Joe Rogan has long been an advocate for physical fitness, but his commitment to exercise goes far beyond aesthetics or athletic performance. In a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, the podcast host revealed a direct connection he’s observed between his workout routine and his mental sharpness. Rogan explains that his cognitive abilities noticeably decline on days when he skips physical activity.
Rogan: physical health directly impacts cognitive function, noting he doesn’t think as clearly or react as well on days he doesn’t work out
“I don’t think as quickly, it doesn’t work as well. I’m more irritable,” Rogan explained when describing how his mind functions differently on rest days.
For Rogan, the difference is dramatic enough to affect his daily life. “Maybe I don’t react the same way that I would if I was more calm and relaxed after a workout,” he noted. The podcast host emphasized that exercise serves multiple purposes beyond building muscle or cardiovascular endurance—it alleviates anxiety, promotes clearer thinking, and creates a mental balance that carries through his entire day.
The connection between physical and mental performance isn’t just anecdotal in Rogan’s case. “If I have a day where I do not work out, my brain—I don’t think as quickly, it doesn’t work as well,” he stated plainly, describing the phenomenon as something he experiences “on a day-to-day basis.”
This relationship between body and mind extends beyond immediate cognitive effects. Rogan discussed how physical fitness contributes to overall energy levels, explaining that “the amount of energy that you have to think about things is dependent upon the amount of energy your whole system has. A giant part of your system is your body.”
He argued that neglecting physical health has cascading effects: “If your physical body doesn’t work well, you’re going to be tired all the time. And you could say it’s, ‘Oh, I’m getting older. I’m getting this.’ Like, a lot of it is just ignoring your physical body for too long.”
Rogan also touched on the creative benefits of physical activity, particularly walking. He shared advice commonly given to writers and comedians: after working on material, go for a walk to get blood pumping. “When you go for a walk, sometimes when you’re thinking about those ideas, new ideas will just pop into your head because it’s like the seeds are already planted. Now go for a walk. You’re watering them.”
The martial arts commentator and comedian emphasized that this isn’t about vanity—it’s about function. “It’s not just a vanity thing. It’s a function of it. If it works better, you think better. Everything works.”
For someone whose career depends on mental acuity—conducting long-form interviews, performing standup comedy, and providing expert fight commentary—Rogan’s commitment to daily physical activity isn’t optional. It’s a fundamental requirement for operating at peak cognitive capacity.