E01 | From warehouse to UFC Flyweight Champion—Demetrious Johnson aka "Mighty Mouse"
The NoDegree Podcast – No Degree Success Stories for Job Searching, Careers, and Entrepreneurship
Shownotes Transcript
He was working in a warehouse and started fighting as a hobby. His work ethic and discipline made him one of the greatest fighters of all time. Demetrious Johnson a.k.a. Mighty, is the first flyweight champion in UFC history. In 2017, he won ESPY award for Best Fighter. He has 11 successful title defenses, the most in UFC history.
It all started with his mom. She told him that he could either play sports and she’d cover his expenses or work and he’d be responsible for his own costs. He chose to play sports. He was a multi-sport athlete in high school.
Although he feels that college is a useful tool, he feels that it was a waste of time for him. Listen in as he shares his experience with Jonaed.
What did he want to be in high school? [00:01:15]
His mom gave him two options. Work so be able to pay for what they wanted or play sports in school and she’d cover all their expenses. He played sports up until the last year in high school, which is when he started working.
His thoughts on working [00:03:10]
If he wanted something, he’d work hard to get it. He was never lazy. He has the same perspective on his fighting career.
How did he get into fighting? [00:07:08]
He and his roommate came across an episode of an Ultimate Fighting Championship. Inspired by what he saw, he signed up for boxing at the gym. One day someone approached him and asked him if he wanted to learn how to fight.
Why did he continue working at the beginning of his career? [00:09:30]
Many athletes quit when they feel that they've made it. Although the money from winning is good, it only lasts a short period of time. He considers professional fighting a hobby until it can pay all personal expenses.
He juggled working fulltime and fighting. [00:11:28]
He had a really supportive boss that gave him time off to go to fighting events. His boss was so supportive that he told DJ he’d be fired if he ever chose his fulltime job over fighting.
His wife is an instrumental part of his success. [00:13:15]
He describes his wife as a “monster” because she juggles many responsibilities so well.
Why is he detached from the outcome of his fights? [00:18:33]
Although loosing sucks, he doesn’t believe that a person should change their perspective and how they act.
Why does he also want to be known as a gamer? [00:23:10]
Many times athletes live by their identity. And while there’s nothing wrong with that, he knows he won’t be able to fight forever so he shares his passion for gaming on Twitch). Then, when he’s done fighting, he’ll have people to hang out with.
How does he stay positive even when he’s being criticized when gaming? [00:24:11]
Being in the limelight for so long has allowed him to see the “good in the good and the bad in the bad”. He feels that there’s a lot of negativity in the world that overcomes positivity. He wants people to come to his channel) and have a positive experience.
Advice for new fighters coming up? [00:30:18]
His advice is simple: save your money and enjoy it.
Has he ever felt insecure about not going to college? [00:32:30]
He feels that college is a valuable tool but it wasn’t for him. He felt that he’s learned more as a professional athlete in the business world than he did going to school.
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