E84 - Michael Bisping: Having a plan after you get punched in the face

Please note that the summary is generated based on the transcript and may not capture all the nuances or details discussed in the podcast episode.

Summary

# **High Performance with Michael Bisping: The Unwavering Mindset of a Champion**

## **Episode Overview:**

- Michael Bisping, the former UFC middleweight champion and renowned British fighter, joins the podcast to share his insights on high performance, resilience, and the unwavering mindset that propelled him to the pinnacle of his sport.

- Bisping emphasizes the importance of setting goals, believing in oneself, and persevering through setbacks. He recounts instances where he faced devastating knockouts and injuries, yet his determination and refusal to give up ultimately led him to achieve his championship aspirations.

- The discussion delves into the role of self-belief and confidence in achieving success. Bisping stresses the need to find one's unique talent and channel it into a pursuit that aligns with personal strengths. He also emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences and seeking guidance from mentors who can provide support and encouragement.

- Bisping reflects on the challenges of balancing a fighting career with personal life and relationships. He highlights the sacrifices he made, including spending extended periods away from his family, and the toll it took on his mental and emotional well-being.

- The conversation touches upon the mental and emotional aspects of fighting, including the importance of managing anxiety and fear. Bisping shares his experiences with pre-fight nerves and how he learned to channel those emotions into positive energy and focus.

- Bisping emphasizes the value of continuous learning and improvement. He discusses the importance of seeking out new techniques, training methods, and knowledge to stay ahead of the competition. He also highlights the role of adaptability and the ability to adjust strategies based on changing circumstances.

- The episode concludes with Bisping's advice for aspiring athletes and individuals seeking to achieve high performance in their chosen fields. He stresses the importance of setting realistic goals, maintaining a positive mindset, and embracing challenges as opportunities for growth.

## **Key Quotes:**

- "Giving up never occurred to me. It's never easy. And if you're chasing your dreams and chasing your goals, be prepared that there's going to be dark days. It's going to be tough times, but it's going to make it all worth it in the long run." - Michael Bisping

- "I mean, to compete at the top, I mean, obviously, regardless of what you're in, you're always going to start at the bottom. You know what I mean? Like when I started getting into MMA, that was back in 2002. And back then it wasn't a sport that people knew, that people recognised." - Michael Bisping

- "You know, just giving your best in everything you do, I guess. I don't know. Next question. That's a tricky one." - Michael Bisping, on his definition of high performance

- "Everyone thought I was finished. I never gave up. I always believed in myself. I always knew if I made tweaks and I just did this and I just did that. And I did this a little different in training camp, and maybe my nutrition was better, or maybe I ran some extra miles in the morning or got better at Jiu Jitsu, whatever it was, there was always something that I clung to and I never gave up hope." - Michael Bisping

- "I remember that day because of the US audience, the pay-per-view was like four o'clock in the morning. So I was trying to sleep all day and I was trying to take a nap and I couldn't, you know, because all I kept thinking is the last time I stepped into an Octagon with this guy, I got flatlined. I got knocked unconscious and the whole world laughed at me for a few years, to be honest, you know, and, and, and made me incredibly nervous, you know, and then when it came to time to go to the arena and I'm with my coaches and I'm being a little, you know, I was, I was snappy. I was, I was a pleasant guy to be around. I was being a bit of a dick with everyone because I was so nervous, you know, and I didn't even realise it myself and I was snappy and we got in the locker room. And again, I continued, I was kind of being a dick with all my teammates and whatnot because I was so nervous. And then I was on the floor and I was stretching and then I just started laughing. And then one of my coaches says, what are you laughing at? I said, I'm sorry, guys. I said, I've been a total dickhead for the last couple of hours, haven't I? I said, I'm sorry. I said, I've been freaking out that I might lose, you know, my first title defence and in Manchester and everyone's come to see. I said, what's the worst that could happen? I thought I get beat. So fucking what? I've lost before. It probably won't be the last." - Michael Bisping, on his pre-fight anxiety and how he overcame it

- "You know, and as I say, for me, when I was younger, I used to try and wind myself up. I used to try and get angry. Like I go find a quiet room in the locker and I try and psych myself up. I used to try and get angry. Like I go" - Michael Bisping, on his pre-fight routine

- "The physicality, you know, you know, some people are more athletically gifted or whatever, but it all comes down to this, their self-belief, their confidence and their workity, you know, some people are more athletically gifted or whatever, but it all comes down to this, their self-belief, their confidence and their work ethic. You know, how much are they willing to get off their ass and do what other people aren't willing to do? You know, we're not supermen, you know, far from it, but we're just built differently mentally." - Michael Bisping, on the mental attributes of elite fighters

- "It's never easy. And if you're chasing your dreams and chasing your goals, be prepared that there's going to be dark days. It's going to be tough times, but it's going to make it all worth it in the long run." - Michael Bisping, on the importance of perseverance and resilience

# Podcast Episode Summary:

## Introduction:
- Michael Bisping, the only British UFC champion, shares his journey to the top and the challenges he faced along the way.
- He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a cool and collected mindset in high-pressure situations.
- Bisping discusses the psychological warfare involved in trash-talking opponents and how it can provide a mental advantage.

## Controlling Fear and Emotions:
- Bisping highlights the significance of controlling fear and emotions in martial arts.
- He shares techniques he learned from his coach, Jason Perillo, to manage nerves and emotions during training and fights.
- Bisping emphasizes the importance of maintaining composure, avoiding emotional outbursts, and commanding respect in the gym.

## Trash-talking as Psychological Warfare:
- Bisping explains his approach to trash-talking opponents as a form of psychological warfare.
- He acknowledges that it may appear juvenile but views it as a strategy to instill doubt and gain a mental advantage.
- Bisping shares specific instances where trash-talking worked in his favor and helped him win fights.

## Coping with Performance-Enhancing Drugs:
- Bisping discusses the prevalence of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) during his fighting career.
- He expresses his disdain for PEDs and emphasizes the importance of competing fairly and ethically.
- Bisping highlights the mental strength required to resist the temptation to use PEDs and maintain integrity in the sport.

## Avoiding Delusion and Self-Deception:
- Bisping addresses the danger of falling into delusion or self-deception in combat sports.
- He emphasizes the importance of having honest and trustworthy people around who can provide genuine feedback and prevent self-destructive behavior.
- Bisping shares an incident where he ignored medical advice and suffered consequences, highlighting the need to listen to experts and make informed decisions.

## Dealing with Toxic Inner Circles:
- Bisping reflects on his early career when he surrounded himself with negative influences.
- He explains how he recognized the toxicity of that environment and made the difficult decision to break away from it.
- Bisping emphasizes the importance of honesty and self-awareness in identifying unhealthy relationships and making positive changes.

## Advice for Young People Choosing Their Inner Circle:
- Bisping advises young people to be honest with themselves and evaluate their current circles.
- He encourages them to consider whether their current environment aligns with their goals and aspirations.
- Bisping emphasizes the need to break away from unhealthy influences and surround themselves with positive and supportive individuals.

## Parenting and Life Lessons:
- Bisping reflects on how his life experiences have influenced his parenting style.
- He emphasizes the importance of teaching his children values such as honesty, integrity, and perseverance.
- Bisping aims to instill in his children the importance of making their own decisions and learning from their mistakes.

## Conclusion:
- Bisping's journey from Clitheroe to UFC champion serves as an inspiration for anyone facing challenges in their life.
- He emphasizes the significance of mental strength, resilience, and the ability to overcome adversity.
- Bisping's story highlights the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences and making choices that align with one's values and goals.

# Podcast Episode Summary: Michael Bisping: The High Performance Podcast

**Introduction:**
- Michael Bisping, the only British UFC champion, shares his insights on parenting, legacy, and his golden rule for living a high-performance life.

**Parenting:**
- Michael believes in parenting his children with the hindsight of his experiences.
- He tries to instill in them the importance of dreaming big and working hard to achieve their goals.
- He is not a strict disciplinarian and is grateful for his children's easygoing nature.

**Legacy:**
- Michael admits that legacy was not a motivating factor during his fighting career.
- He was focused on living in the moment and achieving his goals.
- Now that he is retired, he appreciates the positive things people say about him and his contributions to the sport.
- He believes that legacy is something that others talk about after you have achieved something significant.

**Golden Rule for Living a High-Performance Life:**
- Michael emphasizes the importance of starting at the bottom and working your way up.
- He advises people to be realistic about their talents and skills and to put in the hard work to improve them.
- He shares his own experience of sleeping in his car while training to become a professional fighter.
- He stresses that the road to success is often long and challenging, but it is worth it in the end.

**Key Insights:**
- Michael believes that everyone has a skill and can achieve success if they are willing to work hard and be persistent.
- He emphasizes the importance of setting realistic goals and being willing to start at the bottom.
- He advises people to embrace challenges and learn from their mistakes.
- He believes that a high-performance life is one that is lived with purpose and passion.

**Overall Message:**
Michael Bisping's journey from a troubled youth to a UFC champion is an inspiring story of resilience and determination. His insights on parenting, legacy, and living a high-performance life offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to achieve their goals and live a fulfilling life.