In a candid revelation during a recent podcast episode, long-time UFC commentator Joe Rogan shared his personal struggles with mental well-being when deviating from his regular exercise routine.
“If I take like three days off, I’ll start getting depressed. I will start feeling anxious. I will start feeling weird….and then I’ll have one good hard workout and then I’m like everything’s fine,” Rogan disclosed during JRE #2285.
At 57, Rogan maintains an impressive physique through consistent training. While he has been open about his use of TRT (Testosterone Replacement Therapy), his dedication to physical fitness remains evident. His current regimen includes weightlifting, kettlebells, yoga, and cardio exercises. He follows a structured split routine with resistance training four days weekly, focusing on compound lifts and functional movements.
The veteran commentator also incorporates Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai into his routine, believing in their effectiveness for self-defense. His recovery protocol includes sauna sessions and cold plunge therapy. His diet primarily consists of elk meat, preferably from his own hunting expeditions, supplemented with various vitamins.
Mental health challenges affect people worldwide, including prominent athletes. One notable example is heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, who experienced severe depression in 2015. During his appearance on Rogan’s podcast, Fury shared his struggles openly: “I hit the drugs. I was up all night, partying with women overnight and not coming home. I didn’t care about boxing, I didn’t care about living. I just wanted to die. I was going to have a good time doing it while I was doing it.”
Fury made a remarkable comeback in 2018, eventually reclaiming the heavyweight championship in 2020. He has since become a prominent advocate for mental health awareness, emphasizing the importance of fitness, faith, and purpose.
In the MMA community, former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski recently shared similar experiences, describing how life without training left him feeling unfulfilled. This led to his decision to accept a short-notice bout at UFC 294, a choice that impacted his career trajectory.
Rogan, through his platform, continues to discuss mental health openly, acknowledging its complexity while emphasizing the role of exercise, diet, and sunlight in maintaining psychological well-being. While recognizing the reality of clinical depression, he advocates for holistic approaches to mental health management.
