From Bartender to Elite MMA Coach | Eric Nicksick

From Bartender to Elite MMA Coach | Eric Nicksick

Eric Nicksick never planned on becoming one of the most respected coaches in MMA. He grew up in Las Vegas surrounded by football coaches, learning how to study film, lead a team, master the fundamentals, and separate himself through what Randy Couture later called “things that take no talent”: being early, being prepared, and doing the work. After football, Eric walked into Xtreme Couture before the gym had officially opened. He trained with world-class fighters, became its first paying member, and kept showing up. When Randy Couture asked him to run a single grappling class, Eric said yes. That class grew into a coaching career. Today, Eric has coached UFC champions Francis Ngannou and Sean Strickland and helped build one of MMA’s most respected teams. In this conversation, Eric shares how he learned striking from Ray Sefo, strategy from Randy Couture, and cornering through years of saying yes to every opportunity. He opens up about the danger fighters face, why young athletes need a life beyond competition, how he handles Sean Strickland’s intensity, and the trust he built with Francis Ngannou while helping him confront the wrestling and fear left behind by his first fight with Stipe Miocic. Eric also explains how his friendship with Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has changed the way both men think about leadership, preparation, and coaching at the highest level.  Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com/ [https://www.roka.com/] Code “RIDEOUT” Wild Roman: wildroman.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT15” Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ [https://www.theothersideofhard.com/] Chapters (00:00) Warm Welcome and Hats (01:24) Origin Story Setup (01:52) Football Roots in Vegas (03:02) College Ball and Talent Gaps (05:45) Film Study and Fundamentals (10:30) Leadership and Humility (11:42) Roka Eyewear Ad Break (13:22) First Steps in Combat Sports (15:30) Extreme Couture First Day (18:44) Accidental Coach to Gym Manager (23:28) Learning Striking from Ray Sefo (26:38) Cage Geography Traps (27:45) Tape Study Coaching Edge (28:27) Imposter Syndrome Path (30:18) Learning to Corner (32:06) Saying Yes for Reps (33:41) Big Stage Gratitude (36:19) Skincare Ad Break (37:19) Bad Knockouts Aftermath (38:38) Backup Plans Identity (45:10) Coaching Sean Strickland (49:58) Locker Room Boundaries (50:32) Sparring Intensity Control (52:33) Gym Visitor Etiquette (54:25) Bar Guy Reality Check (56:04) Gym Trash Talk Payback (57:45) Francis Origin Story (59:53) Fear After Stipe Loss (01:02:26) Building Wrestling Confidence (01:06:08) Wild Sparring Partners (01:07:38) Trust and Family Bond (01:11:00) Culture and Gratitude Lessons (01:13:56) Travel and Perspective (01:15:47) Coaching With Joe Mazzulla (01:20:28) Wrap Up and Subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

From $1 Paychecks to World Champion | Regis Prograis

Two-time world champion Regis "Rougarou" Prograis built his career the hard way. He started boxing late, lost everything when Hurricane Katrina destroyed his family's home, sold tickets to fund his early professional career, and eventually fought his way to the top of the sport, becoming a two-time world champion. But behind the belts was a very different story. Regis opens up about paying opponents just to get fights, rebuilding his life after Katrina, career-threatening injuries, management battles, devastating losses, and why he knew his career was coming to an end long before he officially retired. Most importantly, he shares something few elite fighters ever admit: before his final fight against Conor Benn, he didn't want to step into the ring. He was scared, mentally exhausted, and hoping something would happen so he wouldn't have to fight. Instead, he walked anyway. In this conversation, Regis explains why facing that fear ultimately gave him the peace to leave boxing on his own terms. Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com/ [https://www.roka.com/] Code “RIDEOUT” AMP Fitness: amp.ai/rideout [http://amp.ai/rideout]  Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ [https://www.theothersideofhard.com/] Chapters (00:00) Regis Joins the Show (00:24) Retirement and New Combat Plans (01:17) Leaving Boxing on His Terms (02:30) Business Moves After Fighting (04:06) New Orleans Roots and Early Sports (04:53) From Karate to Boxing (08:02) Red Dog Yard Gym Lessons (12:50) Sponsor Break Roka Eyewear (14:30) Katrina and Losing Everything (17:48) Starting Over in Houston (21:11) Savannah Gym and Elite Talent (27:50) Amateur Grind and Confidence (30:40) Sponsor Break Amp Training (31:16) Paying for Tournaments and Jobs (32:41) Family Background and Basketball Love (33:18) Meeting Allen Iverson (34:59) NBA Giants Up Close (35:39) Turning Pro And Paying Opponents (36:50) Ticket Sales Dollar Checks (39:11) Signing With Lou DiBella (40:26) ShoBox Knockout Run (41:54) Eye Injury And Going Broke (47:09) Big Win Joel Diaz Payday (49:22) New Management Wahlberg Berg (53:09) Indongo Statement Win (54:58) World Super Series Explained (57:09) Josh Taylor Fight Setup (58:23) UK Media Mind Games (01:00:49) Fight Night Crowd Influence (01:03:04) Judges And Close Calls (01:04:24) Taylor Confidence And Respect (01:08:07) Life After The Loss (01:11:08) Pandemic And Boxing Purgatory (01:14:40) Back To Champion Status (01:15:41) Movies With Peter (01:21:15) Manager Drama And Lawsuit (01:25:27) Matchroom And Style Adjustments (01:26:33) Haney Loss And Camp Distractions (01:33:33) Aftermath And Catterall Setup (01:35:49) Dropped and Injured (01:36:19) Respect for Catterall (01:36:49) Why Fight in UK (01:37:21) Manager Drama and Bad Deal (01:38:37) Injuries and Decline Signs (01:39:53) Vegas Reset and No Contracts (01:40:51) Conor Benn Netflix Stage (01:41:57) Camp Burnout and Doubt (01:44:07) Fight Day Fear to Switch On (01:49:18) Lessons from the Loss (01:54:34) Peace After Retirement (01:57:29) New Ventures and Businesses (01:58:57) Kids Summer and Fatherhood (01:59:40) Rougarou Mask Memories (02:01:39) Raising Kids Without Pressure (02:03:38) Old School Training Gear (02:04:30) Farewell and Subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

He Started Running in College—Then Made Five Olympic Teams | Abdi Abdirahman

Abdi Abdirahman arrived in the United States as a refugee from Somalia in 1990. He spoke no English, settled with his family in Tucson, Arizona, and went through high school without ever competing as a runner. He did not discover the sport until his sophomore year at Pima Community College. Abdi showed up to his first practice wearing jeans and boots. Despite having no formal training, he finished second on the team. One week later, he ran 15:05 and won the 5,000 meters in his first track meet. That unexpected beginning launched one of the most remarkable careers in American distance running. Abdi became a four-time U.S. champion in the 10,000 meters and represented the United States at five Olympic Games across more than two decades. At 43, he finished third at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and qualified for his fifth Olympic team. He also became the oldest male runner to reach the podium at the New York City Marathon. In this conversation, Abdi shares the story of leaving Somalia during civil war, adjusting to life in America, accidentally discovering his talent, racing legends like Meb Keflezighi and Haile Gebrselassie, and building a professional career that lasted far longer than almost anyone expected. He also opens up about the business behind professional running, the evolution of marathon training and super shoes, making money through prize purses and appearance fees, and why experience becomes so important over 26.2 miles. Today, Abdi divides his time between Tucson and Ethiopia, where he helps coach and mentor the next generation of elite runners. This is a conversation about talent, longevity, humility, and continuing to show up long after other people think your opportunity has passed. Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com/ [https://www.roka.com/] Code “RIDEOUT” Timeline: timeline.com/rideout [http://timeline.com/rideout] Code “RIDEOUT” Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ [https://www.theothersideofhard.com/] Chapters (00:00) Welcome Abdi (01:07) Somalia to Tucson (02:15) Starting Running Late (04:01) Jeans and Boots Debut (06:16) Scholarship to Arizona (08:26) Somalia Childhood (10:17) Sponsor Break (11:55) NCAA to Pro Life (13:11) Olympics and Selection (16:39) Masters Mindset (20:08) Shoe Deals and Money (23:58) Ethiopia and Altitude (27:12) Career Highlights (30:11) Training and Workouts (35:40) Boston 2018 Survival (36:52) Mitochondria Ad Read (37:19) Mitochondria Support Plug (38:25) Cold Rainy Race Start (39:49) Favorite Races Debate (40:44) Marathon Pacing Lessons (45:35) Fueling And Gel Evolution (47:30) Ultras And Recovery Runs (51:03) Biggest Wins And Coaches (54:44) Ethiopia Camp And Rivalries (59:10) Shoe Deals And Super Shoes (01:09:38) Community Book And Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

From Army Airborne to Addiction Recovery | Evan Slaughter

Evan Slaughter grew up in Birmingham, Alabama in a conservative household before addiction changed the course of his life. After battling an early OxyContin addiction and completing rehab, he joined the U.S. Army, earned an Airborne contract, deployed to Afghanistan, and was injured in an IED blast. The pain medication prescribed after that injury pulled him back into addiction. What followed were years of PTSD, arrests, multiple rehabs, and trying to rebuild a life that kept slipping away. Everything changed in 2021. Today, Evan is better known as Fit2Serve, creating comedy videos seen by millions while using humor, honesty, and his own story to help others find hope. His viral skits may make people laugh, but the road that led there was anything but funny. In this conversation, Evan shares his father's addiction, his own battle with OxyContin, Army Airborne school, Afghanistan, PTSD, Veterans Court, recovery, psychedelics, purpose, and why "Fit to Serve" no longer means physical fitness—it means being equipped to serve others. Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com/ [https://www.roka.com/] Code “RIDEOUT” Wild Roman: wildroman.com/rideout [wildroman.com/rideout] Code “RIDEOUT15” Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ [https://www.theothersideofhard.com/] Chapters (00:00) Meet Evan Slaughter (00:40) Growing Up Alabama (01:12) Church Life and Family Upheaval (01:50) Dad’s Addiction and Recovery (05:56) Finding Comedy Early (06:37) Stand-Up Dreams and Fear (12:38) Alpha Dad Skits and Garage Gym (14:30) Sponsor Break Roka (16:11) School Sports and College Detour (19:02) Lifting and Bench Press Talk (31:11) Sponsor Break Wild Roman (32:34) Dropping Out and Training Career (34:17) OxyContin Addiction and Rehab (37:01) Rehab to Enlistment (38:17) Choosing Army Infantry (39:40) Earning 18X Contract (41:41) Airborne School Basics (44:03) First Jump Nerves (46:56) Hard Landings and Mishaps (49:18) Afghanistan IED Blast (53:48) Pain Pills Spiral (56:38) PTSD and Coming Home (58:34) Pharmacy Sting Arrest (01:01:56) Veterans Court and Rehab (01:04:44) TikTok Breakthrough (01:09:03) Staying Sober and Creating (01:10:28) Influencer Advice and Work (01:12:36) Real Jobs Before Social (01:13:53) Time Value Mindset (01:15:28) Psychedelics For Recovery (01:20:28) DMT Lessons And Integration (01:24:10) Money Doesn't Fix Pain (01:26:51) Motorcycle And Simple Joys (01:30:53) Pickleball And Community (01:34:17) Fit To Serve Meaning (01:38:08) Nashville Move And Friends (01:39:00) Brand Deals Strategy (01:44:24) Wrap Up And Where To Find (01:46:16) Podcast Outro And Sponsors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

He Barely Played in College. Then Played 14 NFL Seasons. | Matt Cassel

Matt Cassel's football story shouldn't have happened. He spent his college career at USC backing up two Heisman Trophy winners, Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, throwing just a handful of passes while wondering if he'd ever get a real opportunity. Most players would have transferred. Matt stayed ready. That decision changed his life. After being drafted by the New England Patriots, he learned behind Tom Brady until Brady suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1 of 2008. Overnight, Cassel went from anonymous backup to starting quarterback of one of the most scrutinized teams in sports. He led New England to an 11-5 season, earned a franchise tag, signed a $63 million contract, and went on to play 14 seasons in the NFL. In this conversation, Matt shares what he learned from Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, the pressure of replacing the greatest quarterback of all time, overcoming years without playing, navigating trades, injuries, personal loss, and why being ready before your opportunity arrives changed everything. Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com/ [https://www.roka.com/] Code “RIDEOUT” AMP Fitness: amp.ai/rideout [http://amp.ai/rideout]  Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ [https://www.theothersideofhard.com/] Chapters 00:00) Meet Matt Cassel (00:22) Dad Life and Flag Football (02:00) Leaving LA for Nashville (04:01) Growing Up and Playing Both Ways (05:01) Quarterback Jumps in Speed (07:40) NFL Film Study and Prep (08:32) Sponsor Break Roka (10:45) USC Teammates and Practice Wars (12:59) Tom Brady as Mentor (14:03) Stuck Behind Heisman Winners (16:46) Tight End Detour and Baseball Reset (18:24) Owen Hanson and Prison Reality (20:58) Pro Day and Wonderlic Chaos (24:33) Reading Defenses Like Chess (26:27) Randy Moss Freak Talent (27:49) Standing Tall in the Pocket (31:59) Formation Tricks and Counters (34:25) Sponsor Break Amp Training (35:28) Pro Day Lights Out to Draft Buzz (37:55) Selling the Backup Story (39:16) Finding an Agent (42:08) NFL Workouts Breakdown (43:55) Belichick Draft Call (46:23) Draft Day Celebration (49:48) Rookie Arrival in Foxborough (53:21) Patriots Culture Shock (56:22) Rookie Pay and Perks (59:51) Family and Dad’s Struggles (01:02:08) Dad’s Death During Season (01:05:59) Rookie Hazing and Dinner (01:11:53) Learning from Brady (01:13:07) Brady Work Ethic (01:13:56) Quarterback Perfection (01:15:44) Brady Injury Moment (01:17:10) Thrown Into Action (01:18:40) Bomb To Moss (01:19:52) Overnight Spotlight (01:22:29) Media And Sponsors (01:25:31) First Start Vs Jets (01:27:23) Brady Off Field Kindness (01:30:08) Franchise Tag Shock (01:33:30) Trade And Big Deal (01:36:00) New Life In KC (01:38:22) Coordinator Quits Chaos (01:43:38) Pressure And Mindset (01:47:05) Chiefs Turnaround (01:49:02) Appendix Emergency (01:51:21) Playing Post Surgery (01:52:34) Bernard Pollard Stories (01:55:26) Minnesota And London Start (01:58:01) Bridgewater Mentorship (01:59:29) Foot Injury Nightmare (02:04:36) Traded To Dallas Chaos (02:07:50) Cowboys Culture Shock (02:09:15) Facilities And Gear (02:13:12) Game Balls And Deflategate (02:20:28) Life After Football (02:23:24) Final Thanks And Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]