Shows / Life's a Fight
Life's a Fight
Life's a Fight is a metaphor for life. It's a mindset and philosophy that shapes how you approach the challenges in front of you. This is a low-key, down-to-earth podcast about the ups and downs of life. We're talking everyday challenges and the big ones, too. Using my life and experiences as the backbone—Spanish teacher turned UFC fighter, now a professional speaker with a wife and kids—you'll hear stories, lessons and strategies to help you keep going when you don't think you can. If you're…
Episodes
- Life's a Fight
Books 1510 - Around the Corner to Around the World
This is the story of Dunkin' Donuts, as told by 35-year CEO, Robert Rosenberg. This is an in-depth look at the origin and evolution of one of the most…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 436 - Dear Wrestlers, Please Don't Change
Watching the post-match interviews at the NCAA wrestling tournament is one of the best teachers there is. What a show of sportsmanship and humility. Lifelong…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1509 - Secrets of Closing the Sale
Remember when this show was called "A Fighter's Mindset"? That was a long time ago, and in that time, I've learned a lot about a different mindset, "a seller's…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 433 - "Stroke Day" Twelve Years Later
On this day in 2011, I had a stroke. It came out of nowhere and left me with a ton of fear and questions. On this episode, you'll get a play-by-play of the…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 432 - Dreadisode - Change Has Come to THE SPANIARD SHOW
This episode published on Thursday as usual, but not at 6 am Eastern, as has been the practice for years. This past Monday broke the pattern too—there was no…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 431 - My Trip to CO and Some Thoughts on Speaking for a Living
Currently in Grand Junction, CO (speaking at Grand Mesa MS), I'm sitting and reflecting on this career and life I'm building. You'll hear my realtime thoughts…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1507 - The Great Divorce
This was a first for me. Having read this book, I wasn't quite sure I comprehended its major points, so I went to the Internet for some research. After working…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 430 - Why I Celebrate My Birthday Like a Kid
I'm 42 today, and I plan to celebrate like a kid. I plan to celebrate every birthday like a kid, actually, and I think you should, too. Here's why... ... Join…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1506 - The Happiest Man on Earth 2
We finish this series with lessons on hope, resilience, miracles, love, our contribution to the world and more. A truly remarkable and inspirational book. …
- Life's a Fight
Talks 429 - Andrés Reséndez, Author, "A Land So Strange"
This discussion involves actual Spaniards! The kind that American students learn at least a little about: Early explorers of the present-day southeastern U.S…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1505 - The Happiest Man on Earth 1
What a fascinating book. Eddie Jaku survived the Holocaust and tells his story, a fascinating story of personal triumph over evil. In this book, he shares the…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 428 - Some Thoughts on Death
Death...an odd topic, but a relevant one at that. The last few years have presented some difficult times in our family, and today's episode is an exploration…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1504 - Never Finished 2
We finish off this series with some more insight from David Goggins. Among the insight, we touch on: how we're raising our kids, the importance of discipline…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 427 - Jon Bier returns - Founder & CEO, Jack Taylor PR
Wait, wasn't this guy here just a month ago? Yep, on Episode 422, which began with a mixup on who was hosting whom. But now, for reals, Spanny is hosting Jon…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1503 - Never Finished 1
"This is not a self-help book...It's a what-the-f@#$-are-you-doing-with-your-life-book." - Author David Goggins. I figured his words say it best. Enjoy Day 1…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 426 - James Doty, MD, Author "Into the Magic Shop" and (Fall '23) "Mind Magic: The Neuroscience of Manifestation"
Dr. James Doty's memoir "Into the Magic Shop" (Books Episode #1474) fascinated The Spaniard by recounting Jim Doty's rise from dysfunctional family to…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1502 - The Catalyst 2
On today's episode, we take a look at each principle of change described in the book (Reactance, Endowment, Distance, Uncertainty and Corroborating Evidence…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 425 - Let's Finish this Year Right
Taking the first step is often the hardest part, but maintaining that step throughout the year can seem just as daunting. The New Year is a great time to kick…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1501 - The Catalyst 1
Have you ever wanted to chagne someone's mind? This book can help you do so. ... Join the Fight Club here: Fight Club Get this book here: The Catalyst To…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 424 - Re-Post in Memory of Betty Brenneman
Today's episode is a special one, and it is to commemorate and honor the life of my grandmother. She recently passed away at 93 years old. While we are still…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1500 - Hundreds of Books and Lessons Learned
We finish the year with Books 1500, a somewhat monumental number. So in that light, I'm running down a few of the biggest lessons I've learned after reading…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 423 - Why Losing is Important
If you listen to Spaniard School (my student podcast), you may have heard this episode before. And if you don't already listen, well, my hope is that you'll…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1499 - A Land So Strange 2
We pick up on Cabeza de Vaca and the others' journey in week two by diving into the details of their voyage. From the various roles they played throughout, to…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 422 - Swaposode - Jon Bier, Podcaster, Marketing Pro, and Entrepreneur
Back before The Spaniard was in the UFC, he intersected with Jon Bier through the Tokyo Five brand and Ariel Helwani. Now Jon and Spanny are on each other's…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1498 - A Land So Strange 1
This is a fascinating story of adventure and survival in a time that predates our country, but in a way, is laying its foudation. Initially with the intent to…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 421 - Jason Feifer "Build for Tomorrow" Author/Podcaster and Editor in Chief, "Entrepreneur" Magazine
Jason Feifer offers each of us a valuable question in this talk with Spanny: "What do you own?" Meaning items such as a particular strength, skill, or…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1497 - Waxing On 2
Get ready for some more Karate Kid! Today, we talk Mr. Miyagi's impact, Ali's unexpected exit from the series, Johnny Lawrence, the Crane Kick and so much…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 420 - Fight Club is BACK and Looking for YOU
Ready. Fire. Aim. That's what today's episode is about. Many years ago I started something called the AMX Fight Club. It was built on the back of my daily…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1496 - Waxing On 1
Get ready for some nostalgia! This week's episode kicks off Ralph Macchio's story of becoming The Karate Kid. This is some awesome reading, folks. Enjoy this…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 419 - Thank You Spaniard Show'ers
Thanks to Dread, today's episode is filled with some incredible stats and insight about the last six years of our podcasting. On this Thanksgiving Day, I'm…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1495 - Build for Tomorrow 2
This week's book recap picks up where last week's left off. As we continue to learn about embracing and adapting to change, we look to the past and future…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 418 - MMA Lost One of Its Greats
The MMA world recently lost one of its greats, Anthony "Rumble" Johnson. Rumble struck fear into everyone he fought, but he was as kind as could be outside the…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1494 - Build for Tomorrow 1
Change is inevitble. How we handle change is up to us. This week's book is a great resource for handling that change and landing in a spot that is better, or…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 417 - Christen Kutz, PA, PhD, Researcher into Elite Athlete Stroke Survivors
Are elite athletes, particularly accomplished wrestlers, prone to experiencing stroke? Researching that question energizes Dr. Christen Kutz partly because it…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1493 - The Innovation Stack 2
In a search for business mentors, Square founder Jim McKelvey looked to the past, seeking insights from three companies you are sure to have heard of. In this…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 416 - Mike Kinney (Cowboy Gator Magraw) returns - Author, "A Pro Wrestler's Guide to Confidence"
Here's great stuff NOT in the book! Oops, first this background: You'll recall pro wrestler, podcaster and author Mike Kinney (aka Cowboy Gator Magraw) from…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1492 - The Innovation Stack 1
I can remember the first time I heard of Square, and I can remember receiving that little white square phone attachment. How was this free? I can just swipe…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 415 - Clint Emerson, Navy SEAL (Ret), Crisis Consultant, Author, "The Rugged Life"
It took some doing, but Spanny landed an interview with the author of a book that he recently discussed: "The Rugged Life." Clint Emerson is well-versed on the…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1491 - Upstream 2
We know upstream thinking is beneficial, but we have a tendency to favor downstream efforts. We focus on fixing problems rather than preventing them. Why? The…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 414 - How I Process Feedback
Feedback is one of those things that can help and also hurt. If you're going to ask for it, you better be ready to receive it. And if you don't ask for it…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1490 - Upstream 1
Preventing problems before they happen. Thinking in systems rather than individual actions. Just two of the ideas presented in this week's episode as we begin…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 413 - Top Questions I'm Asked and Other Observations
It's been a very busy three weeks speaking, and with that comes some new observations and highlights. At the top of this current high point, I realize more…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1489 - Not About a Book
This week's Books episode is not about a book. It's about my practice of reading and how this part of the show came to be. It's also about recent progress in…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 412 - Jim McGough, Manager, Hollidaysburg Area's Little League World Series Contender
Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the Little League World Series, from the manager of a team who made it to late rounds this summer. And the team was from the…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1488 - Squint
Middle grade books are some of the best. And this week's edition fits that bill. Squint is about a boy who's dealing with an eye disease, loves comics, is…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 411 - Traveling Across the Country to Speak
Inspired by my recent trip to Charlotte Wood Middle School in CA, today's episode touches on some specifics of speaking, some takeaways of my trip to CA and…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1487 - The Common Path to Uncommon Success
This one goes way back for me. John Lee Dumas was one of the first people I started listening to post-fighting. His podcast "Entrepreneurs on Fire" kept me…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 410 - Kenny Florian, Retired UFC Fighter, Current Commentator & Podcaster
If you someday come across The Spaniard providing color commentary on combat sports, this episode is one of the places that will trace from. That's because he…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1486 - A Pro Wrestler's Guide to Confidence
Friend and former guest of the show (#136 - 11/7/17), Cowboy Gator Magraw has written a book about his life and love of professional wrestling. He lays it out…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 409 - Rollie Peterkin returns - Recording from Ukraine
What if you could fly right now to Ukraine? Or Iraq? If the thoughts make you pale, take a breath and listen to Rollie Peterkin, a great friend of Spanny and…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1485 - The Greatest Salesman in the World - Part II
A follow up to The Greatest Salesman in the World, this week's book adds another ten life principles to success. Following the life story of camel…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 408 - Evolving in Business
Inspired by a recent school assembly, today's episode provides updates, philosophies and strategies to The Spaniard's post-fighting business career. Whether…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1484 - The Psychology of Money
Another great financial book, The Psychology of Money focuses on our behaviors around money and what drives us to those behaviors. While hard financial skills…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 407 - Ben Coate, Lawyer Turned MMA Writer
Meet Ben Coate, newlywed grappler/lawyer turned professional MMA writer, as well as a longtime Spanny fan who credits The Spaniard with helping him pursue his…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1483 - The Richest Man in Babylon
This is one of my favorite money books. I learned of it when I was fighting, and it's lessons have stuck with me. This is a very entertaining and educational…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 406 - The Agony of Defeat
There is no way of escaping the feeling of loss. Something that means so much to you that is no longer there. Working so hard toward something, and it goes…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1482 - Running with Purpose
This week's book is a prime example of why I read: I get to hang out and learn from some of the most successful people in the world. Two weeks ago it was with…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 405 - My Hometown is in the Little League World Series
It's always fun to root for the hometeam, and as the LLWS kicks off, it's our actual hometeam we get to root for! Hollidaysburg is representing the…
- Life's a Fight
Books 1481 - Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants to Be
Another short and powerful read by Steven Pressfield, this week's book speaks of the importance of aligning your wants (your dreams/goals/vision) with your…
- Life's a Fight
Talks 404 - My Favorite Thing in the World
I love to do several things in life, but this week's episode highlights my favorite, favorite thing. And it has to do with family and travel. You'll hear a…