1 00:00:04,680 --> 00:00:07,200 Speaker 1: Hi guys, Welcome back to Post run High. Today I'm 2 00:00:07,200 --> 00:00:09,559 Speaker 1: sharing a conversation I had a little while back with 3 00:00:09,640 --> 00:00:13,440 Speaker 1: Tom Aspinall, who is the interim UFC Heavyweight Champion. Tom 4 00:00:13,440 --> 00:00:15,800 Speaker 1: and I ran a few miles through Midtown Manhattan and 5 00:00:15,840 --> 00:00:18,880 Speaker 1: then sat down to record this conversation at the hotel 6 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:21,680 Speaker 1: where the fighters stay, and we actually filmed in the 7 00:00:21,760 --> 00:00:24,760 Speaker 1: same room where the wayans happened just a few hours 8 00:00:24,800 --> 00:00:27,840 Speaker 1: before the UFC three oh nine way ins, so the 9 00:00:27,960 --> 00:00:30,960 Speaker 1: room definitely had a calm before the storm type of 10 00:00:31,120 --> 00:00:34,240 Speaker 1: energy with Madison Square Garden gearing up for the John 11 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:37,320 Speaker 1: Jones versus depe Meo Titch fight. And over the years 12 00:00:37,360 --> 00:00:39,800 Speaker 1: I have had the chance to interview all kinds of athletes, 13 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:43,680 Speaker 1: from recreational runners to olympians to pros in a range 14 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:47,120 Speaker 1: of sports, and I have to say UFC fighters are 15 00:00:47,240 --> 00:00:51,520 Speaker 1: quickly becoming some of my favorite athletes to future. Every 16 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 1: time I've had the opportunity to chat with somebody from UFC, 17 00:00:55,040 --> 00:00:58,880 Speaker 1: I am in awe by how focused, disciplined, and humble 18 00:00:58,920 --> 00:01:01,400 Speaker 1: they are. This conversation with Tom was special for a 19 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:04,080 Speaker 1: lot of reasons, but one that really stood out was 20 00:01:04,080 --> 00:01:07,360 Speaker 1: having his dad, Andy Aspinall there with us. Andy's not 21 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:10,440 Speaker 1: just Tom's dad, he's his coach, his training partner, and 22 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:13,679 Speaker 1: his biggest supporter. He's been there since day one, helping 23 00:01:13,720 --> 00:01:17,000 Speaker 1: shape Tom's entire career. And if you're a UFC or 24 00:01:17,080 --> 00:01:20,960 Speaker 1: Fighting fan, you know how much grit and sacrifice it 25 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:23,120 Speaker 1: takes to get to the top. Seeing them together and 26 00:01:23,200 --> 00:01:25,840 Speaker 1: learning about their dynamic brought back so many memories for 27 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:27,880 Speaker 1: me because I grew up with a dad like that too, 28 00:01:27,920 --> 00:01:30,280 Speaker 1: who was always showing up, running drolls with us in 29 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:32,600 Speaker 1: the backyard and pushing us to be our best in 30 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:35,200 Speaker 1: anything we did, so I know what that kind of 31 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:38,720 Speaker 1: father child or parent child support looks and feels like. 32 00:01:38,840 --> 00:01:40,920 Speaker 1: And on top of that, my family is full of 33 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:43,240 Speaker 1: UFC fans, So the second they found out that I'd 34 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:46,360 Speaker 1: be running and sitting down with Tom Aspinall, my phone 35 00:01:46,360 --> 00:01:48,920 Speaker 1: did not stop blowing up. Also, just to note, this 36 00:01:49,000 --> 00:01:50,800 Speaker 1: was one of the very first times I did a 37 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 1: full sit down interview after a run, So if you've 38 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:56,120 Speaker 1: been listening to post run high every week, you might 39 00:01:56,320 --> 00:01:59,120 Speaker 1: notice how much I've grown since this one. But whether 40 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:01,880 Speaker 1: you've been following Tom's career for a while or you're 41 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 1: just getting introduced to him. Now, I think you'll take 42 00:02:04,360 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 1: something meaningful away from this episode. Let's get into it. 43 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:20,880 Speaker 1: Tom Aspin all, welcome to post R and Hi, thank you. 44 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:21,919 Speaker 1: How are you feeling. 45 00:02:22,400 --> 00:02:25,760 Speaker 2: I'm quite sweating actually, surprisingly. 46 00:02:25,400 --> 00:02:26,480 Speaker 1: You were wearing a lot of clothes. 47 00:02:26,600 --> 00:02:27,799 Speaker 2: I was, yeah, yeah, no, it's good. 48 00:02:27,840 --> 00:02:29,680 Speaker 3: I think the people, the people stressed me out more 49 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:31,840 Speaker 3: than nations trying to not squish anybody. 50 00:02:31,960 --> 00:02:34,200 Speaker 1: Yeah. For a reference, Tom and I just filmed a 51 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:36,760 Speaker 1: running interview show episode, so make sure you go to 52 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:39,800 Speaker 1: my Instagram and TikTok and YouTube to go check that out. 53 00:02:40,000 --> 00:02:41,800 Speaker 1: What is the big fight this weekend? Tell me about it? 54 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:42,960 Speaker 2: So the big fight is. 55 00:02:44,440 --> 00:02:48,520 Speaker 3: Two of the best UFC fighters ever fighting each other. 56 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:51,840 Speaker 3: So it's quite a big deal. These guys, they're getting 57 00:02:51,840 --> 00:02:53,320 Speaker 3: a little bit older now, but I'm not going to 58 00:02:53,360 --> 00:02:53,959 Speaker 3: say anything bad. 59 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:56,679 Speaker 2: One guy is the best heavyweight ever. 60 00:02:57,080 --> 00:03:00,320 Speaker 3: The other guy is potentially the best UFC fighter toever fight. 61 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:02,239 Speaker 3: So this is quite you know, this has happened a 62 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:04,120 Speaker 3: couple of years too late in my opinion, but it's 63 00:03:04,160 --> 00:03:06,880 Speaker 3: still a big fight. So uh yeah, big big fight 64 00:03:06,919 --> 00:03:07,400 Speaker 3: this weekend. 65 00:03:07,680 --> 00:03:11,079 Speaker 1: What goes into two fighters coming together and agreeing to fight? 66 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:13,400 Speaker 1: Is it like a set thing that UFC plans, or 67 00:03:13,480 --> 00:03:15,600 Speaker 1: is it the two fighters decide to face off a 68 00:03:15,639 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 1: little bit of both, like. 69 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:17,840 Speaker 2: If you can. 70 00:03:18,200 --> 00:03:20,880 Speaker 3: So if you've got like a beef with somebody that 71 00:03:21,040 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 3: is obviously going to sway the UFC a little bit 72 00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:25,240 Speaker 3: to like try and get them on side a little 73 00:03:25,240 --> 00:03:29,280 Speaker 3: bit more like if fans are invested, the UC generally 74 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:30,119 Speaker 3: is invested. 75 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:31,600 Speaker 2: I mean it's a business at the end of the day. 76 00:03:31,720 --> 00:03:33,720 Speaker 3: Like if it's going to make money, then the use 77 00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:36,560 Speaker 3: are usually all for it. So a little bit of both, 78 00:03:36,640 --> 00:03:38,240 Speaker 3: or sometimes it can just be not like a lot 79 00:03:38,240 --> 00:03:40,800 Speaker 3: of the times I've just been sat there and I 80 00:03:40,800 --> 00:03:42,240 Speaker 3: get a phone call and it's like this is who 81 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:44,280 Speaker 3: you're fighting, and I'll just be like okay, And that's 82 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:44,840 Speaker 3: how it works. 83 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:47,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, And for a reference for everybody listening, Tom is 84 00:03:47,440 --> 00:03:48,880 Speaker 1: a professional MMA fighter. 85 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:49,200 Speaker 2: Yep. 86 00:03:49,280 --> 00:03:51,400 Speaker 1: You joined UFC in twenty twenty. So I want you 87 00:03:51,440 --> 00:03:53,640 Speaker 1: to kind of take us back, tell us about your childhood, 88 00:03:53,640 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 1: what you were like growing up. 89 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 3: I've got quite a unique situation in terms of like 90 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:02,000 Speaker 3: my me being involved in martial arts like a family 91 00:04:02,040 --> 00:04:04,840 Speaker 3: thing because my dad was like involved in martial arts 92 00:04:04,880 --> 00:04:06,760 Speaker 3: for as long as I can remember. He is one 93 00:04:06,760 --> 00:04:10,120 Speaker 3: of the first UKBJJ black belts, if that means anything 94 00:04:10,120 --> 00:04:12,160 Speaker 3: to anyone listening or watching. I would go to the 95 00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:13,920 Speaker 3: gym with my dad, but it was way different then, 96 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:16,960 Speaker 3: like MMA didn't really exist in the UK at least, 97 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:22,000 Speaker 3: or like kids combat sports didn't really exist that much 98 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:24,039 Speaker 3: in MMA at the time. And then it was like 99 00:04:24,120 --> 00:04:26,080 Speaker 3: I trained a little bit, and then I'd be too 100 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:28,240 Speaker 3: small or whatever. There was no kids, and then so 101 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:30,360 Speaker 3: I'd always just be in the gym just like hanging 102 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:32,919 Speaker 3: out basically. And then when I got old enough, I 103 00:04:32,920 --> 00:04:34,800 Speaker 3: got a little bit bigger, started training with the adults 104 00:04:34,839 --> 00:04:36,840 Speaker 3: and stuff, and then it was just like a natural progression, 105 00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:40,320 Speaker 3: like by the time realistically, like when I started realizing 106 00:04:40,360 --> 00:04:44,120 Speaker 3: that people started doing that rather than like a regular job, 107 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:46,719 Speaker 3: like people were actually getting paid in doing that full time, 108 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:49,960 Speaker 3: as opposed to like, I don't know, working in office, 109 00:04:50,120 --> 00:04:53,080 Speaker 3: working in I don't know, it was a mechanic or something, 110 00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:57,279 Speaker 3: like I wanted to do that rather than a regular job. 111 00:04:57,560 --> 00:05:00,360 Speaker 1: You started fighting, I read when you were seven, right, 112 00:05:00,640 --> 00:05:02,600 Speaker 1: or that's when you kind of got started training. 113 00:05:02,320 --> 00:05:03,200 Speaker 2: When I was seven, right. 114 00:05:03,279 --> 00:05:05,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's when it's difficult to say, Like I say, 115 00:05:05,240 --> 00:05:09,240 Speaker 3: when I really started training properly because I was like 116 00:05:09,279 --> 00:05:13,080 Speaker 3: always in the gym, But I wasn't like seriously seriously 117 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:16,200 Speaker 3: training until I was probably like thirteen fourteen, I don't think. 118 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:18,800 Speaker 1: But thirteen fourteen's young to start seriously training quite young. 119 00:05:18,920 --> 00:05:22,000 Speaker 1: Did you have like a traditional high school experience, like 120 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:23,960 Speaker 1: were you in school? Were you homeschooled? 121 00:05:24,080 --> 00:05:24,159 Speaker 3: No? 122 00:05:24,160 --> 00:05:24,799 Speaker 2: And I was in school. 123 00:05:24,880 --> 00:05:27,280 Speaker 3: Yeah, I was just like a I had like a 124 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:31,960 Speaker 3: regular North West of England childhood, okay, which is like 125 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:35,080 Speaker 3: working class, you know, just doing regular stuff that the 126 00:05:35,120 --> 00:05:35,640 Speaker 3: other kids did. 127 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:37,240 Speaker 2: I was no different to anybody else basically. 128 00:05:37,320 --> 00:05:39,480 Speaker 1: And what was your training regimen like back then. 129 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:40,280 Speaker 2: I was still training. 130 00:05:40,440 --> 00:05:42,080 Speaker 3: I was always serious, Like I always trained like a 131 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:45,880 Speaker 3: professional even like before, so I was always very serious. 132 00:05:45,880 --> 00:05:47,760 Speaker 3: I was always like training once a day at least 133 00:05:47,839 --> 00:05:50,120 Speaker 3: until I was like till las school till I was 134 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:52,480 Speaker 3: eighteen nineteen, and then I started training like twice a 135 00:05:52,560 --> 00:05:54,279 Speaker 3: day and taking it really seriously. 136 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:56,440 Speaker 1: Was being a part of UFC always a big goal? 137 00:05:57,160 --> 00:05:58,920 Speaker 2: This where I am now was the goal since I 138 00:05:58,960 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 2: was like twelve years old. 139 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:01,960 Speaker 1: What has it been like having your dad in your 140 00:06:02,000 --> 00:06:03,839 Speaker 1: court ever since you were young with the sport? 141 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 3: Well, I don't really know it any other way, to 142 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:08,520 Speaker 3: be honest, But I've said it a million times before, 143 00:06:08,760 --> 00:06:10,800 Speaker 3: and anybody who's watched other interviews and that will know 144 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:13,560 Speaker 3: about this. But like if, for example, we finished this 145 00:06:13,760 --> 00:06:16,600 Speaker 3: podcast now and we went to the hotel and my 146 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:18,400 Speaker 3: dad said, listen, I think you should just leave it there, 147 00:06:18,520 --> 00:06:21,040 Speaker 3: don't fight anymore, I'll be like, Okay, no problem. 148 00:06:21,160 --> 00:06:21,840 Speaker 1: And why is that? 149 00:06:21,960 --> 00:06:24,480 Speaker 3: Just because I trusted that much, I wouldn't trust anybody 150 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:27,240 Speaker 3: else to do it. So yeah, that's just it's just 151 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:29,240 Speaker 3: mine and my dad to think, like as long as 152 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 3: we're both interested, we'll do it. But when one of 153 00:06:31,120 --> 00:06:33,680 Speaker 3: us isn't interested anymore, we'll probably both stop it. And 154 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 3: that's just like I said, I don't know it any 155 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:37,719 Speaker 3: other way, So it's difficult to say what it would 156 00:06:37,720 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 3: be like doing it any other way. But that's that's 157 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:42,880 Speaker 3: the way that I'm into it, Like we have that 158 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:43,800 Speaker 3: thing between us. 159 00:06:43,920 --> 00:06:46,039 Speaker 1: How long into your life as a kid was your 160 00:06:46,120 --> 00:06:47,599 Speaker 1: dad fighting? Like when did he stop? 161 00:06:48,200 --> 00:06:50,440 Speaker 3: Just like when I was getting into it really so 162 00:06:51,480 --> 00:06:54,120 Speaker 3: say it wasn't like it was difficult then because we're 163 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:58,559 Speaker 3: talking like twenty five, twenty four, twenty three years ago. 164 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:01,080 Speaker 3: Like being a professional m may fight in the UK 165 00:07:01,240 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 3: wasn't really a thing, so it was just like you 166 00:07:03,279 --> 00:07:05,960 Speaker 3: would compete in different aspects of me mad that only 167 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:08,480 Speaker 3: really became a thing in the UK at least maybe 168 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:11,000 Speaker 3: like the early two thousands at the earliest, maybe a 169 00:07:11,040 --> 00:07:14,080 Speaker 3: little bit later, so we were a little bit behind 170 00:07:14,120 --> 00:07:17,280 Speaker 3: in terms of when mma really got big in the UK. 171 00:07:17,400 --> 00:07:19,160 Speaker 1: And now you have a family of your own, right 172 00:07:19,200 --> 00:07:21,840 Speaker 1: if that's three kids or any of your kids interested 173 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 1: in fighting or taking a liking to it a little bit. 174 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:25,840 Speaker 2: I mean, my kids are pretty young. 175 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:28,120 Speaker 3: My kids are My oldest one's eight, and then I've 176 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:31,760 Speaker 3: got twins that are five, so it's early days. My 177 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:36,400 Speaker 3: oldest kids like now really into football soccer, so that's. 178 00:07:36,040 --> 00:07:36,560 Speaker 2: That's his thing. 179 00:07:37,440 --> 00:07:40,000 Speaker 3: But who knows. I would never push my kids into fighting. 180 00:07:40,920 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 3: They'll always train because I want them to be able 181 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 3: to defend themselves. There's some strange people out there and 182 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:46,600 Speaker 3: you never know what's going to happen. But to fight 183 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:49,600 Speaker 3: professionally you have to have like a level of drive 184 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 3: and commitment that I wouldn't try and force on somebody 185 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:54,640 Speaker 3: because realistically, if you don't want to do it yourself, 186 00:07:54,960 --> 00:07:56,720 Speaker 3: it's never going to get done. Like you can't push 187 00:07:56,760 --> 00:07:59,679 Speaker 3: someone else to fight. Somebody could take so much mental 188 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:00,720 Speaker 3: prefers operation as well. 189 00:08:04,880 --> 00:08:07,280 Speaker 1: Really quickly, I just wanted to say thank you so 190 00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:10,240 Speaker 1: much for listening. Your support means so much to me. 191 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 1: And if you're enjoying the episode with Tom, make sure 192 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:15,760 Speaker 1: to follow the show so you never miss a conversation. 193 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:21,240 Speaker 1: All right, back to the episode. Is it true that 194 00:08:21,240 --> 00:08:23,400 Speaker 1: there's like training camps that you guys will go to 195 00:08:23,560 --> 00:08:24,840 Speaker 1: for like two months at. 196 00:08:24,760 --> 00:08:28,400 Speaker 3: A time in my perspective, and everybody's different, so MMA 197 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 3: is like very subjective. Everyone is a very individual sport. 198 00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:34,920 Speaker 3: Everyone does things differently. Like for me, I think you 199 00:08:34,960 --> 00:08:37,240 Speaker 3: only need to do that if you're very distracted at home. 200 00:08:37,360 --> 00:08:39,600 Speaker 3: My life just basically stays the same, but I just 201 00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:41,720 Speaker 3: train more intense, Like I have loads of good guys 202 00:08:41,720 --> 00:08:44,200 Speaker 3: who can train with at home. Yeah, I definitely go 203 00:08:44,320 --> 00:08:46,320 Speaker 3: other places sometimes to train. That we were in Holland 204 00:08:46,360 --> 00:08:47,679 Speaker 3: a couple of weeks ago where we just went to 205 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:50,760 Speaker 3: train to help prepare for this, But I train at home. 206 00:08:50,880 --> 00:08:52,640 Speaker 2: I like being at home, so that's good for me. 207 00:08:52,760 --> 00:08:54,280 Speaker 1: Can you walk us through, like what does a week 208 00:08:54,280 --> 00:08:56,600 Speaker 1: in your life of training look like? Leading up to a. 209 00:08:56,559 --> 00:08:59,679 Speaker 3: Match between ten and twelve times a week probably, so 210 00:09:00,720 --> 00:09:01,800 Speaker 3: you're doing a lot of doubles. 211 00:09:02,240 --> 00:09:03,360 Speaker 2: I do doubles most days. 212 00:09:03,400 --> 00:09:05,680 Speaker 3: Wow, depends what you class is training, because somedays, like 213 00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:08,080 Speaker 3: for example, Wednesday, I have like an easier day because 214 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:11,120 Speaker 3: it's like midweek. I'll like run some drills in the morning, 215 00:09:11,840 --> 00:09:14,320 Speaker 3: like just like drills with a partner and stuff. And 216 00:09:14,360 --> 00:09:16,360 Speaker 3: then in the evening I'll either do like a really 217 00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:19,760 Speaker 3: light run or like a crow like cross trainer bike 218 00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:22,480 Speaker 3: or whatever, and I'll do some stretching. So it depends 219 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:24,439 Speaker 3: that if you class that as like a session or 220 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:26,199 Speaker 3: active active recovery. 221 00:09:26,280 --> 00:09:28,520 Speaker 1: Do you feel like training is something that you genuinely 222 00:09:28,520 --> 00:09:30,120 Speaker 1: look forward to or do you think it just takes 223 00:09:30,160 --> 00:09:32,880 Speaker 1: a lot of grit and perseverance. I'll look forward to it, 224 00:09:32,920 --> 00:09:33,760 Speaker 1: you look forward to Yeah? 225 00:09:33,800 --> 00:09:34,520 Speaker 2: I love it. Love training. 226 00:09:34,559 --> 00:09:34,719 Speaker 3: Yeah. 227 00:09:34,800 --> 00:09:37,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'll train forever. I'll train the rest of my life. Yeah. 228 00:09:37,640 --> 00:09:40,800 Speaker 3: I mean, don't get me wrong, I will not train 229 00:09:41,000 --> 00:09:43,960 Speaker 3: intents every day like it no, to be honest, if 230 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:46,360 Speaker 3: I've got a fight within like the next eight ten weeks, 231 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:49,000 Speaker 3: I'll train intents every day near enough. 232 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:49,800 Speaker 2: Within reason. 233 00:09:50,000 --> 00:09:52,040 Speaker 3: When it gets tough is when you're like six weeks 234 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:54,640 Speaker 3: out and you've got to, you know, kill yourself every session. 235 00:09:54,720 --> 00:09:55,160 Speaker 2: That's tough. 236 00:09:55,280 --> 00:10:00,800 Speaker 1: Speaking about fights themselves. Losses in MMA fighting are very public, 237 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:03,960 Speaker 1: so I'm curious, like, what is something that you've really 238 00:10:04,080 --> 00:10:07,200 Speaker 1: learned from the sport, whether it be in victory or 239 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:08,040 Speaker 1: in a defeat. 240 00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:10,160 Speaker 3: I think you've got to stay as humble as possible because, 241 00:10:10,200 --> 00:10:13,000 Speaker 3: like you say, losses, everyone's going to see them, and 242 00:10:13,040 --> 00:10:13,520 Speaker 3: the more. 243 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:15,200 Speaker 2: Popular you get, like you've got a lot of eyes 244 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:15,400 Speaker 2: on you. 245 00:10:15,559 --> 00:10:17,600 Speaker 3: Like if I'm going in there fighting somebody, I have 246 00:10:17,679 --> 00:10:21,719 Speaker 3: literally like tens of millions of people watching. Nobody wants 247 00:10:21,720 --> 00:10:23,200 Speaker 3: to get beat up in front of tens of millions 248 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:26,959 Speaker 3: of people. So I just try and be humble in 249 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:27,800 Speaker 3: victory and defeat. 250 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:28,240 Speaker 2: If I can't. 251 00:10:28,240 --> 00:10:29,679 Speaker 3: It's not always that easy, do you know what I mean? 252 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:31,800 Speaker 3: Sometimes you get opponents with they're annoying. 253 00:10:32,160 --> 00:10:33,600 Speaker 1: How do you cancel out that noise? 254 00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:35,160 Speaker 2: With great difficulty? 255 00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:37,160 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, I feel like you have to be 256 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:37,960 Speaker 1: so mentally tough. 257 00:10:38,040 --> 00:10:39,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think so, I think you do. 258 00:10:39,440 --> 00:10:41,400 Speaker 3: I think it's just one of those things where the 259 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:43,959 Speaker 3: more you do something, the better you get. And I've 260 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:45,720 Speaker 3: done it quite a lot of times, and you just 261 00:10:45,760 --> 00:10:48,160 Speaker 3: become more like mentally resilient. 262 00:10:48,400 --> 00:10:49,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, you get your reps in. 263 00:10:49,360 --> 00:10:50,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, get your reps in. 264 00:10:50,240 --> 00:11:04,320 Speaker 1: Exactly what advice would you have for young fighters if you're. 265 00:11:04,160 --> 00:11:07,080 Speaker 3: Not enjoying it, do something else, because it's a long road. 266 00:11:07,440 --> 00:11:09,120 Speaker 2: That would be my best advice. 267 00:11:09,360 --> 00:11:11,120 Speaker 3: Most of the people who get involved in the sport 268 00:11:11,280 --> 00:11:13,640 Speaker 3: make zero money out of it. So if you're going 269 00:11:13,679 --> 00:11:15,280 Speaker 3: to do it, make sure it's something that you're going 270 00:11:15,360 --> 00:11:17,080 Speaker 3: to enjoy because you're going to spend a long period 271 00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:19,920 Speaker 3: of your life doing it and it's going to be 272 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:20,920 Speaker 3: miserable at times. 273 00:11:21,040 --> 00:11:23,760 Speaker 1: At what point would you say into your fighting career 274 00:11:23,800 --> 00:11:25,640 Speaker 1: were you able to make a career out of it. 275 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:27,120 Speaker 3: It's a tough one because a lot of people they 276 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:28,840 Speaker 3: think like the be all and end all is like 277 00:11:28,880 --> 00:11:32,360 Speaker 3: getting to the US, Like people think when you're in 278 00:11:32,360 --> 00:11:35,360 Speaker 3: the US you financially stable, and quite frankly, that isn't 279 00:11:35,400 --> 00:11:38,000 Speaker 3: the case. When you get like in the top ten 280 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:40,480 Speaker 3: or at least top five, that's when you start making 281 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:42,400 Speaker 3: more life changing money. 282 00:11:42,559 --> 00:11:46,480 Speaker 2: Like now I'm I'm like financially secure now. 283 00:11:46,679 --> 00:11:48,839 Speaker 1: I feel like a lot of MMA fighting comes with 284 00:11:49,440 --> 00:11:54,360 Speaker 1: maybe some misconceptions or some stereotypes about fighters. Which ones 285 00:11:54,400 --> 00:11:56,160 Speaker 1: would you say are true not true? 286 00:11:56,520 --> 00:11:57,959 Speaker 2: Again, it's very subjective. 287 00:11:58,000 --> 00:12:02,040 Speaker 3: Ever, may everyone's very different, so I think definitely some 288 00:12:02,080 --> 00:12:04,280 Speaker 3: serial types would apply to some people and they wouldn't 289 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:07,720 Speaker 3: to others. Like, for example, generally speaking, I'm not a 290 00:12:07,800 --> 00:12:09,040 Speaker 3: very confrontational person. 291 00:12:09,120 --> 00:12:10,079 Speaker 2: I try and avoid that. 292 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:10,520 Speaker 1: You're not. 293 00:12:10,760 --> 00:12:11,480 Speaker 2: No, I try not to. 294 00:12:11,640 --> 00:12:13,400 Speaker 1: We were saying this in the running interviews. You're very 295 00:12:13,440 --> 00:12:14,560 Speaker 1: like jolly upbeat. 296 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:16,520 Speaker 3: I mean not all the time, but I know some 297 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:18,840 Speaker 3: fighters are very confrontational, so it's difficult to say. 298 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:20,920 Speaker 1: Well, I feel like the misconception for me that I 299 00:12:21,080 --> 00:12:23,880 Speaker 1: said to you during the running interview was I always 300 00:12:23,920 --> 00:12:26,640 Speaker 1: thought that there's a little bit of like animosity, but 301 00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:27,400 Speaker 1: you said there's. 302 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:29,320 Speaker 3: Not it all yet I go like emotionless. That's that's 303 00:12:29,320 --> 00:12:31,600 Speaker 3: my approach to it. But as I keep saying, it's 304 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:34,520 Speaker 3: very subjective. Some guys like to get angry, some guys 305 00:12:34,559 --> 00:12:36,280 Speaker 3: like to get really upset. For me, it doesn't work. 306 00:12:36,679 --> 00:12:38,840 Speaker 3: But I don't know. I think the fact that a 307 00:12:38,840 --> 00:12:43,480 Speaker 3: lot of mem fighters are maybe not too intelligent, and 308 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:45,640 Speaker 3: there's a lot of intelligent and MEME fighters out there 309 00:12:45,679 --> 00:12:48,280 Speaker 3: actually like some of the nicest people that you could 310 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:52,360 Speaker 3: ever meet, do MMA generally because their egos are in check, 311 00:12:52,520 --> 00:12:54,719 Speaker 3: Like they're getting beat up regular, whether that be in 312 00:12:54,800 --> 00:12:57,079 Speaker 3: the octagon or in the gym, like we get beat 313 00:12:57,160 --> 00:12:58,160 Speaker 3: up on a regular basis. 314 00:12:58,160 --> 00:13:02,480 Speaker 1: So it's a humbling yeah, very exactly. All right, Well, 315 00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:04,719 Speaker 1: looking down the road, what are you most excited for 316 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:05,800 Speaker 1: and what do you have coming up? 317 00:13:06,000 --> 00:13:08,720 Speaker 3: So, as we mentioned earlier, I am like an alternate 318 00:13:08,720 --> 00:13:10,280 Speaker 3: for this weekend, which is the first time I've ever 319 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:11,240 Speaker 3: done this in my life. 320 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:14,480 Speaker 2: So I'm still a bit like, am I going to fight? 321 00:13:14,559 --> 00:13:14,880 Speaker 2: I'm not. 322 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:17,200 Speaker 3: I think this chances are quite small, but I still 323 00:13:17,240 --> 00:13:23,040 Speaker 3: can't fully relax until until Saturday. So hopefully I'm not 324 00:13:23,080 --> 00:13:25,160 Speaker 3: going to fight this weekend, but I'll be ready if 325 00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:29,040 Speaker 3: I do. I'm gonna fight next year, so I want 326 00:13:29,040 --> 00:13:32,319 Speaker 3: to fight like March April next year. I want to 327 00:13:33,160 --> 00:13:35,880 Speaker 3: keep being champion, of course, win a little bit more, 328 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 3: and just have like more good experiences, like I love fighting, 329 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:44,680 Speaker 3: I love traveling the world as well and doing that stuff. Yeah, 330 00:13:44,720 --> 00:13:46,680 Speaker 3: and just keep having a positive experience is what. 331 00:13:46,679 --> 00:13:47,080 Speaker 2: I want to do. 332 00:13:47,240 --> 00:13:50,080 Speaker 1: And I am not a UFC expert by any means. 333 00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:52,280 Speaker 1: And I know You've probably had to talk about this 334 00:13:52,360 --> 00:13:56,000 Speaker 1: a lot in recent interviews, but I'm curious about John 335 00:13:56,120 --> 00:13:58,840 Speaker 1: Jones Is it true that he keeps ducking a fight 336 00:13:58,880 --> 00:13:59,080 Speaker 1: with you. 337 00:13:59,360 --> 00:14:01,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, he's trying to not fight me. I don't know 338 00:14:01,200 --> 00:14:02,440 Speaker 3: why that is. You'll have to ask him. 339 00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:04,480 Speaker 1: Should we challenge him to fight you on this podcast? 340 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:08,120 Speaker 3: I'm not issue. I mean, I've challenged him enough. There's 341 00:14:08,160 --> 00:14:10,080 Speaker 3: only so much I can do. But he's got his Uh, 342 00:14:10,120 --> 00:14:11,720 Speaker 3: he's got his fight coming up this weekend. 343 00:14:11,760 --> 00:14:14,000 Speaker 2: So let him do his thing and then we'll see 344 00:14:14,040 --> 00:14:14,760 Speaker 2: what happens after that. 345 00:14:14,800 --> 00:14:17,240 Speaker 1: All right, And I like to end my podcast with 346 00:14:17,280 --> 00:14:19,800 Speaker 1: the manifestation. We kind of just did a little bit 347 00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:22,360 Speaker 1: of a manifestation, but twenty twenty five, what are some 348 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:23,600 Speaker 1: goals that you have for yourself? 349 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:24,400 Speaker 2: Still unbeaten? 350 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:28,680 Speaker 3: That's what I'd like to do with the belt, with 351 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:32,280 Speaker 3: a lot more money and healthy. 352 00:14:32,360 --> 00:14:34,720 Speaker 2: I'd like to be healthy. I think that's a were 353 00:14:34,760 --> 00:14:35,720 Speaker 2: you're in a dangerous sport. 354 00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:39,160 Speaker 3: That's something that you consider, or at least I consider, 355 00:14:39,240 --> 00:14:41,320 Speaker 3: especially as a getting a bit older. I'm like, I 356 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:44,160 Speaker 3: want to finish the sport and come out of it 357 00:14:44,680 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 3: with everything intact. 358 00:14:47,280 --> 00:14:48,000 Speaker 2: That that would be good. 359 00:14:48,120 --> 00:14:51,760 Speaker 3: Like unbeaten for another year with the title and healthy, 360 00:14:51,840 --> 00:14:52,440 Speaker 3: that would be nice. 361 00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:54,520 Speaker 1: I love it. Well, thank you so much for sharing 362 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:57,280 Speaker 1: your journey with us today. You're amazing and I can't 363 00:14:57,280 --> 00:14:59,320 Speaker 1: wait to see what's next. Thank you, Thank you guys 364 00:14:59,320 --> 00:15:01,520 Speaker 1: so much for the listening to today's episode. I hope 365 00:15:01,520 --> 00:15:04,080 Speaker 1: this conversation gave you a deeper look at who Tom 366 00:15:04,160 --> 00:15:07,160 Speaker 1: aspinall is, not just as a fighter, but as a person, 367 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:10,720 Speaker 1: a son, a dad, and someone who's built his career 368 00:15:10,840 --> 00:15:14,480 Speaker 1: with grit, heart and a really solid foundation. If you're 369 00:15:14,560 --> 00:15:16,880 Speaker 1: enjoying post run high, it would mean the world to 370 00:15:16,920 --> 00:15:20,280 Speaker 1: me if you rated, reviewed, and shared this episode with 371 00:15:20,400 --> 00:15:23,320 Speaker 1: someone who might enjoy it. We've got more conversations coming 372 00:15:23,400 --> 00:15:25,840 Speaker 1: that I can't wait for you to hear, So until 373 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:28,440 Speaker 1: next time, thank you for being here and I will 374 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:29,840 Speaker 1: see you next week.