UFC Commentator Joe Rogan Reveals Who Inspired Him to Start $23 Million Per Year Venture

Joe Rogan is a man of multifold talents. He is a UFC commentator, a podcast host, and a martial artist. Rogan’s popularity dates back to his days as the host of the show “Fear Factor“. He found more fame and following as a UFC commentator. However, his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, really skyrocketed his popularity.

In addition to being a UFC commentator and a podcast host, Rogan also found some success as a stand-up comedian. In a recent episode of JRE, he opened up about his decision to do stand-up comedy and the motivation behind it.

Joe Rogan on how he became a stand-up comedian

Joe Rogan’s net worth is around 100 million dollars today. In a recent episode of JRE, Joe Rogan invited American record producer and former co-president of Columbia Records, Rick Rubin. The pair had an entertaining three-hour conversation, during which Rubin asked about the beginning of Rogan’s stand-up career.

Rogan revealed it was his friend Steve Graham that talked him into it. Graham is now an ophthalmologist by profession. The pair used to do martial arts together. Rogan said that he used to make his friends laugh after sparring sessions or on the way to tournaments when the mood was serious. He would do impressions and such to lighten the tension.

“I would be the one that made everybody laugh. It was like gallows humor. And I would love it. I loved all the attention of getting everybody to laugh. So I would be the funny one.”

Joe Rogan said he was around seventeen years old then. Later, when he was nineteen, Steve Graham suggested that he really should be a comedian. Rogan said he did not find the idea appealing. He thought that people around that time (the late 80s) were pretty conservative about what they thought was funny.

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Rogan said it was after Samuel Kinison burst onto the scene that he seriously considered stand-up comedy. He also recounted how a friend of his made him laugh so hard by reciting Kinison’s material.

Throwback to when Rogan taught GSP how to kick

Joe Rogan’s popularity as a commentator and podcast host might mask his martial arts skills. However, his skills have been endorsed by the likes of UFC legend Georges St-Pierre. In fact, Rogan once taught GSP the turning sidekick.

During a conversation with GSP, Rogan said GSP’s coach John Danaher asked him for a technician to teach GSP the kick. Rogan, being a Taekwondo practitioner himself, volunteered. GSP revealed Danaher was aware of Rogan’s martial arts credentials and wanted to reel him in to help GSP.

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Joe Rogan’s martial arts skills and comedic skills sprouted at a very young age. His fans must have been truly intrigued listening to his stand-up origin story.