For over two decades, Joe Rogan has become a prominent figure in both entertainment and mixed martial arts, with his impact stretching far beyond the UFC’s octagon. Known for his distinctive and often humorous style, the podcaster built the hugely successful ‘Joe Rogan Experience’ podcast, which today stands at an impressive $200 million. His influence earned him a spot on TIME magazine’s 2022 list of the 100 most influential people—a testament to his reach and power.

However, Joe Rogan did not always have a guaranteed rise to fame. From humble beginnings, the podcaster transformed his life through sheer determination and a passion for martial arts. His journey began in his teenage years, driven by a need to find discipline and confidence. In a recent episode (#2245) of his podcast, Rogan opened up about his early struggles while speaking with former Illinois state representative Rod Blagojevich.

Joe Rogan shared, “I started fighting when I was 15.” Reflecting on what sparked his interest, he opened up about his childhood experiences. “I got picked on a lot. I was a small kid,” the podcaster recalled. “We were always moving to new neighborhoods. Nobody really hurt me, but I got pushed around a little, like teenage boys do to each other. Didn’t like it. I was terrified of conflict because I didn’t know how to handle it. I had no training, no martial arts background. The only sport I’d ever played was baseball. So, I started doing martial arts.”

Despite Joe Rogan’s challenging childhood—constantly moving from city to city, struggling in school, balancing life with academics and the gym, and even working as a paperboy—his life took a dramatic turn after his introduction to martial arts. The podcaster later revealed, “I traveled around the country fighting in tournaments. It was the weirdest thing. I went from being terrified of fighting to fighting all the time—like all the time. We were flying to Ohio, and you know, I couldn’t drive. I was 16 at the time, so I was with all these other guys, and most of them were like grown men.”

There’s no doubt that Joe Rogan’s journey mirrors the inspiring rags-to-riches stories we often see in movies. However, as he entered his 20s, the podcaster made a significant shift. He moved away from participating in fight tournaments and turned his focus to stand-up comedy and television career. But what motivated this change? Let’s hear it from the man himself.

What made Joe Rogan quit martial arts?

If you’re a UFC fan, you’re probably well aware of the devastating power behind Joe Rogan’s kicks. A four-time consecutive Massachusetts Taekwondo champion, the podcaster’s talent went far beyond regional accolades, representing Massachusetts at the Nationals at just 19 years old. Little did he know, that victory would become the turning point, marking the end of his martial arts career. A knockout during that fight forced Rogan to reconsider his future in combat sports.

In his latest podcast episode, Rogan opened up about his experience competing in the national championship, facing off against the Illinois state champion. During the fight, the Newark native delivered a deadly kick that left the Illinois champion unconscious. Reflecting on the moment, Rogan emotionally shared, “He was going to throw a kick, and I spun with my right leg at the same time. He went out, face-planted, snoring, never woke up. Never woke up. He was unconscious for half an hour. They put him on a stretcher, I was watching. He never got out of that stretcher. They took him to the hospital. I have no idea what happened to him, and it freaked me out.”

What’s your perspective on Joe Rogan’s remarkable journey? Do you think his influence extends beyond just his podcast and UFC commentary? Given his reputation as a

“jack of all trades,” do you believe the podcaster should explore other areas to showcase his skills? Share your thoughts below.