THIS IS EPISODE 47 OF THE SPORTS SPECTRUM PODCAST
Justin Wren known for his mixed martial arts career in the UFC. Early in his career, he appeared on the Spike TV reality show “The Ultimate Fighter.”
Growing up, Justin experienced large amounts of bullying, which led to depression and suicidal thoughts during his teen years.
Justin’s life began to hit rock bottom when he disappeared for eight weeks without anyone knowing where he was. Drugs, depression, addiction, anger, his life was spiraling out of control.
After a life-changing experience in 2011, Justin founded Fight for the Forgotten, a nonprofit dedicated to securing land, freedom and clean water for the formerly enslaved Mbuti Pygmy tribe in the Ituri rainforest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In 2015, Water4 helped him expand beyond the DRC to bring clean water and economic security to thousands across the region.
On this episode of the podcast, Justin shares his incredible story from brokenness to redemption, how he overcame bullying, drug addiction and depression and is now using his message and platform to impact the world.
TIMELINE:
2:45 – Describe the training that is required to prepare for an MMA fight
5:40 – Toughest adjustment to MMA
9:05 – How he came to faith in Christ
19:30 – Being bullied
26:30 – Wanting to end his own life.
29:45 – What the response has been when he’s shared his story of being bullied.
36:00 – His wrestling career and becoming a state champion.
39:50 – Becoming a new Christian and the relationship with his Dad
43:40 – Putting his faith into action and having a life changing experience.
56:30 – Having heart to help those in the Congo.
65:05 – Returning to MMA and fighting for Bellator MMA.
69:30 – Getting involved at FightForTheForgotten.org
71:15 – What God is teaching Justin right now?
QUOTES:
“For 10 years, I wanted to kill myself. I battled with clinical depression from 13 to 23.”
“It’s so funny how God would provide everything I needed at just the right time.”
“I just felt like, there’s nothing I can do about it, why did i come here?”
“Our goal is just to love people and put the solution in the hands of the people that need it the most.”
“We don’t do charity, we do opportunity. Charity is great, but opportunity is always better.”
“The real desire in my heart is to use the platform to share and talk about the pygmys.”
“I’m nothing without Him. I’m weak like everyone else. I truly truly need God. Less of me, more of you God. That’s what I need.”
YOU CAN WATCH JUSTIN VISIT WITH THE CONGO KIDS BELOW
