In the early days of 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, Eddie Bravo faced a medical crisis that could have derailed his fledgling martial arts career.
During his first year teaching jiu-jitsu, Bravo developed a hernia but had no medical insurance to cover the necessary surgery. It was Joe Rogan who stepped in and paid for the entire procedure out of pocket, a gesture that Bravo has never forgotten.
“I owe Joe so much, man. I need a hernia surgery in the very beginning, the first year of jiu-jitsu. I got a hernia and I didn’t have any medical or anything. He paid for all that s**it cash, you know, and I’ll never forget that,” Bravo revealed during a recent podcast appearance.
The hernia surgery came at a particularly vulnerable time in Bravo’s life, when he was just starting to establish himself as a jiu-jitsu instructor after his legendary 2003 ADCC performance.
This act of generosity from Rogan went beyond simple financial assistance. It represented a deep friendship and belief in Bravo’s potential at a time when his future was uncertain.
Bravo had just quit his writing job on Comedy Central’s “The Man Show” to pursue teaching jiu-jitsu full-time at a small boxing gym called the Bomb Squad. The decision was risky, and the early days were financially challenging.
“I always have Joe’s back, you know, no matter what. We’ve butted heads over the years a few times, you know what I mean? But he’s my brother. I love him to death. I owe him so much,” Bravo explained.
The bond between the two men runs deeper than their public personas suggest. Rogan had already helped Bravo secure the Comedy Central writing position by essentially demanding the network hire him, though that job ultimately didn’t work out.
The relationship between Rogan and Bravo represents more than just friendship; it’s a testament to loyalty and support during crucial moments. Despite occasional disagreements over the years, particularly regarding conspiracy theories and other topics, the foundation of their friendship remains unshakeable.
Bravo’s gratitude extends to understanding what Rogan’s support meant for his entire career trajectory. Without that hernia surgery, he may not have been able to continue teaching during those critical early months of 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu. The school that started with just 18 students at a small boxing gym has since grown into a global martial arts organization with schools around the world.
