Knocking Out Stigmas: The Battle for Mental Health in Combat Sports with Lorenzo Hunt

Bare-knuckle fighting is not for the faint of heart. It’s a tough sport and you have to be wired a little differently to step into a ring where you’re reliant on yourself, not a teammate or a coach on the sideline for success. Those rounds can seem like an eternity for a boxer, filled with intensity, blood, sweat, and tears. It’s a tough sport, ruled by tougher men, and one that’s on the rise in the global sports community. 

“My father was like super-cool and taught me martial arts, so he was like my big brother more than my dad.” Lorenzo, (3:13)

Today, I spend time talking to a man who stands atop the bare-knuckle fighting world, roundly recognized as the premier talent in that sport. He’s Lorenzo Hunt, also known as, “The Juggernaut” and one of the greatest fighters of this or any other generation. I sit down with him to discuss some of the struggles he’s had to overcome, his approach to life, his sport, and how he maintains a healthy mental state. 

“I think that we really should take into consideration the mental health of our athletes more.” – Lorenzo, (6:22)

This is a fascinating conversation and one that will undoubtedly inspire you to move to new heights in your life from both a physical and more importantly, a mental state. Both are integral parts of our lives and today, we tackle them head on with a man who only knows one direction … forward!

“It doesn’t matter how you try to hurt someone, it’s going to hurt.” – Lorenzo, (13:34)

“For the most part, my training is my therapy.” – Lorenzo, (30:24)

In this Episode:

• (2:00) – Lorenzo has always been a fighter. 

• (2:13) – He was targeted by other kids and that was a trigger for him.

• (4:04) – Social anxieties caused him to go deep into his craft and become diverse. 

• (4:45) – Mental health wasn’t discussed in Lorenzo’s house.

• (5:50) – The correlation between mental and physical health. 

• (6:34) – Lorenzo shares his views on mental health evaluations for fighters. 

• (7:31) – The Mark Richman fight.

• (8:30) – Lorenzo discusses the danger of not being ready for a fight mentally. 

• (8:56) – Physically strong people are mentally strong people too according to Lorenzo. 

• (9:32) – Lorenzo reveals that he advocates for suicide prevention. 

• (9:54) – The enemy within is real according to Lorenzo. 

• (11:08) – Lorenzo takes no joy in hurting his opponent. 

• (12:32) – The switch to bare knuckle fighting is.

• (15:20) – Lorenzo in the ring and Lorenzo outside are two different people. 

• (16:55) – Paranoia and fight night. 

• (17:40) – Lorenzo explains why he’s always careful in social settings.

• (21:30) – Lorenzo laments the disrespect he’s received from some of his opponents. 

• (22:42) – The problems Lorenzo has with the city of Cleveland. 

• (26:03) – Opening up isn’t a sign of weakness.

• (28:28) – What Lorenzo said to himself after Richman knocked him down.

• (29:05) – Lorenzo feels no emotion during the fight which is a learned behavior. 

• (30:20) – Lorenzo reveals that he’s open to therapy.

• (31:58) – Lorenzo thinks everyone needs to find that one thing they love and do it for their own mental stability. 

• (33:36) – Lorenzo fights to stay away from where the enemy within lives.

• (34:10) – Advice for fighting the enemy within. 

• (37:36) – The surrealness of being a celebrity. 

• (38:00) – L