I'm have nothing. No goal circled on my calendar. I'm a. danger to myself, man.

>> Yeah. >> Yeah. I beat I beat myself up mentally. I I'm home. I drink. I'm It's just not. good. I have to have some kind of. battle. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> H And I've always been like that. But. like as I'm getting older, I'm kind of. recognizing. >> Oh, you can see it more. >> Yeah. So, I kind of set set goals. So, I. >> So, that clip went viral and there was a. a clip just like it um of you on Dur. Rogan, which is you saying almost. identically the same thing. >> which also went viral with it. >> So, this gave everybody context. >> And so, you see that and you go, "Okay,

we understand." And I think we're now, you know, we're old enough, mature. enough to understand that once a pro. alete leaves the high octane, high. adrenaline sport like UFC that your. brain has changed. >> for sure. >> And not least because of the dopamine, but also, you know, there's other. reasons why there's there's head. injuries are quite prevalent in the. sport. So there was a huge amount of. sympathy. I just wanted you to know that. cuz I know you've not seen it but. >> but I mean I still feel horrible but it. you know and not even using fighting or.

head trauma or my homeless father or any. of that stuff as an excuse. I just want. to say that like I did these things. I. know better. I know right and wrong. I. don't want to lean on these as a crutch. of of my actions. You know what I mean? And the other the other clip that went, just so you know, just so because these. this is you and Joe Rogan talking about. similar thing. >> Want to show what I was talking about. It's like a gift and a curse, man. It's. like you have to be all in at something. Those kind of people who are built like.

that. >> Whether it's fighting or drinking or. whether it's good or bad, you're going. all in. It's dangerous. >> The problem. Yeah. The problem is like. what you see with Connor, when they. don't have the fighting, then they go. all in with the other things. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Right. Fighting was always for me always. pulled everything together, you know. >> That's why like retiring is scary, man. Days are long. I have a lot of time. It's I don't have to get ready for a. fight. I don't, you know, >> you're still a young man, too. You still. have a whole lot of life ahead of you. I'm. >> 37, man. >> Yeah. So, it makes you think like, what.

do I do now? What do I do with my. future? What do I do? What do you want. to do? >> Dude, I kind of got like for a week or. so, I would say depressed, but I kind of. got into like a funk like what the hell. am I going to do with my life? Every day. I would wake up for the last 20 years, how can I be better fighter? How can I. what's new in fitness? How can I push. myself? I want to be the champion. And. then boom, you lay the gloves down and. you wake up and you're a. civilian. >> And that's meant that you, you know, some of your your fellow fellow peers. like Jon Jones have come out and said. some really nice things and other. fighters have come out and said some. really nice things and sent their. support and, you know, well wishes.

>> I appreciate it. I'm I'm working on. myself. I'm trying my best. >> Were you aware that John Jones had had. done a post and stuff? My buddy Kyle. said, the guy who I work out with every. day I was talking about, he told me that. Jon Jones came out and said something. and it was positive. >> He said, uh, Matt Brown as well, a. former fighter did a video. He said it. was really nice and stuff. And I'm sure. I'll see some of that stuff. I don't. want to like you relive the moment that. much. I don't want to keep like diving. back, but when I do get back on social.

media or do start watching videos and. stuff again, I'm sure I'm going to see. some of it, you know? you know, and I. appreciate everybody, but. I'm I just. it feels weird to, you know, I'm I'm not. looking for for that for sympathy or for. to make this okay. It's not okay, you. know. >> You know, it's not. But I I think the. reason I'm sort of really keen to tell. you is once upon a time we didn't really. understand mental health and so people.

were thought to be crazy or whatever. when they acted out of character but I. think the world has gotten to such a. place now where we we think about. context a bit more. >> and this was really it was really nice. to see for me um having done a little. bit of background research as well to. see that people's first reaction wasn't. just to villainize somebody it was to. understand people actually went, "Oh, no. This is someone struggling with. their mental health. It's not a bad. person. It's a bad mental health. situation." Um, which I've actually not.

really seen before, which was, as I say, it was really nice. But I know you I. know what you're saying. You're saying. you don't want to blame anything, right? I don't want to blame anything or have a. crutch to lean on about my actions, about what happened. You know, I did it. you know, I'm not not blaming it on. mental health or anything like that, even though I'm focusing on that now. You know, I I did I. did that. I decided to drink that day. when I wasn't feeling well. It's it's. all on me. >> So, is it kind of a bit of a roller.

coaster in your world post fighting in. terms of your mental health? Is it ups. and downs and ups and downs? >> Yeah, big time. >> And what is the. >> Some days I wake up and I feel like I. made the right decision, you know? Uh, I. need to be home. I need to be doing. things around the house. I need to be. here every day with my kids making the. breakfast. And then some days I wake up. and I'm like, "What the am I doing? I can beat all these guys still, you. know? I can still beat these guys, but I. don't know if that ever leaves. I might.

be 60-year-old having coffee one day. saying the same thing. I can beat these. guys. I don't know if that's just a. competitive spirit. I don't know if. that's just fighting your whole life. I. don't I don't know. But I these top guys. that are winning now and and fighting. now on these upcoming cards, I can I can. beat them still. I know I can. And then I wake up the. next day and I'm like, "Ah, good thing I. don't have to fight these guys anymore.". Then the next day it's like, I can I can.

be the world champion. You know, it's. it's just up and down every day. And how does your your mental health. sort of correlate to those ups and those. um thoughts? >> Even though I have those days where I. want to fight and think I made the right. decision, my mental health has been. pretty even. You know, up until. recently, I I haven't been worried about. myself or having to. go to my journal and sit in the morning. and have coffee like I've been doing. this last week, you know. But I when I.

do start feeling 100% normal, okay. again, I need to continue to do those. things, you know? I can't I can't. stop because I feel good. It's it's a. constant. It something's going on with. my brain. Like I have to practice these. these things every day. And now being. removed from the incident, removed from. my three years ago when I felt really. bad and I was in the dark place, I'm. realizing that like it's it's not a. Eureka moment where you're fixed. You.

got to this is everyday work for the. rest of your life most likely. I'm. pretty sure. >> Was it just the last week or was it you. said in recent times? >> In recent times that was like the. the boiling point on Father's Day. Um, but there's been days. Yeah. There's. been days where I've not expressed to my. wife how I'm feeling and I was feeling. down or. >> the last two months. >> Couple few months. Yeah. There's good. days, bad days, you know, >> where you haven't expressed to your wife. how you're feeling. >> Yeah. Some days I will tell her, but.

some days I I don't, you know, I just. continue to go along my day and, you. know, so I don't want to be that guy to. where I wake up and my wife's worried. about how I'm feeling that day. wake, you know, I don't want her worrying. about me like that. I wonder who who's. waking up today is is depressed is upset. Dustin waking up today or is this my. normal husband I'm waking up to? I don't. want to worry her. So some days, you. know, if I'm feeling really bad, which. hasn't been that often lately, I'll tell. her I'm, you know, today I'm not feeling.

that well. I don't want my daughter. coming in the in the bedroom, you know, why is that staying in bed all day? You. know, I don't want to tell her again. that I'm not feeling good today. You. know, she doesn't understand. and I have. a she's about to be 10 years old. She. she can't comprehend what's going on. I. can barely comprehend it, you know. So, to keep them more on a steady day-to-day. thing, if if it's just slightly I'm kind. of feeling a little bit off today, I. just suck it up and go about,

you know, my business. >> But there will be days where you you. stay in bed all day. >> There has been. Yeah. And you try and sort of avoid the. conversation with like your daughter. >> Yeah. >> It's not It's not often, but it happens. Yeah. >> Do you find that if you don't talk about. it, it kind of comes out in other ways? Cuz I. >> Well, you battle it up so long until it. finds a way out, you know? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Which kind of brings us to the airport. incident, I guess. >> Could could be. >> to some degree, >> right? But even the airport incident,

those days leading up, even if I did. have an off day, uh I didn't feel like. it was that that bad, that serious, that. dangerous to myself or anybody else, you. know? I really didn't feel like that. >> It's an interesting thing. I've I've. often actually contended with when I'm. having like bad moments, do I tell my. partner so I can really relate to the. feeling? Cuz in part, I think as a as a. man sometimes you want to be you have it. within you that you need to be strong. and steady. Especially with like my.

fiance, I'm like I have to be strong and. steady. So if I'm having a bad day or. whatever, I I feel like I have to keep. it to myself. But then it always finds a. way out and it hurts her like it will. hurt the relationship. >> So actually I think with with age I've. gone actually to avoid all problems be. honest as fast as you can. >> Right. Yeah. Honesty is always the best. >> It's always the best. Is that kind of. how you feel as well with it or is it a. similar? I mean, >> for the most part, I I am really open. and honest, but like if I'm just kind of.

feeling off and it's for me to I know. you don't understand what that what that. means or maybe you have something you. can link it to when you feel kind of. just like today's not. >> not my day. If I'm feeling off, I'll let. her know. I've been pretty honest. But. like I said, if it's just slight like. I'm just not feeling right, I won't if. it's slight, I won't I won't even bring. it up. I got to be a dad and continue to. do things every day and stuff like that. But if I'm feeling really down to where. I don't even want to leave the house at. all and stuff, you know, I'll let my. wife know. >> On this point of purpose, when you were.

talking to Thea and Joe, it was you were. saying that, you know, the purpose you. had for 20 years has now gone. So in its. place, you kind of need to find. something else. You need to figure out. what what's in its place. How are you. thinking about that today? >> I retired at 36 years old. That's young. to, you know, like I said, the days are. long. I have all day every day to I need. to stay busy and that's what I have been. doing, you know, working with CBS, working with uh the podcast we have down. in South Florida every Monday. I've just.

been trying to saying yes to as much. stuff as I can. So, I'm don't have time. to sit back and think. And that could. have been my demise as well. Maybe I was. being too busy. Maybe I wasn't focusing. on my mental health and myself as much. You know, it's easy to get lost in these. whirlwinds of busy and be here, be. there. You know, life just moves so fast. sometimes. Do you have a plan for for for what you. want to commit yourself to? You're 37. now, right? >> So, I mean, you got another 50 50 years. ahead of you to to climb other mountains. potentially,

>> right? No, I don't have anything locked. like locked down what I'm going to do. exactly what I'm going to focus. everything on, but I need to find. something, man. >> Has there ever been anything that. compared? >> No, nothing ever will nothing. I have a. void inside of me that nothing will, you. know, being a father is very fulfilling. and and I love it and it it's it's. rewarding and I actually enjoy it, but. nothing fills that void of what fighting. was in my life. You know, I haven't. found anything yet. I don't think there.

is. >> You don't think there is? I just don't. know what's going to consume me and take. all of myself the way fighting did. You. know, I woke up thinking about it. I. went to sleep thinking about it. I It. was my life, man. I cared so much about it, man. I was in. love with it. >> You can still play a role in the. industry though. No. >> Yeah. And that's what And that's what I.

thought I was, you know, was a good. avenue. That's what I was trying to do. That was my goal after fighting is I. want to stick around the sport. whether I'm on the desk broadcast or. with the podcast. Anything pertaining to. the sport where I can talk about it, you. know, be around the sport that's given. me everything I have and taught me so. many lessons in life. I I just want to. be around it speaking about it, be on. the mats, helping younger fighters, whatever, you know, and I was doing and. I was doing that when I retired, you. know. >> I'm still doing it.

>> But it's not the It's not the same. >> No. >> How does it compare as a percentage? Is. it 20% the way there, 50% the way there? Or. >> probably closer to 20. It's not It's not. even 50. No. >> Have you spoken to other fighters who. have expressed the exact same sentiment. that like fighting was the the Mount. Everest for me and I don't know what to. do next? >> Not really to that to that exact point, but other fighters have reached out and. said, "Hey, you know, I'm I'm all ears. if you ever want to talk about it." But.

I went through it as well. You know, laying the gloves down isn't as easy as. you think. You know, people who I look. up to you have reached out to me and and. uh I never took anybody up on it. You. know, I've never started speaking to. other fighters about what they do to get. past and I should, you know, it's all. it's my my doing, you know, >> cuz it's not it's not a new problem, is. it? >> No, this is. >> everyone but lots of people have. expressed, >> right? And it's not just a new problem. with fighting. It's a new problem, I. think, with a lot of athletes, you know, who've done it for a long time and. reached the pinnacle. and you know when.

it's over. you know you have a lot of life left to. live. >> I've heard similar sentiments expressed. from some of my friends that were in the. military and then left the military 36. 37 years old and it's like that was. their Everest that was also the. camaraderie that they had being in camp. and uh being in in on base and stuff. like that and going away being deployed. and then they come back and they're a. civilian all of a sudden. Right. >> It's difficult. >> Yeah, man. But that's life. Life's. difficult you know. just. got to figure something else out, you.

know, got to figure solve a new puzzle. It's just life keeps going. >> You were going off to work when you were. caught up in this airport incident. >> Yeah. >> How are you thinking about work. prospects and stuff like that. considering all that swirling around at. the moment and all these things? >> Worried about losing everything I've. been working on, you know, that. is a possibility as well, you know. um. like post fighting when I retired, all. the stuff that I've been doing, all the.

the desk work that me focusing on. getting better at all that stuff. I'm. like, did I just ruin everything that I. that I was working for, you know? I. don't know yet. It's still too too early to really have. those answers, I think. >> Have you got like sponsors and stuff. like that, or is it just your partners. where you do guest work and podcasts and. stuff like that? >> No, I have a bunch of sponsors. >> Yeah. and they've been understanding. >> It's kind of murky right now. I think. it's still too fresh. I know uh one big. one isn't a sponsor anymore.

>> Oh, you lost a sponsor. >> Oh, yeah. I'm I'm sure I lost a few. I'm. waiting to see when the smoke clears. who's still with me or not. That day. cost me not only embarrassment and. embarrassment to my family, uh it cost. me a lot of money, too. you know, I'm I'm losing sponsors. I'm losing gigs. and losing things that I had set up. You. know, >> you're losing gigs you had set up in the. future as well. >> Well, we'll see. Obviously, the gigs, the three things I. was supposed to do that that week.

are are gone. And then a big sponsor of. mine is gone because of it. >> And of the um of the comm the. professional commitments you have coming. up, what are those kinds of things that. you have? I know you um you said in an. interview that I watched that you'd. reached out to was it Paramount? >> Oh, I worked with Paramount. >> Yeah, work with them. But you'd reached. out to them to say, "Listen, I want to. sharpen my skills. >> as a commentator, >> as a desk analyst.". >> Des desk analyst. And so you'd reached. out to them post, you know,

postretirement because you wanted to get. more and more into that. I just thought. it was really cool that you proactively. reached out to them and said, "Listen, I'm here.". >> Yeah. If you guys think that I would be. a good fit anywhere on a broadcast or. anything, I would love to. talk about fighting and talk about this. sport as it continues to grow with what. I've learned through the two decades of. doing it. You know, if I can be a voice. in this area, please let me do it. And. and they did, you know, and I told them. like, I'm coachable. I don't have no.

hard feelings. Like, if I'm doing. something wrong, please let me know. I'm. very, you know, because a lot of these. other people who work the desk come from. a media background or things like that. Of course, we have a lot of fighters, but who work the desk, but a lot of. these other people might not take. criticism and coaching as well as. somebody who's been coached their whole. life. So, I'm letting them know like if. if there's something I'm doing that is. not the right etiquette, it's not if I. if I can do something better, please let. me know. Coach me. I'm not it's no. judgment. You're never going to rub me. the wrong way. Please let me know. I. want to be good at this. That's what I.

was trying to let them know. >> Well, it's cool. It's cool because a lot. of people, they they come in with a lot. of ego. um especially if they've been at. the the the peak of their powers in one. profession. >> Yeah. >> They kind of don't want to humble. themselves enough to be. >> a whole new thing for me. You know, >> talking on TV and talking about fights. and and things like that is a whole new. thing. So, I wanted to learn as much as. I can. >> And you have a contract with them? >> Yeah, I did. We'll see. >> Oh, you're worried that it might not be. >> It could be. Yeah. >> I guess when something like. >> I had a year contract with with.

Paramount CBS to work the the desks for. the fights. Okay. Well, I hope they all. stick with you. >> We'll see. I think on the in a few weeks. I'm back on the podcast. So, I know. they're bringing me back to the Monday. podcast. We talk about fights every. Monday. In two weeks, I'll be back on. that. And so, we'll see if that. continues. You know, >> you you know, the other thing is you are. you are young. You're 37. I'm 33. And uh. >> you're young. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's how I can I can. almost relate would be like if my career. was was wrapping up in a couple of.

years. Like my main, you know, but I'm. in the I guess my career is business. So. I can kind of do that forever. >> Well, for sure. >> But if I if I had to if I'd spent the. last 20 years of my life I've spent the. last 15 years of my life building. businesses. So if I wrapped up in a. couple years time and I had to change. profession and I couldn't do what I've. done for the last 20 years anymore. >> Gosh, that's what athletes go through. >> for sure. They climb the mountain and. then aging happens and they get older. like we all do and then they have to. say, "Right, brand new mountain." That.

doesn't happen to most people in most. care. You kind of just keep climbing. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> True. I never thought about it comparing. it to other other uh careers. >> Do you enjoy the the desk work? >> I really do, man. >> Yeah. >> That's why I'm scared to lose it, too, cuz I I really enjoy being connected to. the sport. You know, this sport has, like I said, given me everything I have. Me and my family, everything we have is. through fighting. Just like Jon Jones, where marginal. improvements in your cognitive. performance can have a massive impact, sometimes I podcast for 10 hours a day. Over the last couple of weeks, I've been.

in filming for a TV show and then I have. like one or two days off to get all of. my work done, which means there's lots. of cognitive load. And so I turned to. ketones because I find myself more. articulate, able to think more clearly, able to work out better when I'm fueled. by ketones. And so the reason I became a. co-owner of this company and the reason. why they now are a sponsor of this. podcast is because I remember one of my. team members called Cristiana, she tried. it once and came up to my desk and she. goes, "This is the best product ever. made." And I think in part that's. because she really cares about those. cognitive benefits as I do, as Jon Jones.

does, and as I think most of my. listeners probably will. So if you. haven't tried these yet, all you have to. do is go to ketone.com/stephven. and you'll also get 30% off your first. subscription order. you'll get exclusive. Ketone IQ merch and of course cognitive. benefits that might just change your. life. If there's anything we need, it is. connection, especially in the world. we're living in today. And that is. exactly why we created these. conversation cards. Because on this. show, when I sit here with my guests and. have those deep, intimate conversations,

this remarkable thing happens time and. time again. We feel deeply connected to. each other. At the end of every episode, the guest I'm interviewing leaves a. question for the next guest, and we've. turned them into these conversation. cards. And we've added these twist cards. to make your conversations even more. interesting. And there are so many more. twists along the way with the. conversation cards. This is the brand. new edition. And for the first time. ever, I've added to the pack this gold. card, which is an exclusive question. from me. But I'm only putting the gold.

cards in the first run of conversation. cards. So, get yours now before the. limited edition gold cards are all gone. Head to the link in the description. below. >> And this is obviously a bit of a. personal question, but it gives useful. context. Is at 37 years old, you're. thinking as a man, you know, I've got to. provide for my family for for the next. 30 40 years potentially. Are you are you. set up sufficiently? Cuz there's a lot. of talk around fighters not getting paid. that much in the UFC as well. >> I mean, uh the career I've had. >> Yeah. >> I don't have to work another day of my.

life. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> Oh, congratulations. Well done. Because. a lot of people also they go out and. they, you know, we hear the stories of. buying a little too many watches or. gambling or whatever it might be. >> I need to stop gambling. That's what I. need. I told my wife the other day, she. was like, >> she's like, I just paid some bills. I. saw you made another deposit to the. gambling thing. I was like, I can't cold. turkey everything. Give me one. Let's go. one thing at a time. One thing, gambling's a couple steps up on the. list. I got some other things I need to. stop doing first. Well, if you can take.

care of yourself the rest of your life, then you know, all good, right? To to. have fun still, >> right? Right. Yeah. >> So, a lot of a lot of pe a lot of. fighters, a lot of people generally. can't say that when they leave. >> But I've always, you know, I have a few. businesses in in Louisiana and. elsewhere. I've always planted seeds my. whole my whole life, you know. I started. investing when I was 23 years old, you. know, before I was even making real real. money. I was investing what little I. had. I always planted these seeds cuz I. I knew I couldn't fight forever. it was. going to end any any, you know, I could.

have get in a car accident and never. fight again. It could end any day with. fighting. I knew that. So, I've always. planted seeds to try to have my future. taken care of, you know, always since a. young age. >> Smile. >> Actually, when I was like 18, 19, I told. my wife, I'm not I'm not going to fight. past 35 years old. And I almost hit that. mark. I was too young to at the time. when I told her that, >> too young to see the, you know, full. picture and know how my career was going. to play out. what 36 I I hung it up. But.

I told her from a very young age, 35, I. lived half my life and I have a whole. another life to live. At 35, I can go to. college. I can go I can do do be. whatever I want to be. I have a whole. another life to live. So I kind of. always. angled at 35. to pivot. >> And that was the moment. >> Yeah, man. >> That's the moment where you were tired. >> Oh, yeah. >> How does it feel looking at that photo, >> man? And these are my brothers in this. picture, man. >> I can see the emotion in your faces.

>> Yeah, my mother's back there. And I. mean, this is my family. You know, all these guys are my family members. It a special day. And I got to do it in Louisiana. You. know, it meant a lot to me. It really. meant a lot to me. Well, Yeah, man. I was just a kid chasing. dreams and it just flew by so quick.

And I I guess that's a part of me that's. I scared for the future is. I don't I. don't know, you know, for 20 years I was dreaming. about being the best. I just want to. dream again, you know. I don't know what. that dream will be. I just need that in. my life, whatever that is. Yeah, special day, man.

>> So many emotions in your face as you. look at that photo. >> Yeah, I'm trying not to tear up, dude. >> How come? >> Because it just makes me feel that way, you know, cuz I still love it. But I know I need. to walk away from it, you know, continue. walking away from it. But I still love. it. And like I told you, it's like a. piece of me. Like those gloves, me putting them on.

the mat is a piece of myself I left, you. know? I I really truly believe that. You know, I was a kid when I started. this. the fight life.

You know, it it taught me how to be a. man. It taught me how to do business. It. taught me a lot of things about myself. I didn't go to school. Fighting was my. my education, you know. traveled the world and met people and. sat at tables I would have never dreamed. of be you know sitting at and through. fighting uh it was just incredible. journey. you know uh but if I can go back in time.

to when I was a kid 16 17 if I could do. it again I would do it again even. knowing everything that what could be. what damage I could take I would do it. again that's how fun the ride. But nobody rides for free, you know. That's why I'm saying I would do it. again. The the damage, the ups and. downs, the unknown, nobody rides for. free. Whether you're working clocking in.

at a job, working in an office for the. your whole life, you know, or you're. fighting men all over the world, uh. we're exchanging something, you know, for something. So, I would do it again. I'm just glad I got to do it here in. Louisiana. You know, where it all. started. You know, that was special to me.

>> because UFC doesn't come here often to. Louisiana. The time that came before my retirement. was back in 2015 and I fought on that on. that one as well. To get him to come. back here just for my retirement was a. big deal. And I'm proud of that. I'm proud of. bringing it back to the city. you know. >> Mhm. >> I have a game room at my house and I. have this the UFC actually sent me a. retirement p big picture frame with uh.

my wife, my daughter, their name was on. the canvas for this fight and I didn't. even know. >> the UFC printed their names on the on. the canvas of the octagon. >> So, they cut them out of the thing and. they have them framed in a in a nice uh. shadow box with pictures from the fight. and their names and stuff. That was that. was really nice, man. And so I have this. picture hanging on my wall in my game. room in my house. I got actually I need to call Mike. This. guy here and this Mike Brown. I need to.

call him back. He tried to call me and. he's been texting me the last few days. I need to call him back. Let him know. I'm good, you know. >> Mhm. >> I've been silencing every call, you. know, not just want to talk to people. since Father's Day, but I need to start. I need to reach back out. There's a lot in your head, isn't there? That photo seems to have teleported you. back, you know. >> I'm just thinking thinking about that. night. thinking about the guys in the picture,

seeing my mom in the background, you. know, my friends. It was just incredible. night. And it hurts me a little bit like to to. be sitting here talking about getting. arrested last week. Like it feels like. such a fall from grace, you know, looking at this picture like I was on. top of the world. In this moment, I felt like I did it all the right way, you know, even had the UFC uh place in IRA. I did. it my way when I was walking out the.

octagon that that night. And uh you. know, just. it's life. That's life. >> That's life. It's life. is part of the um part of the. hero's journey is the the ups, the. downs, the redemptions, the all of it. and everything you teach. You know, it's. funny cuz when I think about your. earliest context, it was in my object. subjective view difficult. It was a real. challenge. You got a father that's an.

alcoholic, the violence in the home, growing up in a you know, in a. workingass area and you rose from there. and look what happened. >> Yeah, it was beautiful. >> And then look at. >> I'm proud of it. And then the roller. coasters go down too. And that's why. they they're so good when they go the. opposite way and such. And. >> and so this is just an for me this is. maybe just the platform of your next. era, >> you know, >> for sure. Whatever that is, I'm I'm here. for it. But man, I'm just learning and. living, you know, and trying my best.

just like everyone else. It's incredible though what you've. proven that you can do, you know, from. >> I I. honestly. no BS look you in the eyes like I feel. like anything I set my mind to I can I. can accomplish. I can make it happen. >> Look what you've done that. >> Yeah. >> You don't need to look me in the eyes. and no BS me. You've you've done. something that you know. very few men could ever ever accomplish, especially considering where you came. from. So, I think I am quite excited to.

see what you set your mind to next. because if that's what you're able to. accomplish by 35 years old or something, God only knows what you could do with. the next two decades of your life if you. aimed all that energy at a equally. terrifying goal. >> I would love to. That's what I need. Something terrifying. I need something. like that. Something that. >> I can't stop thinking about. >> Mhm. >> You know, >> and you've got the mentality that few. have, right? like to have accomplished. this, you've got something the core.

components to be a wildly successful as. you say with whatever you put your mind. to. So, >> well, I'm not scared to work for it, >> you know. >> At this moment in this photo, were your. family encouraging you to hang up the. gloves? >> My wife was. >> Yeah. >> Nobody else in my family. No. >> How come? >> She was pregnant. She was uh a couple. months away from giving a few months. away from giving birth to my son. Um I. had been doing it for a long time. we just kind of both knew it was about.

the time, you know. >> You said you were scared because of the. the void of purpose that would be in. your life um thereafter, but I've also. heard you say you're scared of like the. the brain injuries that fighters often. get in the wake of any sort of contact. sport. >> I had the the great privilege um of. interviewing arguably the world's leader. on CTE. Mhm. >> And for people that don't know, um, CTE. is a progressive brain disease caused by. repeated head trauma leading to abnormal.

protein builds up which lead to brain. decline. Older adults with a history of. traumatic brain injuries have a 230%. greater risk of developing um, Alzheimer's than those without. Um, and. 61% of UFC fighters stated they worry. about potential long-term brain damage. with with a good percentage about 21%. noticing differences in their brain. function after their fighting career. And lastly, a 2023 study found that more. than 40% of brains from contact sport. players who died before the age of 30. had CTE.

I I I think I heard you say that you. were concerned about. brain damage or brain trauma from from. fighting. >> Yeah. Part of me laying the gloves down, like I said, for my wife wanting me to. was because she was kind of. worried about my behavior a few years. back and I I went to a neurologist and. did a scan with contrast where they put. the die in your brain in your veins and. do all that stuff and I have I had some. uh you know changes in my brain but we. don't have a passport of.

>> before. >> or throughout the process you know we. just have a a snapshot of right now of. my brain But yeah, the doctor, the. neurologist told me that, you know, it. has to be posorous. You can't, you put a. chemical on the brain, it releases a. protein. You know, if you So, we won't know until I pass away. And. they. study my brain if I if I have it or not. But the doctor was telling me like, you. know, looking at the things you have. going on, like I can't say you have it, but.

>> your wife was noticing different. behavior. >> Yeah. just like emotional and. >> it's it's not a conversation people have. a lot about CTU. I actually I only. learned about it about a year ago when I. interviewed this person and I couldn't. believe it. >> I couldn't believe that um athletes that. are doing contact sports, kids that are. doing American football. >> are um. >> and not only fighting, I played football. all my youth, you know, as well. >> So, I'm sure my head's been rattled a.

good bit. I have a brain scan here which. is really for the listeners at home to. show them what what advanced CTE looks. like on the brain but it is these kind. of like plaques that kind of build up in. the brain from contact head injuries and. what the symptoms of that are often. mental health disorders. They are um and. there's a spectrum addictions also sort. of associated with CTE. People sometimes. see boxes for example slurring their. words and such and that's also within. the sort of so same family and category. of CTE. >> Yeah. But but but as you say, it's not. something you know when you're alive and.

they have to post obviously look at your. brain and check if you h if you have it. And what did the neurologist say that it. was a little bit abnormal? >> I have uh scarring and stuff. Uh I'd. have to pull out my phone and find the. exact terminology for the parts of the. brain. I don't know. You know, I have a. thinning in the back of my brain. >> at at whatever part. And I have a you. have a septum in your brain like your. nose. >> Yeah. And um my se septum is is. splitting a separated a good bit and. that the neurologist thinks my left and.

right side aren't communicating as. smoothly as they should because of the. separation. >> and they suspect that that's to do with. head trauma. >> I mean we don't we don't know. >> Do you feel different? And it's a. strange question to ask, but have you. noticed any difference in in your. yourself other than, you know, the. differences one would experience when. they left a job that was that. significant? >> No. Uh, besides like ups and downs with. mood and stuff like that, that's one of. the the things I kind of notice. Uh, and.

all being honest, like spontaneous. decisions, I I notice like if I'm like, "Fuck it. I'll just put $5,000 on this. bet right now." like just I wouldn't. normally do that. I I feel like but. maybe it's just who I am now. I don't. know. Or saying it, I'm going to. get drunk as I can right now in the. airport just you know I feel like that. is like spontaneous decision- making. >> Uh that I wouldn't normally do, I think.

But maybe I would. I don't know. >> If we're talking about brain trauma and. like decisions I made or ways I feel, I'm sure I can draw links to all kinds. of stuff. you know, I don't even know if. it would make sense or would would be. correct. You know, when you're. scrambling for answers, it's easy to. like draw lines and say, "Well, this is. because of that. This is because of. that." You know, I feel I feel normal. besides ups and down days and stuff like. that. I feel. >> I feel normal. >> Um, so is there any possibility that you. ever return to the UFC?

If you had to plot it as a percentage, >> 5%. >> And since you've retired, has that. percentage gone up or down, do you. think, progressively? >> Down, I think. >> Down. Okay. >> Down, I think. Cuz I would have to. reinstate. First of all, I'd have to get. my wife on board. Then I'm going to do. another training camp and do this again. Uh, but I'd have to reinstate myself in. the drug testing protocol. And I think.

I'd have to do like 6 months of clean. drug testing before I'm eligible to. compete again. >> So that would be another 6 months. You. know, it's just a lot of hoops to jump. through. >> Mhm. >> And your father? >> Difficult. Difficult. Extremely. difficult. Um layers of emotion. It's. funny, you know, we've all got people in. our Well, a lot of people have people in. their lives where they've watched them. struggle with addiction. They've tried. to help them. They can't make sense of. why they won't accept the help, why they. won't change. They know they're doing. like I've heard it's such a familiar.

story. >> Yeah, man. >> What's the latest with him? >> He was latest with him is two days ago. he was sleeping in his truck uh behind a. business. >> And how did you find this out? >> Oh, you have a. >> Dude, when I got uh this is Father's Day. week. This is a My sister sent me this. somebody who she knows.

He was parked, my dad was parked at the. at the park. Um, somebody snapped a picture of him. getting out of his car. He's He So, he's got his top off. Oh. gosh. >> No shoes. >> No shoes. My sister actually gave him that truck. that he's living in.

God. >> And we're still working. We're still. working to to get something get him to. do something or admit himself do just to. help himself, you know. >> Sorry. I'm so sorry. >> I mean, that's life. But to see your. father like that, you know, it's just. like damn, man. Is it alcohol? >> Yeah, >> it's alcohol. >> Yeah. >> Does he he does he do other types of. drugs? >> Never smoked a cigarette in his life. Never smoke.

>> marijuana. Doesn't take pills. Like just. alcohol. >> We're trying. Me and my sister are. trying. His other his other kids don't. want anything to do with him, but me and. my sister are trying to. get him right. And my wife's super on. board like trying everything to to but. if if he doesn't want to help himself, we can only do so much, you know. But. like I said at the beginning, that's not. my weight to carry, you know? >> I'm trying my best. I'm a father now,

too. I I got to look out for me and. mine. I I can't babysit my father, you. know. It's um it can often drag people down. themselves if they try and save someone. from themselves. >> Yeah. Did I almost lost my mind on. Father's Day? I'm I'm the guy you're. talking about. >> Yeah, I know it cuz it's I've got a sort. of personal story in this regard where I. had to sit with one of my close. relatives and um I can see that they. were destroying themselves trying to.

save someone else. And um they are the. only person in this family that I'm. talking about that have made that. decision to try and save this person and. they are paying the price. >> They are sick. They are upset all the. time. They're like they've got constant. despair. Whereas all the other siblings. in that family have thought it. >> Yeah. >> And it and it would appear that they're. living more peaceful lives because. they've said it, but because of. this person's heart, they are unable to. just cut it off and let this person go. >> Yeah. Is there part of you that's that's.

worried that someday you're going to get. a call and it's going to say. >> I've been waiting for months every day. I've been waiting I know me and my wife. talk about this all the time like every. time I get a call about my dad from my. sister or something I'm like just. waiting for the you know waiting for the. news he's not in good health and he's 74. 75 years old like. no telling if he's eating and I don't. know you know every call I was like this. is the. What did your mom think about this about.

your father? >> Uh I mean as of most recently she didn't. know she didn't even know that he was. homeless. I I told her recently after. all this stuff happened. You know I. explained to her that he's she's just. sorry that I have to deal with this and. you know. >> she got remarried and then Yeah. >> Yeah. So, what's next?

>> Vacation with my family. >> Where you where you off to? 30. >> Right here in Florida. 38. Go on vacation with my family. Sit in. the sun with my kids and family. Just. have a good time, man. Stay off the internet. >> Mhm. >> Continue to work on myself. >> Have good mornings. >> That's it. Well, you know, I know you're not. looking at the internet, but I just. wanted to let you know that the. internet's been really kind. There's a. lot of really, really kind. You. >> don't hear that too often. So, >> you don't hear that too often.

>> Good to hear. >> That's actually why I wanted to do this. interview as well is in part I just. wanted to tell you that, but also I just. wanted uh I hoped we could be a bit of a. platform for people understanding the. like complicated nature of mental health. and purpose and addiction and alcohol. and all these things that through doing. this show I've been able to sort of. piece together myself. I've probably. interviewed 700 people now. you don't. find many new things, >> right? >> One of the most crazy things I've. learned from doing the show is like, "Oh, We're all the same.". >> Yeah. >> We all struggle with the same things at. the most fundamental level, you know? So, >> pretty sure,

>> you know, and um we're all excited to to. see what it is you put your your great. talent and your mentality and your. obsession to in the next season of your. career, cuz whatever it is, you know. >> Thank you, man. >> It's going to be incredible. >> Yeah. I just got to find it and continue. doing it and continue working on myself. and. >> and please be patient with yourself. >> Yeah, man. Patience is a virtue I I. wasn't blessed with. But I'm working on it. >> I'm working on it every day.

Every single day, man. >> We have a closing tradition where the. last guest leaves a question to the. next, not knowing who they're leaving it. for. And the question left for you is, "Dear next guest, what are you doing to. improve the world? I'm trying to leave it better than I. found it. Better than leave it a better. place than I came into with everything I. can, you know. uh.

for the most part making the right. decisions and. showing that people do care, trying to. be a good, you know, a person who cares. about people and stuff like that. That's. what hurts me too, man, is. me doing that. I wasn't I wasn't myself, you know? I know it's easy for me to say. and try to hide behind like a. drunkenness or. mental breakdown and all. I feel like. all those are excuses. Like that's.

people who know me know that's that's. not how I roll, man. I just feel. bad about it cuz that's my my intentions. are always. 99.9% of the time good, you know, and to. hear about the video and everything I. did and you know, I just. hurt myself, man. Really let myself. down. Hard to look in the mirror at. times. Um, but I'm going to continue continue doing. what I was doing before this happened.

you know, leave the world a better place. than I found it, man. And teach my kids. to do the same. >> And in 2018, you did um start the Good. Fight Foundation. >> Yeah. >> Um you and your wife um after clearing. out your old fight gear and auctioning. it off to support Lafayette families. You started this foundation and you've. actively been involved in in in the. charity. Um I I I went on the website. and saw you driving delivery trucks and. packing school supplies in the kitchen.

Um, but also I saw the work that you had. done in Uganda providing kids in Uganda. with multiple new water wells as well. And you were a 30 years old awarded the. first ever Forest Griffin Community. Award. The award presented annually by. the UFC to recognize an athletes. exceptional volunteering and charity. work. >> And you didn't have to do that, you. know, especially at such a young age at. sort of 28 years old when you when this. all began. And um, if people do want to. go and check out the foundation, I'm. going to link it below. Um it's called.

the good fight foundation and I looked. at the mission statement on the website. etc. and it's exactly what this question. asks. It's how can you do good for other. people in the world that need it. >> right and I I truly honestly 100%. believe I'm doing it. You know. >> I'm using the platform I built through. hard work to benefit as many people as I. can. You know uh fighting was going to. benefit me and my family every time I. walked to the ring. So, why couldn't I. my mindset was why couldn't I stack more. on my back and go in with a cause and.

sell everything I wore that night and. benefit a family or benefit a person or. another organization. I was like, let me. stack up as much on my back as I can and. keep this momentum going um with the. foundation. But when we first started. it, it wasn't I didn't auction off. everything I wore to the octagon and we. didn't link it to goals. It was just. kind of random. We were packing up my. house, moving from South Florida back to. Louisiana. Mhm. >> And we had all this stuff and we just. saw a news article that a police officer. got killed uh couple streets where me.

and my wife went to school, a couple. streets away from where we went to. school and he left behind a wife and and. kids, Officer Middlebrook here in. Lafayette, Louisiana. And we're like, well, we're packing up the house. What. about all these gloves and fight shorts. that you fought in on these big fights? Can we sell it? Maybe we can sell it and. donate to his family. And that's what. sparked the whole foundation starting. We did it for maybe a year, two, a year. and a half, two years just out of my. name before we made it an actual. nonprofit. We were just eBaying fight.

warn stuff and donating it to the food. pantry, donating it to this fallen. officer's family. And then it turned. into let's let's keep this going and see. if other fighters would get behind this. and give it a name so it's not Dustin. Porier does this, it's the Good Fight. Foundation so more people maybe get. behind it. And it just kind of. organically happened on something I'm. very proud of. I mean, in in a couple. weeks, we have the backpack back to. school drive. We we do probably 1300. backpacks filled with every school. supply on the school supply list for. Louisiana. >> Yeah. It's.

>> incredible. >> It takes it takes everybody to make. these goals happen, man. Not just the. monetary side, but the going in this. warehouse and packing every single. backpack cuz we stretch the dollar with. this foundation. You know, we don't have. any paid any everything is and we try to. keep it as minimal as as possible to. keep everything affordable. So, we buy. bulk backpacks, >> break all the pallets down to backpacks, bulk flash cards, everything that goes. in the backpack for the school year. We. buy bulk and have to pack every backpack. ourselves. >> Wow. >> And uh it's something that I really.

enjoy doing and I'm happy I have a. platform to to do it and raise. awareness. And you know, no kid should. go to school without a that's just one. of the things we we've done annually, but no kid should go to the school. without the proper school supplies they. need, you know. M. >> it's crazy. So just small stuff like. that, you know, we're just trying to. make a difference. >> Well, if anyone wants to donate, you can. go to the Good Fight Foundation. Um I'll. link it below and uh they're doing. incredible work. So it's a wonderful. thing, wonderful cause and as you say,

you run it in a very lean way so that. you can uh optimize for doing more and. more good. >> Dustin, thank you so much. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> Thank you so much for being such a class. act and thank you for agreeing to have. me interview you today. It's a real. honor. Um, you're a legend in my eyes. for so many reasons, not just because of. the man that you are, but because you've. climbed impossible mountains and also. the way that you conduct yourself after. fighting, which is a real, it's really. like inspiring to me. Um, the values, the integrity, the orientation towards. family, towards doing good, and actually. to being.

openly human. >> Definitely definitely am that. >> You know, that's my first time living. life, man. >> The good, the bad, and the human. And. you're you're willing to be so honest. and open about that. And it um there's. lots and lots and lot I know this sounds. like a crazy thing to say, but that. airport incident is going to help a lot. of people in a lot of ways that I don't. think you'll ever get to see indirectly. because of um what I think is going to. come from it. >> Thank you, man. I I hope you're. >> hope you're right. And I'm an open book. I'll talk about it and talk about my.

struggles and I hope it does help. somebody. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. YouTube have this new crazy. algorithm where they know exactly what. video you would like to watch next based. on AI and all of your viewing behavior. And the algorithm says that this video. is the perfect video for you. It's. different for everybody looking right. now. Check this video out and I bet you. you might love.