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Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC

Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC

Brendan Fitzgerald

In-depth interviews with top performers in the UFC world. Use life lessons from these world-class athletes to win at what you're fighting for! Welcome to Fitz Nation.
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Top 10 Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC - Devonte Smith

Devonte Smith

Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC

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09/15/21 • 57 min

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Devonte Smith is a rising lightweight contender in the UFC. He is 3-1 since joining the UFC in 2018 with all 3 wins coming by knockout.
From Cleveland, Devonte has had to ride the rollercoaster of life's ups and downs, coming from a big family and draws inspiration from his mother to always make things work.
Devonte talks with Fitz about his early years and being a martial arts fan, his early career when he stopped fighting to work and help buy a house for his family, and much more!
He has a fight coming up on October 2nd vs. Jamie Mullarkey at UFC Fight Night on ESPN+.

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Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC - Sayif Saud on chasing what matters and getting better with age

Sayif Saud on chasing what matters and getting better with age

Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC

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01/21/24 • 40 min

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Fitz Nation is back with friend of the show and MMA coach Sayif Saud!
Sayif has become a good friend of mine over the years and I always love talking about life with him. He's the kind of guy that will always leave you feeling better, more motivated, more perceptive, or whatever you happen to need with what you're going through. It's why I always look to get him back on the show when there's a big-picture topic I am looking to discuss.
We talk about the wonderful and very simple book Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday. It's a short and easy read, but can do wonders for centering yourself and getting to work on what's most important in a world that is so focused on chasing down distractions.

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Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC - What happened to Ian Heinisch?

What happened to Ian Heinisch?

Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC

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01/20/24 • 43 min

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Often times, fighters have life journeys filled with struggle and adversity. It's part of what it takes to have the mentality one needs to do what they do.
Ian Heinisch is one of the best examples of a life journey that has twists and turns, ups and downs, and also shows that despite achieving success, the road does not end with an accomplishment. It just opens a new door.
From getting involved with drugs, then dealing and trafficking them, then being arrested and serving hard time, Ian certainly battled his demons. He eventually fought his way to the UFC to compete with the best fighters in the world.
Now, he is fighting another battle to get healthy as he tries to compete in combat sports again and really wants to make his UFC return in 2024.
His relentless pursuit of great things is to be admired by all and a great way to kick off 2024!

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Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC - 155: Why we love the UFC & UFC 296 preview

155: Why we love the UFC & UFC 296 preview

Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC

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12/14/23 • 31 min

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Fitz is back to talk about the three big reasons we love the UFC:
1. Action
2. Characters
3. Stories
He then goes over how all of these apply to UFC 296 and the many storylines coming up on Saturday, how he wants Colby Covington to change, his potential fight of the year nobody is talking about and more!

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Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC - 154: Arman Tsarukyan's A+ at UFC Austin, Ian Garry has already won

154: Arman Tsarukyan's A+ at UFC Austin, Ian Garry has already won

Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC

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12/05/23 • 39 min

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Fitz Nation is back with some fight talk as Fitz chats about his weekend at UFC Austin, Arman Tsarukyan's impressive performance in the main event, the mental clarity shown by fighters that Fitz talked to during fight week, and how Ian Garry has already won before his fight at UFC 296.

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Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC - 153: UFC Austin Preview, is Bobby Green the next Masvidal? & Middleweight matchmaking
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11/27/23 • 71 min

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On this episode, Fitz welcomes producer and jiu jitsu purple belt Spencer Shackel to the show. The guys recap Thanksgiving weekend and then look ahead to a massive fight night at UFC Austin. What's at stake for Beneil Dariush in this week's main event vs. Arman Tsarukyan? Is Bobby Green the next Jorge Masvidal break through fighting star? Fitz also tells a couple of fun Jalin Turner stories as he steps in for the co-main event on short notice.

The guys then talk about the fluidity of the middleweight division with many top 10 contenders not having fights booked and what match-ups they want to see in early 2024

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Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC - USADA fallout and UFC 294 chaos

USADA fallout and UFC 294 chaos

Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC

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10/14/23 • 69 min

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Do you ever wonder about the controversies and dynamics behind the UFC’s drug testing program? Join us for an in-depth discussion as we get real about the UFC's recent split with USADA, potential changes to the UFC's drug testing policy, and how this major shift could impact the future of the sport.
Our conversation doesn't stop at drug testing. We also talk about some highly anticipated matches in UFC 294. Alexander Volkanovski's rematch with Islam Makachev and the immense pressure Kamaru Usman might be feeling against Khamzat Chimaev is covered!
As we wrap up, we draw our focus to current trends in UFC. Whether you're a hardcore MMA fan or a casual observer, this engaging conversation pulls back the curtain on the world of UFC. Tune in for an episode that is as unpredictable and thrilling as the sport itself!

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Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC - Fitz Nation LIVE on Combat Sports, Media Evolution, and What Lies Ahead

Fitz Nation LIVE on Combat Sports, Media Evolution, and What Lies Ahead

Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC

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10/09/23 • 54 min

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From the impact of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok on entertainment, to UFC 295 speculation and retirement contemplation, we've got it all covered. We are breaking down the John Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight and discussing if it could be the biggest heavyweight fight in combat sports history. We're also exploring the implications of potential retirements and the transformation of the heavyweight division in the UFC.
Lastly, we're zooming out to look at the global growth of UFC, the Performance Institute, and the potential of new markets like India. And for a bit of nostalgia, we take a walk down memory lane, reminiscing about the early days of MMA and how it's evolved to become a global phenomenon.
So join us in this intriguing conversation and let's talk combat sports, media, and what lies ahead for UFC.

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Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC - John Gooden's Spirited Ride in the UFC World

John Gooden's Spirited Ride in the UFC World

Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC

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09/28/23 • 45 min

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I sat down with UFC commentator John Gooden, a man whose life was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. From the thrill of Fight Island to visa issues and reduced work, John invites us into his world to share his personal journey rising the ranks as an MMA commentator. John's story is a testament to resilience, perseverance and a good, old-fashioned bet on himself.
John's career has been one of transitions... from a plush job in London to a modest position at the BBC, he found himself drawn to martial arts and the world of MMA and UFC. In our candid conversation, John reveals how this passion steered his career trajectory, and the sacrifices he made to seize the international opportunities he always yearned for. His journey, though filled with trials, has instilled in him a unique perspective on life, pressure, and privilege.
As we delve into John's world, we also explore the themes of personal growth and gratitude. He shares how books like "Four Thousand Weeks" and "Die With Zero" have influenced his outlook and the importance of staying connected to the community. Despite the harsh criticisms and high stakes in the demanding world of UFC, John underlines the importance of hard work, kindness, and the pursuit of passion. Join us as we delve into the story of a man who gambled on his dreams and reaped the rewards of his courage.

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Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC - Lando Vannata

Lando Vannata

Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC

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11/17/22 • 50 min

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UFC veteran Lando Vannata joins Fitz Nation! We had a wide-ranging chat about his journey from BMX racer to combat sports enthusiast to UFC action fighter!
Included on the show:

  • Lando’s gaming rig (passion for car racing, adrenaline of a race vs. the rush of fighting)
  • Cancelling fight with Andre Fili (tumultuous fight camp, expected return date)
  • Being mentally stronger than ever (battling depression early in UFC career, panic attacks, working with a mental coach, always improving)
  • Normal upbringing traveling around the U.S. (loving BMX racing, huge influence of his father, becoming obsessed with UFC after seeing Pedro Rizzo vs. Josh Barnett on VHS) “Ever since I saw that fight, I was like, “Yep. That’s what I want to do with my life.”
  • Why he was drawn to fighting (being the smallest brother, journey through wrestling in high school)
  • Expectations of fighting vs. reality (the value of putting all your energy into one place) “I thought I was going to retire by the time I was 30. Now, I just have the mindset of breadth over depth.”
  • Advice to his younger self now that he’s 30
  • Balancing his goals with growing older (mindfulness, belief in oneself, sports psychology and mental coaching). “I think the best thing you can do for yourself is learn how to have deep-seated confidence.”

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FAQ

How many episodes does Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC have?

Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC currently has 161 episodes available.

What topics does Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC cover?

The podcast is about Ufc, Sports, Education, Self-Improvement, Podcasts, Martial Arts, Interview and Mma.

What is the most popular episode on Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC?

The episode title 'What happened to Ian Heinisch?' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC?

The average episode length on Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC is 52 minutes.

How often are episodes of Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC released?

Episodes of Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC are typically released every 7 days, 2 hours.

When was the first episode of Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC?

The first episode of Fitz Nation: Stories and Life Lessons from the UFC was released on Apr 28, 2019.

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