In a testament to the peculiar influence of podcast culture on combat sports, the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu community finds itself caught in an amusing paradox: athletes are simultaneously embracing unproven “natural” lifestyle changes while diving headfirst into performance enhancement.
Take Nick “Nicky Rod” Rodriguez, a rising star in the grappling world who recently made headlines for eschewing deodorant based on concerns about chemical absorption and testosterone levels. Meanwhile, just days later, BJJ athlete Josh Saunders openly discussed his use of PEDs, which he began taking as a blue belt.
This cognitive dissonance can be traced back to one influential source: The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, where pseudoscience and legitimate medical discussions often share equal airtime.
The Rogan Effect
For over a decade, Joe Rogan has been more than just a commentator; he’s been a lifestyle guru for the combat sports community. His podcast has become a platform where discussions about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and performance enhancement sit comfortably alongside debates about masculinity and alternative wellness practices.
Rogan himself has been transparent about his hormone use since 2015, openly discussing his weekly testosterone intake and human growth hormone (HGH) supplementation. “It’s what fighters get in trouble for, but, obviously, I’m not competing. I just like the idea that I’m cheating old age and death,” he told Rolling Stone.
The Irony of Selective Science
The paradox becomes clear when examining recent trends in the BJJ community. Athletes like Rodriguez are willing to endure social ostracism by foregoing basic hygiene products based on limited scientific evidence about endocrine disruption. Yet, many of these same athletes show little hesitation about introducing synthetic hormones into their bodies – substances with well-documented effects on the endocrine system.
“I didn’t plan on taking it for Jiu-Jitsu,” Saunders explains in his recent video, citing modern lifestyle factors like “blue lights” and “microplastics” as justification for his PED use. The irony of using synthetic hormones to combat perceived chemical threats seems lost in translation.
The Science (or Lack Thereof)
While concerns about endocrine disruptors in everyday products aren’t entirely unfounded, the evidence is often preliminary or inconclusive. The much-discussed research on microplastics and declining testosterone levels, for instance, has faced significant scientific scrutiny. A Harvard and MIT study published in Human Fertility challenged the “Spermageddon” narrative, pointing out methodological flaws in previous research.
In contrast, the effects of exogenous hormone use are well-documented, though not always predictable. PED use carries known risks that require careful medical supervision – a fact that Saunders, to his credit, emphasizes in his candid discussion.
Cultural Impact
The phenomenon reflects a broader trend in combat sports culture, where athletes oscillate between extreme naturalism and technological enhancement. This dichotomy has been amplified by podcast culture, where long-form conversations can lend legitimacy to both scientific research and anecdotal evidence.
As Rogan prepares to potentially influence American politics with his upcoming Donald Trump interview, it’s worth reflecting on how his platform has already shaped behavior in the combat sports world. His influence has created a unique subculture where athletes might reject deodorant while embracing hormone therapy – all in the name of optimization.
The jiu-jitsu community’s selective approach to science – embracing some interventions while demonizing others – serves as a fascinating case study in how information spreads through modern media channels. It’s a reminder that in the age of podcasts and social media, the line between scientific evidence and “bro-science” can become remarkably blurry.
Whether this paradoxical approach to performance and health optimization will eventually resolve itself remains to be seen. For now, the mats might be a bit more pungent, but the athletes will certainly be more enhanced.