Podchaser Logo Rate on Podchaser

full

full
Published on:

12th Apr 2023

From UFC Fighter to Humanitarian - Rising Above Struggles & Creating Lasting Change | Justin Wren

Welcome to today's episode, where we have a truly inspiring guest who has faced and conquered more challenges than most of us can imagine. Our guest is Justin "the big Pygmy" Wren, a mixed martial artist, humanitarian, and founder of the nonprofit organization, Fight for the Forgotten.

During the episode, we delve deep into Justin's remarkable story, starting from his early years as a dominant high school wrestler to his struggles with depression, drug addiction, and suicidal thoughts. We also explore his transformative journey with the Mbuti Pygmy people of the Congo Basin Rainforest and how this experience motivated him to create Fight for the Forgotten.

Justin shares his personal experiences with bullying as a child and the significant impact it had on his confidence and growth. He has captivated millions with his appearances on popular shows such as Joe Rogan, Mike Tyson's Hotboxing, and TEDx Talks, as well as through his book, Fight for the Forgotten.

Join us as we discover Justin's journey of conquering adversity and find out how he continues to make a positive impact in the world today. This is an episode that you don't want to miss, so let's dive right in!

Todays Sponsor-🔥 MAGIC MIND: The World’s First Productivity Shot - magicmind.co/UAP20

Enter code: UAP20 to get 20% off

📌 Grab a copy of Lance’s new book, MASTERING ADVERSITY now available on Amazon. Click the link to buy the book: Mastering Adversity Amazon

🧠 Want to work with Lance 1-on-1? Book a call👇🏼

https://www.pickmybrain.world/profiles/lance-essihos

WANT TO SUPPORT THE WORK WE DO?

1 - Subscribe and follow the podcast (Youtube, Apple, Spotify, Castbox) and leave a 5 star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

2 - Do you want to create more awareness in your life in the face of adversity? 👉 Take the FREE Warrior Quiz and Discover your Adversity Archetype

3 - Win the War Within for 2023 and Grab The Warrior Embodiment Course for $97 Grab the course here 👉 www.universityofadversity.ca/embody-the-warrior-within 

👨🏻‍🏫Connect With Justin Wren:

👨🏻‍🏫Connect With Lance W Essihos:

📺Subscribe to University of Adversity:

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for University of Adversity

About the Podcast

University of Adversity
Real stories and tools to help you grow through adversity, burnout, and reinvention.
University of Adversity is a show about the moments that change us — especially the ones we didn’t ask for.

I’m Lance Essihos, and I sit down with athletes, bestselling authors, doctors, entrepreneurs, spiritual teachers, and everyday warriors to have real conversations about adversity — the kind that strips away the surface and forces us to face who we really are.

We go deep into the mindset shifts, emotional breakthroughs, and practical tools that helped them rebuild. Not just to survive, but to come back stronger, clearer, and more aligned.

This isn’t motivation.
It’s what happens after the breakdown, when you’re trying to put the pieces back together and make it mean something.

If you’re in a season of uncertainty, burnout, or reinvention — this show is here to walk with you.

We don’t just talk about getting through the hard times.
We talk about who you become because of them.

About your host

Profile picture for Lance Essihos

Lance Essihos

As an experienced veteran with adversity, Lance has faced some of life's most difficult challenges. Grinding his way through the hockey ranks to traveling the world as a bartender. Through his personal battle with drugs and alcohol for well over a decade, the tragic loss of his brother to suicide followed by the great loss of his father to cancer only a year later, Lance realized he had hit rock bottom. In the darkest of days, he made a promise to himself that he would create a new life, one that would make an impact and inspire the masses, leaving the world in a better place than he found it. Lance has made it his mission to facilitate the message of positive change through adversity and encourage people to see the light through the darkness of life's worst moments.