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Sean Strickland's journey to becoming a UFC champion has always sparked debate, but does childhood trauma create elite competitors?
On this episode of The Fighter and The Kid, Brendan Schaub, Bryan Callen, and Fight Camp co-founder Khalil Zahar dive into one of the most fascinating conversations in MMA. They break down Sean Strickland's upbringing, David Goggins' mentality, whether adversity is necessary for greatness, and the balance between genetics, work ethic, and mental toughness.
The conversation expands into youth sports, parenting, talent versus discipline, professional athletes after retirement, UFC fighter pay, CTE, PTSD, and why some people thrive under pressure while others don't.
If you've ever wondered what separates world champions from everyone else, this episode explores the psychology behind greatness.
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"Sean Strickland's Trauma Made Him a Champion? | TFATK Ep. 1209" is an episode of The Fighter & The Kid. Runtime 1 hr 30 min. Published July 30, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.