The Spaniard Show

Something is missing. That's a common thought when progressing toward goals. For The Spaniard and Dread, what is missing is deeper engagement with the most active followers of A Fighter's Mindset. The podcast turns a corner in this episode with a strong welcome for stories from goal-seekers at charlie-brenneman.com (contact). Another easy way to start forming a relationship with The Spaniard is to...

You are not alone in your struggles. You might be confronting wrongdoing; being dismissed; straining to control your emotions; fighting to speak up; regretting defensiveness … The Spaniard and Dread touch on all of these while discussing a seemingly small incident of line-jumping at a store. The talk leads to valuable reminders of mindfulness, humility and continuous improvement. We also learn how...

Recording before a live audience for the first time, The Spaniard and Dread dive into the saying "How you do one thing is how you do everything." What comes to the surface is intentionality. Find what matters to you most, align your life toward them, and keep going. Don't be derailed by perfectionism, failures, or by dwelling on more-capable versions of yourself that don't exist. This means you, O...

Just before this episode was recorded, The Spaniard persevered through an audio failure while live-streaming a video. This illustrates the essential skill of continuing to perform during problems or detours. You can come to prize this about setbacks: They train you to survive setbacks. Consider adversity an important part of your preparation, along with daily repetition of key activities and stead...

Ahhh, there's nothing like hard work and lots of it. The Spaniard and Dread compare notes on the joys and challenges of long hours. On the bright side, there is peace to be found during early-morning starts, and there are good habits to absorb from toiling friends. On the dark side, there can be difficulty dialing back striving, as well as discouragement from failing to see returns. The guys share...

The Spaniard just ran the Army 10-Miler with his brother, a veteran, and he found inspiration in every direction. He describes competitors who bow to no challenge, and he highlights two thought-provoking T-shirts that he spotted. This leads to discussion of aging well and of leading versus following versus obstructing. We also gain Dread's recommendation for protecting feet, whether we want it or...

A college coach recently recruited The Spaniard to boost his team's mental and physical capacities. You'll hear how this work is helping high performers reach new levels of toughness and camaraderie through discipline and vulnerability. You'll also hear how The Spaniard doggedly pursued a Mastermind group participant to allow continued growth. Plus, there are shout-outs to the remarkable Jocko Wil...

As demonstrated in the previous episode, Frankie Edgar is a champion not only in the UFC but as a person. Now The Spaniard and Dread review their takeaways from the interview. These include the power of a support team, the importance of finding hard work that you can love and the paradox of navigating toward goals that might be unreachable. Also: The Spaniard recalls a brush with Channing Tatum an...

"You can be a good person AND the best in the world. Frankie is a perfect example." The Spaniard says that in this extra-special episode featuring Frankie Edgar, active UFC fighter and former lightweight champion, whose friendship with the Spaniard began during college. Frankie's devotion to family, friends, teammates and training shines as he discusses a career that led from underground fighting...

The Spaniard and Dread fighting with each other?? Say it ain't so! Okay, it ain't so. But there was some frowning about podcast work during Dread's vacation, so this discussion is about partners negotiating challenges. It highlights the importance of rest and listening to yourself and to each other. There's also a reminder about what seagulls eat and a surprise at the end of the episode!

This episode concludes the review of The Spaniard's memoir "Driven: My Unlikely Journey from Classroom to Cage." Discussion topics include: Persevering through unpleasant tasks; maintaining supportive and inspiring relationships; seeking out teachers and mentors; and preparing for the deep lows that often accompany high aims. As well as reminiscing about the birth of Gracie June Brenneman! The mes...

Reading is vital for growth, so The Spaniard and Dread decided to present occasional book discussions. The first title they chose is The Spaniard's own book, "Driven: My Unlikely Journey from Classroom To Cage." In the first of two sessions, they explain how the book came together and expand on certain sections. This talk touches on maintaining clarity about your own purpose, developing secondary...

Want a juicy example of pursuing a big goal with A Fighter's Mindset? How about working for over 18 months to deliver a one-man stage show? Who did this? The Spaniard's podcasting pal Keith "Dread" Eldred! In this episode, hear why and how he did it and learn about key practices including starting small, working daily, building on plateaus, varying training and inviting failure. Also: The Spaniard...

The Spaniard and Dread make a disclaimer early in this episode that they cannot officially discuss what they are discussing: Managing weight. You and your doctor have to decide what is best for you. Having said that, the guys share what has been useful for them. Here's a preview of the simple takeaways: Drink Water, Record Everything, and Personalize Your System. Oh, and this: Plan Your Cheating....

Talk about a rich piece of writing. "The Man in the Arena" has inspired millions--and shamed unworthy critics--since Theodore Roosevelt voiced it in a speech over 100 years ago. The Spaniard has been the Man in the Arena, of course, and he and Dread walk through the passage in this episode. In drawing out its many lessons, they touch on an unlikely set of movie stars—Charlton Heston, Amy Schumer a...

Prepare to be inspired. This week The Spaniard took a new step that helped a new friend see a way forward. This happened after one of The Spaniard's closest followers took him up on the offer of a consulting call. That person turned out to have a remarkable story of transformation, and the Spaniard gave him a specific way to start sharing it. This is how change ripples outward.

This episode will let you mix it up with famous fighters. The stories will take you in close with three UFC stars: Frankie Edgar, Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones. You'll hear what The Spaniard learned from each, and how each influences him to this day, every day. Also: Dread has a story about politicians that's not political.

Yes, mindset matters. In this episode, you'll hear how one simple shift of perspective transformed The Spaniard's college wrestling career from mediocre to one win away from All-American. His key decision back then: HAVE FUN! And his decision now, when he starts to feel career pressure: HAVE FUN! Now it's your turn. Take off that backpack full of rocks (The Spaniard will explain that) and rediscov...

It's host versus co-host this time. The Spaniard finds competition essential while Dread questions that. The Spaniard gives a wrestler's and fighter's appreciation of flesh-and-blood opponents: how they have shaped him, how they have obsessed him, and how he sometimes has to search for their equivalents. The conversation highlights how competitors personify high standards and how the highest perfo...

Three days after the birth of his second child, The Spaniard discusses Fathership (a Spaniard term): his gratitude, his hopes, his plans, and how little he and his wife are sleeping. What does this mean for you? The tale involving Sheetz will make you think about the power of example. The discussion of summer camp and iffy acquaintances will help you watch for good and bad influences. The story in...

Okay, Community Watchdog, when do you guard the greater good? Only when it's really all about you? In this episode, that big question springs from something small: The rules at the pool. Dread dives into uncomfortability about living his values, and The Spaniard sends a sheepdog after him (you'll see what that means). The two trade Abe Lincoln quotes and discuss how a big part of tact is just slow...

Do you have friends, mentors and partners to push you, question you and help you keep moving toward your goals? The Spaniard does. In this episode, you'll hear that live, in a discussion that ends up making him back away from the microphone. (But it's all good, you'll see.) It's intense, positive talk that will help you see how to continue your efforts while staying true to yourself—your core enth...

The 2016 Olympics have concluded, but not discussing them—specifically the crushing experience of USA wrestler Jordan Burroughs. The Spaniard got to know him and his family in a special way on the set of a Ralph Lauren commercial, and you can, too, in the touching documentary "My Name is Jordan," currently at FloWrestling.com. Highlighting Jordan means highlighting humility, the pursuit of victory...

The Spaniard is often asked how he can possibly take the risk of stepping into the ring. In this episode, you'll hear questions that he asks in return. The conversation was prompted by Dread's sharing what happened to him at a red light. Then come stories of injuries, mysterious maladies and pushing your limits. Plus mentions of Fight Club, the Olympics and an exploration of old-fashioned sayings....