In a candid interview with Jake Noecker, UFC’s Nathaniel Wood opened up about his complex relationship with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and how it impacts both his personal life and professional career.
“I would say that in my life in general, it’s a curse, but having it is almost like a super power that’s detrimental to your mental health, but can really keep you on the right path,”
Wood explained.
The mixed martial artist described how his condition sometimes forces him to maintain his training regimen even when motivation is lacking.
“There’s been times where I don’t want to go training and my OCD is like, ‘if you don’t go training, that’s it, you’re losing this fight,’ and I won’t be able to let that go. So it’s like, get in the gym.”
Despite acknowledging the role OCD has played in his success, Wood made it clear that the disorder has taken a significant toll on his wellbeing.
“I don’t think that I would be where I am today in this sport if I didn’t have OCD, but if you said to me, do you wish that you could have got rid of it and then you’re just happy wherever you’re at? Yeah, I would have got rid of it a long time ago.”
The star also touched on the more serious aspects of living with the condition.
“The stress that it’s caused me has definitely taken some years off my life. And without sounding too dark, if I didn’t have the family I’ve got, I definitely don’t think I would be here today because of it.”
Wood is now using his platform to raise awareness about OCD, hoping to dispel common misconceptions.
“I’m trying to now use the platform to make more of an awareness and try and get people to not just think it’s about being tidy because it really isn’t, you know, it’s crippling.”
Ending on a note of resilience, Wood shared his personal mantra:
“God gives his toughest battles to his toughest soldiers. That’s what I like to live by.”
This revelation offers fans a deeper understanding of the mental challenges athletes face behind the scenes, even as they perform at the highest levels of their sport.
Wood defeated Morgan Charriere by decision at UFC: Brady vs Edwards in London.
