Georges St-Pierre | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #523

Georges St-Pierre's Perspective on Power and Leadership

• Georges St-Pierre and Theo Von discuss the nature of power and leadership, questioning whether political leaders truly hold the most power or if there are individuals behind the scenes who exert more influence.
• St-Pierre acknowledges that he has grown more skeptical over time, particularly due to the prevalence of conspiracy theories that have proven to be true.

Georges St-Pierre's Views on Politics and Media

• They agree that the media often presents a simplified view of political issues, forcing individuals to choose sides when they may hold more nuanced opinions.
• St-Pierre expresses his belief that most people are moderate in their political views and that the extremes are often overrepresented.

Georges St-Pierre's Reflections on His Fighting Career

• St-Pierre admits to being critical of himself and wishing he could have done things differently in his career.
• He reveals that he never enjoyed fighting itself, but rather the science of the sport and the camaraderie he shared with his training partners.
• St-Pierre describes fight day as an unbearable experience for him.

Georges St-Pierre's Insights on Success and Personal Growth

• Georges St-Pierre describes the discomfort and pressure of competing in high-stakes situations, acknowledging that it is a necessary price to pay for achieving freedom.
• He attributes his success to a combination of natural talent, hard work, and luck, recognizing that he encountered individuals who were potentially more talented or hardworking than him.
• St-Pierre emphasizes the importance of stepping outside one's comfort zone for improvement, highlighting that this is a challenging but essential aspect of personal growth.

Georges St-Pierre's Early Days in Martial Arts

• He recounts a personal experience from his early days in martial arts, where he traveled to New York City to train at the Gracie Academy despite facing language barriers and financial constraints.
• St-Pierre describes a situation where his two friends, who were supposed to accompany him, backed out of the trip, leaving him to travel alone.
• He details his experience of being defeated in a grappling match by a smaller opponent, highlighting the challenges he faced as a beginner in Jiu-Jitsu.
• Despite the initial setback, St-Pierre persevered and continued to train at the Gracie Academy, acknowledging the constant grind and occasional bullying he encountered.

Georges St-Pierre's Philosophy on Success and Sacrifice

• Georges St-Pierre believes that in order to succeed, one must be willing to endure pain, humiliation, and failure. He attributes his success to his willingness to make sacrifices.
• St-Pierre describes himself as obsessive-compulsive, citing examples like his need to step over sidewalk lines with an equal number of steps on each foot and his insistence on performing techniques in combat sports an equal number of times on each side. He believes these seemingly irrational behaviors contributed to his success.

Georges St-Pierre's Perspective on Obsessive Tendencies and Mental Health

• St-Pierre acknowledges that while obsessive tendencies can be beneficial for athletes, it is important to learn how to "punch in and punch out" and detach from the intensity of training and competition.
• St-Pierre expresses concern for Tony Ferguson, who he believes is struggling to maintain his mental and physical health due to his relentless pursuit of fighting. He contrasts Ferguson's approach with his own, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing health and well-being.

Georges St-Pierre's Experience with Fear and Mental Preparation

• St-Pierre reveals that he sought help from sports psychologists in his youth, but found their attempts to reframe his fear as excitement to be unhelpful. He felt that he was genuinely afraid of fighting, but used that fear as motivation to achieve his goals.
• The speaker discusses the importance of managing fear and how it can affect performance.
• He explains that fear is a natural emotion and that it can be controlled with practice.
• The speaker shares an analogy from his sport psychologist, comparing fear to butterflies that need to be trained to fly in formation.
• He relates his experience to the world of comedy, suggesting that comedians often use self-deprecation as a way to manage their own fears and insecurities.
• The speaker notes that the fear of failure and humiliation can be particularly intense for comedians, as they are putting themselves out there for public scrutiny.
• He suggests that making fun of oneself can be a way to release some of the pressure and anxiety associated with performing.
• The speaker also mentions that the fear of fighting can be particularly intense for fighters, especially on fight day.
• He describes fight day as the worst day of his life, due to the combination of anxiety, lack of sleep, and the pressure to perform.
• Georges St-Pierre describes his mental preparation for fights, emphasizing the importance of visualization and positive self-talk. He acknowledges that negative imagery can arise, but he forces himself to visualize a comeback scenario to avoid ending on a negative note.

Georges St-Pierre's Experience with Matt Serra and the Power of Visualization

• St-Pierre recounts his first fight against Matt Serra, where he was surprised by Serra's improved stand-up game and was knocked down multiple times. He felt emotional and wanted to retaliate immediately, leading him to engage in a slugfest while stunned.
• St-Pierre acknowledges that he tapped out due to being dazed and disoriented, which led to criticism for "quitting." He admits that the experience affected his confidence and made him question his abilities.
• St-Pierre emphasizes the importance of confidence in fighting, comparing it to having money in a bank account but no way to access it. He needed to rebuild his confidence after the Serra fight, which was a difficult process.
• St-Pierre views the Serra fight as a testament to the power of visualization, as he was able to return to the fight despite being knocked down. He believes that tapping out was the right decision to protect himself and come back stronger.

Georges St-Pierre's Journey to Overcoming Shame and Revenge

• Georges St-Pierre discusses a difficult period in his career following his first title defense loss to Matt Serra.
• He describes feeling ashamed and lacking confidence after the loss, leading to an intense desire for revenge.
• St-Pierre's sports psychologist, Brian Kane, helped him address this by making him carry a brick with Serra's name written on it during training.
• The brick served as a physical reminder of his obsession with revenge, preventing him from focusing on his immediate goals.
• After a week of carrying the brick, St-Pierre felt overwhelmed and asked Kane if he could discard it.
• Kane allowed him to throw the brick into the river, which St-Pierre describes as a symbolic act that freed him from his mental fixation on Serra.
• This experience helped St-Pierre refocus on his immediate goals and ultimately led to his successful return to the title.

Georges St-Pierre's Perspective on the Challenges of Being a Champion

• Georges St-Pierre discusses the challenges of being a champion in mixed martial arts (MMA).
• He explains that while becoming a champion is difficult, staying a champion is even harder.
• St-Pierre highlights the increased pressure and scrutiny that comes with being the champion, as everyone targets the title holder.
• He also mentions the constant threat of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in MMA, which he believes is a significant problem.

Georges St-Pierre's Stance on Performance-Enhancing Drugs in MMA

• St-Pierre emphasizes the importance of fair testing and the need for a stronger system to combat PED use.
• He shares his personal experience with PEDs, stating that he implemented stricter testing when he fought against both Hendrick and Bjen.
• St-Pierre believes that PEDs can significantly impact a fighter's performance, affecting their stamina, strength, recovery, brain function, and reaction time.
• He emphasizes that PEDs can change a fighter's personality and behavior, making them more aggressive and unpredictable.
• St-Pierre expresses concern about the potential for unfair competition due to the lack of consistent and reliable testing in MMA.
• He concludes by highlighting the importance of respect and fairness in martial arts, emphasizing the traditional values of the sport.

Georges St-Pierre's Decision to Take a Hiatus from Fighting

• Georges St-Pierre felt overwhelmed by the demands of being a fighter and the constant pressure from the media.
• He felt burned out and needed a break from the sport, which is why he took a four-year hiatus.
• St-Pierre believes that the constant pressure from the media and the need to constantly be in the public eye can be detrimental to a fighter's mental health.
• He describes the feeling of being constantly targeted and disrespected by other fighters, even when he is at the top of his game.

Georges St-Pierre's Views on Trash-Talking in MMA

• St-Pierre believes that trash-talking is a part of the fight game and that it is a strategy used to get into an opponent's head.
• He cites the example of Conor McGregor's fight against Jose Aldo, where McGregor's trash-talking led to Aldo losing his composure and ultimately losing the fight.
• St-Pierre also mentions the fight between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov, where the trash-talking escalated to a physical altercation after the fight.
• He believes that social media has amplified the impact of trash-talking in the fight game.

Georges St-Pierre's Perspective on Drug Testing in MMA

• Georges St-Pierre believes that the implementation of drug testing in mixed martial arts (MMA) has significantly improved the sport.
• St-Pierre acknowledges that the initial testing process was inadequate, but the introduction of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) significantly improved the situation.
• St-Pierre expresses concern about the potential for corruption when the organization conducting the fights is also responsible for drug testing.
• St-Pierre believes that a separate entity should be responsible for drug testing to ensure fairness and integrity.
• St-Pierre is pleased that the UFC has partnered with Drug Free Sport International to handle drug testing, which will be overseen by former FBI special agent George Piro.
• St-Pierre believes that the UFC's primary interest is in generating revenue, but he also believes that they want to ensure that clean athletes are competing.

Georges St-Pierre's Views on the Business of Fighting

• Georges St-Pierre believes that money is the top priority in fighting, even if it means compromising fairness and cleanliness.
• He acknowledges that the business of fighting can be dirty, citing examples of athletes using performance-enhancing drugs and then blaming their sponsors for the contamination.
• St-Pierre believes that many fighters used performance-enhancing drugs, but he lacks the evidence to accuse anyone specifically.
• He compares the fight against cheating in sports to a cat-and-mouse game, where the technology used to cheat is always one step ahead of the technology used to detect it.
• St-Pierre emphasizes the importance of having real friends who tell him the truth, even when it's difficult to hear.
• He explains that his decision to return to fighting against Michael Bisping was driven by a desire to avoid regret, even though he was aware of the risks involved.
• St-Pierre believes that living with regret is the worst thing, and he wanted to ensure he didn't have any regrets about his career.

Georges St-Pierre's Experience with Ulcerative Colitis and Fasting

• Georges St-Pierre was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis during his training camp for his fight against Michael Bisping.
• He experienced symptoms like blood in his stool and was on heavy medication for anti-inflammation.
• St-Pierre relinquished his title because he was unsure of his health and wanted to focus on getting better.
• He discovered fasting through Dr. Jason Fung, a nephrologist in Toronto.
• St-Pierre followed a fasting program that included time-restricted eating and prolonged fasting.
• After a few weeks of fasting, his symptoms disappeared, and he was able to reduce his medication.
• St-Pierre believes that fasting is a powerful tool for managing inflammation and other health issues.
• He encourages people to investigate fasting but to consult with their doctor first.

Georges St-Pierre's Observations on Health and Lifespan

• The speaker discusses the health of the Masai tribe in Kenya, noting that their older members appear healthier than older people in developed countries.
• The speaker attributes this to the high infant mortality rate in the Masai tribe, which skews their life expectancy statistics.
• The speaker acknowledges that technology plays a significant role in extending lifespans in developed countries, citing his own childhood experience with a medical emergency.

Georges St-Pierre's Analysis of the Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad Fight

• The speaker discusses the fairness of the fight between Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad, arguing that the early morning fight time was fair for both fighters.
• The speaker expresses his admiration for Leon Edwards, highlighting his personality and athleticism.
• The speaker is impressed by Belal Muhammad's performance in the fight, noting his unexpected versatility and ability to adapt his fighting style.
• The speaker acknowledges Belal Muhammad's ambition to surpass Georges St-Pierre's legacy, suggesting that it is achievable with continued hard work.

Georges St-Pierre's Reflections on Fighting in Different Eras

• Georges St-Pierre believes he was fortunate to fight in his era, acknowledging that fighting today could have brought more financial rewards due to social media but also potentially worse conditions.
• He expresses respect for fighters from earlier eras like Royce Gracie, Dan Severn, Mark Coleman, Don Frye, and Ken Shamrock, who fought under harsher conditions with no weight classes and multiple fights per night.
• St-Pierre acknowledges the lack of a union or organization to support these pioneers, attributing it to a power struggle and a desire for control within the sport.
• He believes that the situation will improve over time, drawing parallels to other sports where athletes initially faced similar challenges.

Georges St-Pierre's Perspective on the UFC's Monopoly and Fighter Rights

• St-Pierre highlights the UFC's monopoly in mixed martial arts, making it difficult for fighters to negotiate better terms.
• He discusses the impact of pornography on his life, admitting that it caused him shame and negatively affected him at certain periods.
• St-Pierre promotes Valor Recovery, a program designed to help men overcome porn addiction and sexual compulsivity.
• He encourages viewers to reach out to Valor Recovery for support and guidance.
• St-Pierre promotes Blue Cube Baths, a cold plunge system, highlighting its American-made quality and customizable temperature settings.
• Georges St-Pierre discussed the positive effects of cold plunging and mentioned a giveaway by Blue Cube Baths.

Georges St-Pierre's Views on Trash-Talking and Respect for Opponents

• St-Pierre and Michael Bisping discussed their experience fighting each other, with St-Pierre acknowledging Bisping's villainous persona and his ability to trash talk.
• St-Pierre stated that he was not good at trash talking and that he preferred to focus on his performance rather than creating a character.
• St-Pierre emphasized that he never had any personal beef with his opponents and viewed them as human beings who made similar sacrifices.
• St-Pierre explained that he saw his opponents as reflections of himself and that disrespecting them would be like disrespecting himself.
• St-Pierre acknowledged that he was lucky to have the opportunities he had and that he would not hesitate to help his opponents if they were in need.
• St-Pierre believed that opportunities in life are often time-sensitive and that waiting too long can lead to missed chances.

Georges St-Pierre's Missed Opportunities in Fighting

• Georges St-Pierre discusses the missed opportunity of fighting Nick Diaz during his prime.
• St-Pierre mentions that he would have come back from retirement to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov.
• St-Pierre explains that the fight with Khabib never materialized because the UFC did not want to make it happen at the right time.
• St-Pierre describes how Dana White tried to create a narrative that Khabib was interested in the fight, even though Khabib had previously stated he was not.
• St-Pierre believes that Dana White is under a lot of pressure as a promoter and businessman, and that he is not always acting in the best interests of the fighters.

Georges St-Pierre's Relationship with Dana White

• Georges St-Pierre describes his relationship with Dana White as having evolved over time, becoming more friendly.
• St-Pierre explains that when he was fighting, he was cautious about taking calls from Dana White because he was the boss and any conversation could have significant consequences.
• St-Pierre compares the dynamic to an employee's relationship with their boss, where a simple question like "What are you up to this weekend?" can lead to unwanted commitments.
• St-Pierre acknowledges that Dana White has a difficult job running the UFC and that his decisions are often made in the best interest of the business.
• St-Pierre highlights that he had disagreements with Dana White during his fighting career because he had reached a level of success where he could not be easily controlled.
• St-Pierre emphasizes the importance of negotiating for a fair share of the profits when fighting in big events, arguing that it incentivizes fighters to promote the fights.
• St-Pierre believes that many fighters are not well-managed and do not advocate for themselves financially, which is a responsibility that falls on their managers.
• St-Pierre concludes that the fight game is a business where fighters need to be aware of their worth and negotiate for their best interests, both in the Octagon and in contract negotiations.

Georges St-Pierre's Perspective on Dana White's Character and Business Practices

• The speaker believes that Dana White is a great businessman and a good person, despite the fact that he can be difficult to work with as a fighter.
• The speaker acknowledges that Dana White has to balance his personal relationships with fighters with the need to run a successful business.
• The speaker believes that Dana White is a good person, citing his actions during the COVID-19 pandemic and his willingness to help others.
• The speaker emphasizes the importance of building a strong team in mixed martial arts, as it is difficult to succeed alone.
• The speaker highlights the importance of finding competent and trustworthy people to work with, as incompetence or untrustworthiness can lead to setbacks.
• The speaker acknowledges that Dana White has been criticized, but also points out that the UFC has been successful under his leadership.
• The speaker believes that Dana White's business practices will be studied by future business leaders.

Georges St-Pierre's Passion for Paleontology

• The speaker shares his passion for paleontology and how he spent time studying dinosaurs after his fight with Johnny Hendricks.
• The speaker reveals that he was able to access various dig sites due to his connections in the mixed martial arts world.
• The speaker acknowledges that he would not be able to be a paleontologist due to his lack of patience for the long hours and physical demands of the work.
• Georges St-Pierre describes a paleontological dig site where he saw fossilized eggshells of Titanosaurs.
• He also mentions a dig site where he saw Triceratops bones that were sliced by Tyrannosaurus Rex teeth.
• St-Pierre discusses the possibility of resurrecting the woolly mammoth using stem cells from Asian elephants.
• He expresses concern about the well-being of animals in zoos, noting that some animals are not in their natural environment.
• St-Pierre shares his experience with gorilla trekking in Rwanda, emphasizing the importance of respecting the gorillas and their space.

Georges St-Pierre's Encounter with a Gorilla in Rwanda

• Georges St-Pierre recounts an encounter with a gorilla during a trip to Rwanda.
• The gorilla, a silverback, approached St-Pierre and stared at him, making him feel threatened.
• St-Pierre prayed for safety and the gorilla turned its back to him, showing him that he was not a threat.
• St-Pierre learned that the gorilla's behavior was a test of his strength and that the gorilla could have easily overpowered him.
• St-Pierre emphasizes the importance of protecting gorillas and the positive impact of tourism on their conservation.

Georges St-Pierre's Home Fitness Equipment Brand and Training Preferences

• St-Pierre promotes his home fitness equipment brand, Bas Block Pro, which offers a variety of apparel and equipment for home training.
• St-Pierre expresses his preference for calisthenics over weightlifting, finding it more efficient for training.
• Georges St-Pierre discusses his preference for bodyweight training, citing its lower risk of injury and efficiency.
• He recommends a specific pull-up bar for home workouts.

Georges St-Pierre's Continued Interest in MMA and Learning from Current Fighters

• St-Pierre expresses his continued interest in MMA, particularly watching fighters he can learn from.
• He mentions enjoying watching fighters like Tom Aspinall, Leon Edwards, Khamzat Chimaev, and Sean O'Malley.
• St-Pierre acknowledges the unique skillsets of current fighters and how he can learn from their styles.
• He highlights the effectiveness of Sean O'Malley's left hook, despite its simplicity, due to his ability to disguise it.
• St-Pierre compares MMA to a chess game, emphasizing the strategic aspects of the sport.
• He shares his past experience with chess and how it influenced his early life.
• St-Pierre reveals that he started karate as a child for self-defense, which later evolved into a passion and career.

Georges St-Pierre's Experience with Chess and Early Life

• Georges St-Pierre discussed his experience competing in chess tournaments as a child. He mentioned winning at the school and regional levels but failing to win a single match at the provincial level in Montreal.

Georges St-Pierre's Views on the Olympics Opening Ceremony and the Pandemic

• St-Pierre expressed his opinion on the controversy surrounding the opening ceremony of the Olympics, stating that he felt it was anti-Catholic and that certain things should be kept private.
• St-Pierre shared his frustration with the handling of the pandemic in Canada, specifically criticizing the curfew and restrictions imposed on unvaccinated individuals. He believed these measures were an attack on freedom and that people should have the right to choose whether or not to be vaccinated.
• St-Pierre compared the situation to "privatized communism" and expressed regret for not speaking out more against the government's decisions during the pandemic. He acknowledged the potential for being "canceled" for expressing his views.

Georges St-Pierre's Stance on Transgender Athletes in Combat Sports

• The discussion centers around the topic of transgender athletes competing in sports, specifically in combat sports.
• The speaker brings up the case of Iman Kif, an Algerian female boxer who has faced controversy due to her higher testosterone levels.
• Georges St-Pierre expresses his opinion that transgender women who were born male should not compete in women's divisions in combat sports.
• He argues that it is unfair to women athletes and that a separate division should be created for transgender athletes.
• St-Pierre uses the example of a hypothetical scenario where he transitions and competes in the UFC women's division.
• He believes that it would be unfair to the women fighters and that he would likely perform well due to his physical advantages.
• The speaker and St-Pierre agree that a separate division for transgender athletes would be a fair solution.
• St-Pierre emphasizes the significant physical differences between men and women, particularly in combat sports.
• He cites examples of Serena Williams playing tennis against men and a Dutch kickboxing champion fighting a man in boxing.
• St-Pierre believes that men should speak up against the unfairness of transgender women competing in women's divisions, even if it means facing criticism.

Georges St-Pierre's Discussion on the Gabi Garcia vs. Craig Jones BJJ Tournament

• The discussion then shifts to an upcoming BJJ tournament featuring Craig Jones and Gabby Garcia.
• The speaker and St-Pierre discuss whether the fight is a novelty event or a serious competition.
• They acknowledge that Gabby Garcia is a female athlete but express concerns about potential performance-enhancing substances.

Georges St-Pierre's Views on Gabi Garcia and the Importance of Education

• Georges St-Pierre and Theo Von discussed the recent grappling event featuring Gabi Garcia.
• St-Pierre acknowledged the strength difference between men and women in combat sports, but also recognized that women can be very competitive, especially with experience.
• St-Pierre emphasized the importance of education and having a backup plan for athletes, especially in combat sports, where injuries can end careers.
• St-Pierre shared his experience of quitting school to pursue fighting and the importance of having a fallback option.
• St-Pierre expressed his current contentment with his life and his entrepreneurial pursuits, stating that he has transferred his competitive drive from fighting to business.

Georges St-Pierre's Perspective on Education and Success

• Georges St-Pierre discusses the importance of education, emphasizing that even with talent and hard work, success is not guaranteed.
• He shares his own experience of pursuing various career paths before focusing on fighting, including working as a fireman, security guard, and garbage collector.
• St-Pierre highlights the importance of having a backup plan and emphasizes that he only decided to pursue fighting full-time after securing a title shot, recognizing it as a unique opportunity.
• He acknowledges that he lost his first title shot but rebounded quickly and ultimately won the title, marking a turning point in his UFC career.
• St-Pierre mentions that his parents attended his local fights, with his mother even traveling to Sacramento to watch him win the title.
• He reveals that his father is afraid of flying, which prevented him from attending more of his son's fights.