Former UFC featherweight title challenger Chad Mendes is a big proponent of youth participating in combat sports like wrestling, jiu-jitsu, boxing and kickboxing. The retired mixed martial artist believes the benefits of combat sports training extend far beyond just physical fitness.
“I tried to encourage people to do it,” Mendes said. “It’s a great workout. Punching a bag, even taking a kickboxing class – you know how much stress release that is, just punching something that’s not gonna punch you back? And it’s an insane workout.”
But more than just the exercise, Mendes feels combat sports build invaluable mental toughness and resilience that translates to all areas of life. He points to the famous quote from legendary wrestler Dan Gable: “Once you’ve wrestled, everything else is easy.”
“Going through college, jumping into the fight game, having to figure out bills, car payments, cell phone bills, being an adult with responsibilities and starting a family – you look back at that quote and you’re like ‘Damn, he’s right,'” Mendes explained. “I’ve been in a lot of tough situations where other friends and family members crack and crumble and fall apart. But it’s not something I’d break over, because I pushed myself to those mental and physical limits in wrestling.”
For Mendes, wrestling and combat sports teach you that you can go further than you think when faced with adversity. “It transfers over into life,” he said. “I think it’s good for anybody to go through that stuff.”
When it comes to what combat sport to start kids in, Mendes leans towards wrestling or jiu-jitsu due to the grappling and body control involved, skills he sees as invaluable for self-defense. He plans to get his own daughters involved in one of those martial arts.
Mendes admits he wasn’t always the biggest or most gifted athlete growing up, but his tenacity and work ethic pushed him to achieve great heights, becoming a 2-time NCAA All-American wrestler and top UFC contender. His story is a testament to the life lessons and resilience forged through the grueling trenches of combat sports.
