CHAPTERS
- 0:00 – 2:48
From MMA retirement to triathlon obsession (and learning to swim)
Joe and Paul open by talking about how Felder replaced the competitive void of fighting with triathlon training. Felder explains how he stumbled into the sport during the pandemic, got hooked on structured run workouts, and realized triathlon offered a new “three-discipline” rabbit hole—despite not even knowing how to swim at first.
- 2:48 – 6:00
Half-Ironman basics and the brutal reality of 70.3 racing
Felder breaks down triathlon distances and formats, including Super League’s multi-leg chaos. He explains why he jumped straight into the 70.3 (half Ironman), how long it is, and why it left him looking dangerously depleted—like a weight cut on steroids.
- 6:00 – 8:01
Cardio as a weapon in MMA: Diaz brothers, pace, and demoralization
The conversation pivots from endurance sports to endurance inside the cage. Joe and Paul use Nick and Nate Diaz as case studies in pace, toughness, and the psychological damage of hurting someone who refuses to break.
- 8:01 – 11:23
XTERRA, ocean swims, and the ‘getting eaten’ problem (sharks & open water)
Felder explains XTERRA-style triathlons and the added fear factor of rugged environments. Joe and Paul spiral into open-water anxiety—sharks, tragic bite stories, and the unsettling reality of mass-start swims in dark water.
- 11:23 – 14:28
Alligators, crocodiles, and nature tangents (Florida water is never safe)
From sharks, they drift into gators and crocodiles—especially the Florida reality that any pond can hold a prehistoric predator. They discuss brutal attack videos, risky animal stunts, and the bizarre “Florida man” ecosystem of survival stories.
- 14:28 – 19:11
Retirement decision and Felder’s origin story: TKD kid → theater major → fighter
Joe asks what made Felder retire while still competitive, and Felder traces the arc back to how he started. He describes growing up in South Philly, doing Taekwondo from childhood, studying theater, then discovering the addictive adrenaline of amateur MMA walkouts.
- 19:11 – 21:14
Regional rise to the UFC and the weight-cutting regret
Felder details his early pro run, big regional finishes, and getting signed at 8–0. He also reflects on the long-term cost of bulking up between fights and doing extreme cuts—something he now views as a major mistake.
- 21:14 – 25:17
The toll of fighting: rhabdo, kidney scares, lung surgery, and broken bones
The discussion gets medical and sobering as Felder lists the injuries that pushed him toward retirement. He explains rhabdo symptoms, the kidney monitoring aftermath, a collapsed lung that required surgery and stapling, and the common forearm breaks from striking mechanics.
- 25:17 – 28:56
Leg kicks and calf kicks: why they’re misunderstood (and how they changed the sport)
Joe and Paul break down the brutality of leg kicks, focusing on calf kicks and why casual fans underestimate them. They discuss placement, nerves, “fake checks,” and how modern fighters weaponize low kicks far more effectively than earlier eras.
- 28:56 – 34:28
Adesanya vs Pereira: power, size, style differences, and the rematch questions
They analyze Pereira’s unique kickboxing style, freakish leverage, and how quickly he compromised Adesanya’s leg. The conversation expands into matchups, grappling threats, and what adjustments might matter most in a rematch.
- 34:28 – 37:18
Weight, muscle, and nutrition myths—plus Oliveira’s transformation
Felder calls out the common claim of adding huge ‘lean muscle’ in a short camp and jokes about what that implies. Joe and Paul discuss weight-class moves, Aldo’s successful drop, and how Oliveira reinvented himself after being labeled a quitter.
- 37:18 – 50:34
Wanting to come back, being a commentator, and social media pressure
Felder admits the urge to fight still sparks—especially when surrounded by elite fighters in commentary. He and Joe talk about imposter syndrome, the psychology of criticism, and why engaging with online comments is a losing game.
- 50:34 – 54:10
Diet debates and food nostalgia: vegan skepticism, carnivore months, bread lust
Joe and Paul debate vegan diets versus animal-based nutrition, focusing on absorption, protein quality, and practicality. The conversation turns into comedic food talk—sushi cheats, dessert, and an extended love letter to bread, gravy, and comfort foods.
- 54:10 – 59:48
Philadelphia pride: cheesesteaks, iconic food identity, and local fight culture
They riff on Philly’s identity being tied to cheesesteaks, the best spots, and why tourist places still rule at 3 a.m. Then they pivot to Philadelphia’s fighting legacy—boxing history and rising star Boots Ennis.
- 59:48 – 3:08:14
Camps, coaches, and the sport’s evolution: Cowboy’s ranch, Duke Roufus, scoring, and what’s next
Felder recounts gritty camp life—training with Cowboy at the Tapout house, then finding his long-term fit with Duke Roufus. The conversation broadens into Muay Thai history, judging/scoring problems, global talent pipelines (Russia/Eastern Europe), injury recovery tech, and ends with predictions and upcoming fight talk before wrapping the episode.
