“That’s a Very Particular Mental Illness” – Joe Rogan Once Revealed the Real Reason Behind the UFC Legend Not Turning Pro

Joe Rogan is a man of many talents. The UFC commentator is an accomplished Stand-up comedian and an award-winning podcaster. As a young man, Rogan used to teach Taekwondo and has been a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. In a video interview with BJJ black belt and AI specialist Lex Fridman in September 2020. Lex Fridman’s YouTube channel has over 2 million subscribers. Rogan had talked about his video game habit and how he was susceptible to getting obsessed with things.

Rogan talked about how he once used to play video games for hours at his studio. He also mentioned that he was playing so much that he used to get late for diners and was also finishing podcasts quickly so he could get back to playing.

READ MORE: UFC Commentator Joe Rogan Reveals the Most Important Skill in MMA

Rogan also admitted that he has this problem of getting obsessed with things. He said,” I don’t want to get obsessed. That’s my number one concern: I had to quit video games, yeah when we were playing video games at the studio, I had to quit because I was playing five hours a day, like out of nowhere. All of a sudden, I was playing five hours a day. I was coming home late for dinner. I was ending podcasts early and jumping on the video games and playing.”

Joe Rogan doesn’t want to get obsessed

Rogan accepted that his getting obsessed with competitive things was some mental illness. He said that he always knew that it needed to be managed. Rogan said that he was obsessed with martial arts for a long time. Rogan was obsessed with martial arts for around 6 years, from when he was aged 15 till he grew up to be 21.

It was at 21 when Joe Rogan decided to leave teaching martial arts and get into stand-up comedy. Remembering the days Rogan said.” I knew I couldn’t do both of those things. There was no way you have to be cognizant of that obsessive force within you to make sure. Yes, I have to know how to manage my mental illness right.”

Replying to why he never took BJJ professionally Rogan said “That’s a very particular mental illness and I think that mental illness again, in my formative years from 15 until I was 21-ish 22, those years were spent constantly obsessed with martial arts.”

Rogan tastes success in multiple fields

Joe Rogan quit teaching martial arts at 21, but he didn’t stop learning. Apart from learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Joe-Rogan has also become a successful stand-up comedian, UFC color presenter, podcaster, and business owner. His success in multiple fields may be because of his discipline and work ethics that martial arts might have instilled in him in his formative years.

Watch This Story: Books that UFC commentator Joe Rogan Recommends

The Joe Rogan success story has inspired many people. His opinions and inquisitiveness have made his podcast a hit. He might vary in his obsession and mental illness, but that hasn’t stopped him from becoming a millionaire. Do you think being a martial artist has been the reason for his overcoming his struggles?