#2036 - Kurt Angle

Added: Sep 22, 2023

Kurt Angle begins by talking about his experience in the Olympics, where he competed with a broken neck. He explains that he didn't have a choice but to continue wrestling despite the injury. He shares the story of how he broke his neck during the Olympic Trials and continued to wrestle through the pain. He eventually won the trials and went on to compete in the Olympics.

However, Kurt's neck injury continued to cause problems throughout his career. He explains that he broke his neck four more times while wrestling in the WWE, which led to nerve damage and atrophy in his arms. He has undergone multiple surgeries, but none have been successful in fully healing his neck. He is now considering fusion surgery as a last resort.

Joe and Kurt discuss the possibility of using artificial disc replacement as an alternative to fusion surgery. Kurt mentions that he has heard about other athletes, such as Aljamain Sterling, who have had success with this procedure. Joe offers to connect Kurt with Aljamain to learn more about his experience.

The conversation then shifts to the dangers of painkillers and Kurt's struggle with addiction. Kurt admits that he became addicted to painkillers after his first neck injury in the WWE. He started taking them to mask the pain and quickly developed a tolerance, leading to higher doses. At his peak, he was taking up to 65 extra-strength Vicodin pills a day.

Kurt explains that he eventually sought help and went to rehab after his wife threatened to leave him. He describes the intense withdrawal symptoms he experienced during rehab, including sweating, shaking, and gastrointestinal issues. He emphasizes that he never wants to go through that again and is determined to stay off painkillers.

The conversation touches on the role of pharmaceutical companies in the opioid crisis. Joe mentions the Sackler family, who owned Purdue Pharma and played a significant role in promoting OxyContin. They discuss how the pharmaceutical industry downplayed the addictive nature of opioids and the devastating impact it has had on communities across the country.

Kurt reflects on his own experience with painkillers and how they took over his life. He admits that he was solely focused on obtaining the drugs and didn't care about anything else. He shares the story of taking a large number of pills after learning about his sister's heroin overdose, highlighting the dangerous mindset he was in at the time.

The episode continues with Kurt expressing gratitude for his recovery and the support he received from his family. He emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of painkillers and hopes that his story can help others struggling with addiction.

Kurt continues by sharing his experience with painkillers during his time as a professional wrestler. He talks about the morphine drip he had in the hospital after knee surgery and how he was able to manage his pain without becoming addicted. He also discusses his decision to avoid drugs due to the negative experiences of his friends who were addicted.

The conversation then shifts to the pharmaceutical industry and the role it played in the opioid crisis. Kurt reflects on the limitations of painkillers and the potential for addiction. He mentions the Netflix series that exposed the practices of pharmaceutical companies and the billions of dollars they made from selling opioids. He expresses his frustration with the lack of accountability and the devastating impact on people's lives.

Kurt also talks about his own journey to recovery and the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions. He emphasizes the need for individuals to make the decision to change and not rely on others to fix their problems. He shares his own experience of overcoming addiction and the challenges he faced.

The conversation then turns to the healthcare system and the high costs associated with medical procedures. Kurt shares his own experience of receiving a hospital bill for $165,000 for a five-day stay. He discusses the profit-driven nature of hospitals and the pressure to prescribe medication and perform unnecessary procedures.

Kurt also talks about his current endeavors, including his podcast called The Kurt Angle Show and his supplement company called Physically Fit. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from wrestling to other ventures and the importance of finding new passions and interests.

The conversation continues with a discussion about the physical toll of wrestling and the importance of taking care of one's body. Kurt shares his experience with knee and shoulder replacements and the impact they have had on his ability to stay active. He also talks about the limitations of his knee replacements and the need to be mindful of his physical activities.

The conversation continues with Rogan and Angle marveling at Vince McMahon's dedication and physical fitness. They discuss how McMahon, in his 70s, continues to work out continuously and maintain a jacked physique. Angle shares that McMahon is in his late 70s and still actively involved in the WWE, despite stepping back from the creative position. They speculate on what McMahon will do now that his whole life has revolved around wrestling.

The discussion then shifts to the potential crossover between UFC and WWE. Rogan and Angle agree that fighters like Derek Lewis and Conor McGregor could do well in professional wrestling. They talk about the contractual restrictions that prevent fighters from crossing over between the two organizations and express their curiosity about whether these restrictions are genuine or part of a storyline.

The conversation takes a turn towards the challenges of coming back from a serious injury, specifically focusing on Conor McGregor's leg injury. Rogan and Angle discuss the difficulty of recovering from a broken leg, particularly in a sport like MMA where kicks to the legs are common. They mention the use of peptides like BPC-157 for healing injuries and express their support for athletes using whatever they can to aid their recovery.

The discussion then delves into the use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in sports. Rogan and Angle share their personal experiences with TRT and emphasize the importance of maintaining optimal testosterone levels, especially for athletes in their 40s and 50s. They argue that TRT should be allowed in sports, as long as it is regulated and athletes' blood work is monitored to ensure they stay within normal parameters.

The conversation touches on the potential long-term effects of head trauma in combat sports. Rogan and Angle acknowledge that fighters in the UFC are likely to experience some form of brain damage over time. They discuss the possibility of future liability for the UFC and the need for better regulations and precautions to protect fighters from long-term damage.

The episode continues with Rogan and Angle reminiscing about their experiences in the wrestling and MMA worlds. They share stories about their encounters with legendary fighters like Mark Kerr and Dan Severn and reflect on the physical toll that combat sports can take on athletes.

Angle continues by talking about the importance of having a strong skill set in MMA, particularly the ability to dictate where the fight takes place. He mentions that in the early days of MMA, many fighters lacked the ability to stop their opponents from taking them down, which gave wrestlers a significant advantage. Angle gives examples of fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Frank Shamrock, who were able to dominate their opponents with their wrestling skills.

The conversation then shifts to the topic of weight cutting in combat sports. Angle shares his experience of wrestling at a higher weight class instead of cutting weight. He explains that he didn't want to go through the process of losing weight and preferred to compete at a weight where he felt comfortable and could perform at his best. He believes that weight cutting takes away from the enjoyment of the sport and can have negative effects on a fighter's physical and mental well-being.

Rogan agrees with Angle and expresses his wish for more weight classes in MMA to eliminate the need for extreme weight cutting. He believes that weight cutting is a form of sanctioned cheating and that it puts fighters at a disadvantage in terms of their health and performance. They discuss the potential risks and long-term effects of weight cutting, including kidney damage and decreased chin durability.

The conversation then turns to the topic of wrestling and its importance in MMA. Angle emphasizes the mental toughness and work ethic that wrestlers possess, which he believes gives them an advantage in the sport. He praises the wrestling base and control that wrestlers have over their opponents, making them formidable fighters in MMA. Rogan agrees and mentions fighters like Jon Jones, who have a strong wrestling background and excel in the sport.

Angle shares his experience of competing against Brock Lesnar, another wrestler turned MMA fighter. He explains that he used duck unders and counter moves to take advantage of Lesnar's double leg takedowns. They discuss the importance of strategy and technique in wrestling and how it translates to success in MMA.

The conversation concludes with Angle discussing the whereabouts of his Olympic gold medal. He shares that he used to take it with him to events and appearances but stopped after a child accidentally damaged it. He now keeps it in a safe to protect it from further harm.