Walk into a Muay Thai or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym and you’ll find more than just fighters and fitness enthusiasts. You’ll find CEOs, actors, podcasters, founders, and high performers who’ve made martial arts a cornerstone of their lives. They’re not chasing medals or fame. They are chasing something deeper like focus, discipline, resilience, and the humility that comes from learning through every session on the mats.
Why do so many successful people turn to martial arts? And what does it reveal about the role of combat sports in personal and professional growth? Let’s take a closer look at a few well-known figures and the reasons they keep showing up to train.
1) Mark Zuckerberg – The Tech Mogul On The Mats
Meta’s founder Mark Zuckerberg surprised the world when he not only started showing up at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions, but also winning them. For someone running one of the biggest tech companies on the planet, training martial arts might seem like an odd use of time. But Zuckerberg sees it differently.
He’s publicly shared that BJJ helps him stay mentally sharp and deal with the intense pressures of leadership. Training forces him into the present moment. It challenges his mind and body, and perhaps most importantly, it gives him a break from the digital world he helped create. Zuckerberg’s journey into martial arts reflects a broader trend: more tech professionals are stepping onto the mats to unplug from screens, reset their minds, and most importantly, reconnect with themselves.
2) Lex Fridman – The Stoic On The Mats
Lex Fridman might be best known for deep conversations with some of the world’s most brilliant minds, but outside the podcast studio, he’s a dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. For Lex, Jiu-Jitsu is more than just a workout. It’s a meditation.
He trains regularly, often speaking about how grappling teaches patience, humility, and mental clarity. On the mats, status and intellect don’t matter. What matters is control, timing, and how you respond when things fall apart. That raw, unfiltered feedback loop is why Lex considers martial arts one of the most honest learning environments in the world.
3) Joe Rogan – Power, Precision And Perspective
Joe Rogan is one of the loudest voices in combat sports and for good reason. He’s been training in martial arts since he was a teenager. A black belt in both 10th Planet and Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, as well as a former Taekwondo champion, Rogan has used martial arts as a foundation for everything else in his life.
He frequently talks about how training keeps him grounded and sane. For him, martial arts helps manage ego, develops physical confidence, and keeps your body and mind sharp. No matter how busy his life gets, martial arts remains a non-negotiable part of his routine.
4) Tom Hardy – The Actor Who Grapples
Tom Hardy’s Hollywood résumé is packed with roles that demand physicality, but his training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu isn’t just for the screen. Hardy is a legit BJJ practitioner who has competed and even medaled in real tournaments.
He started training seriously as part of his work with the REORG charity, which helps veterans and emergency service personnel use BJJ to cope with mental and physical trauma. What began as preparation turned into passion. Hardy trains regularly and credits Jiu-Jitsu help him manage stress, stay disciplined, and connect with others in a deeply meaningful way.
5) Chatri Sityodtong – The Martial Arts CEO
Chatri Sityodtong, the founder and CEO of ONE Championship, the world’s largest martial arts organization, is a lifelong martial artist. A seasoned Muay Thai practitioner and black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the legendary Renzo Gracie, Chatri credits martial arts for shaping his identity. Not just as a fighter, but as a human being.
Raised in poverty and educated at Harvard, Chatri climbed the ranks of Wall Street before launching Asia’s largest martial arts organization. He speaks often about how martial arts instill values like integrity, courage, and compassion, qualities that helped him navigate the toughest moments of his life. For Chatri, the martial arts path is a way of life, one that builds not just champions, but character.
Why Martial Arts Appeal To High Performers
So what draws these individuals, from entrepreneurs to actors, into combat sports?
- Discipline And Consistency: Martial arts reward consistency over talent. That same mindset applies to success in any field: show up, improve a little every day, and trust the process.
- High-Stress Problem Solving: Sparring and rolling force you to make decisions under pressure. These experiences train you to stay calm and make clear decisions, especially when the pressure is on.
- Ego Management: You will lose. You will struggle. You’ll get submitted by people smaller than you. Martial arts humble you, and that humility builds emotional intelligence and leadership.
- Physical And Mental Grit: Getting stronger, tougher, and more adaptable isn’t just about the body. It’s about facing hard things and learning that you can keep going even when it hurts.
What You Can Learn From Them
You don’t need to be a CEO or a movie star to benefit from martial arts. The success stories that these high performers show us that success and training go hand in hand, not because martial arts make you rich or famous, but because they teach you how to deal with pressure, failure, and discomfort.
It teaches you to keep going, even when you’re tired. To reset your ego after every loss. To value consistency over hype. And to approach every challenge with a beginner’s mindset.
Martial arts don’t just build fighters. They build better versions of ourselves. So if some of the world’s most accomplished people find value in getting on the mats, maybe it’s time to put on the gloves or Gi and find out why for yourself.
Book your complimentary trial class with our World Champions below!
If you have any other questions regarding Evolve MMA and the programs we offer, you can get in touch with our membership executives at the following locations:
Evolve MMA (Orchard Central)
181 Orchard Road
#06-01 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Phone: Evolve MMA (KINEX)
11 Tanjong Katong Road
#02-52 KINEX
Singapore 437157
Phone: Evolve MMA (Star Vista)
1 Vista Exchange Green
#02-26A The Star Vista
Singapore 138617
Phone: (65) 6539 9590
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