Joe Rogan is a comedian, UFC commentator, and podcast host. He has the biggest podcast in the world, The Joe Rogan Experience, where he talks about his life and interviews a wide range of guests. Even if you don’t know the name, you’ve defiantly seen him somewhere because this guy is everywhere. As the popularity of podcasts has skyrocketed in the last few years, he’s become a household name.
If you’re a fan, you might think you know everything there is to know about the guy. But we’re here to tell you there’s a lot more to him than just a bald head and a mic. Did you know he worked for Disney at one point? Yea, the guy who goes on rants about conspiracy theories and only eats meat worked for the mouse. We’ll go through his history with martial arts, odd jobs, and even a strange family connection you had no idea about.
1. He holds two black belts
Joe Rogan holds two black belts in martial arts. He earned his first black belt in Taekwondo at just 15 years old and went on to become a Massachusetts state champion for four consecutive years. By 19, he won the US Open Taekwondo Championship, even defeating heavier opponents to claim the Grand Championship.
In Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Rogan trained under legends like Jean Jacques Machado and Eddie Bravo. He received his black belt in 2010 from both instructors—one for traditional gi training and another for no-gi.
2. He worked a lot of odd jobs
Before Joe Rogan became a household name, he worked a variety of odd jobs to make ends meet. At 19, he was a security guard at Great Woods in Massachusetts. Rogan also worked grueling construction jobs, often waking up at 7 a.m. to carry wood all day, leaving him utterly exhausted.
He juggled other jobs while pursuing his stand-up comedy career in Boston. He taught martial arts at Boston University, delivered newspapers, drove a limousine, and even assisted a private investigator.
3. He got his big break with Disney
In 1994, Rogan signed a developmental deal with Disney, marking a turning point in his career. At the time, Rogan was struggling financially as a stand-up comedian in Los Angeles. The deal led to his role in the sitcom Hardball, where he appeared in nine episodes. Although the show was short-lived, it opened doors for Rogan in Hollywood and gave him his first taste of financial stability.
Rogan has often reflected on the relief he felt upon receiving his first six-figure paycheck from Disney. He described it as a "weight lifted off" his shoulders, as it allowed him to stop worrying about basic needs like food and rent. This opportunity laid the foundation for his later successes in acting, hosting, and eventually becoming a podcasting giant
4. He started his UFC career in 1997
Rogan began his UFC career in 1997 as a backstage and post-fight interviewer during UFC 12 in Alabama. His passion for martial arts and natural charisma made him a standout. After a brief hiatus, he returned in 2002 as a color commentator, initially working for free in exchange for event tickets.
Today, Rogan is a cornerstone of UFC broadcasts. His black belts come in handy because he is able to blend his deep knowledge of combat sports with his enthusiastic commentary.
5. He was the original host of Fear Factor
Rogan became the original host of Fear Factor in 2001. Before landing the gig, he was known for his stand-up comedy and acting on shows like NewsRadio. Producers thought his bold personality and humor were perfect for the wild stunts on the show.
He hosted Fear Factor for six seasons, from 2001 to 2006. He guided contestants through crazy challenges like eating bugs and jumping off buildings. His reactions and jokes made the show even more entertaining. Fans loved his fearless energy and fun attitude.
6. He once fought a contestant on Fear Factor
During a Fear Factor episode, Joe Rogan faced an unexpected challenge—a contestant! In a heated moment, Hollywood producer Jonathan Baker confronted Rogan after his wife, Victoria Fuller, had an altercation with another contestant. Things escalated quickly, and Rogan ended up putting Baker in a headlock!
The situation was so intense that WWE star The Miz had to step in to break it up. Rogan later revealed the contestant had a history of violence, making the incident even more dramatic. Fear Factor turned into Fight Factor that night.
7. He loves psychedelics
Rogan is a vocal advocate for psychedelics, often discussing their transformative potential on his podcast. He believes substances like psilocybin and DMT can unlock higher consciousness, aid in personal growth, and even have played a role in human evolution.
He frequently references the "Stoned Ape Theory," suggesting that early humans' consumption of psychedelics contributed to the development of language and culture. He often talks about how they help with mental conditions like PTSD and depression.
Rogan often emphasizes the need for responsible use and further research to fully understand their potential, though.
8. He paid $10,000 a month to play Quake for 10 hours a day
Rogan once spent $10,000 a month to play Quake, a popular first-person shooter game known for its fast-paced action and multiplayer deathmatches. Back in the day, Rogan upgraded to a T1 internet line—an expensive luxury at the time—to ensure smooth gameplay. He would dedicate 8 to 10 hours a day to mastering the game.
9. He almost fought Wesley Snipes
Joe Rogan nearly faced off against actor Wesley Snipes in a UFC fight. Snipes was having financial troubles with the IRS at the time and wanted to do a high-profile pay-per-view event to bring in some extra cash. UFC producers suggested Rogan, who was hosting Fear Factor at the time.
Rogan, a seasoned martial artist with a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the time, was confident he could win. He believed Snipes, despite his black belt in Shotokan Karate, lacked the grappling skills to compete. Rogan was ready to sign the contract, but the fight ultimately fell through, leaving fans to wonder what could have been.
10. He had hair plugs at one point
It’s hard to imagine one of the most famous bald men today with hair, but there was a time. In his late twenties, he was losing his natural hair though and was willing to do anything to save it. That’s how he ended up doing three hair restoration surgeries before thirty.
Looking back now, he says those surgeries were the dumbest thing he ever did. They didn’t save his hair and actually just left him with a giant scar across the back of his head. It was in his mid forties that he decided to take the plunge and shave his head.
11. He had his own conspiracy show
Rogan is famous for pushing quite a few conspiracy theories, but did you know this actually gained him his own conspiracy theory investigation show, Joe Rogan Questions Everything?
The show aired on SyFy in 2013 but was cancelled after just six episodes. In it, he investigated famous conspiracies such as Bigfoot, UFOs, and psychics. Just like every other show “investigating” these things, he didn’t uncover anything.
12. He has vitiligo on his hands and feet
Have you ever really noticed Rogan’s hands? He has vitiligo, a condition that causes patches of skin to lose pigment. For him, these pale spots appear on his hands and feet.
He has openly discussed his experience with the condition, and even said on his podcast that his vitiligo improved slightly with “spots filling in” while he was doing the carnivore diet, where one only eats animal products.
13. He is cousins with Gerad Way
What do podcaster and comedian Joe Rogan and My Chemical Romance lead vocalist Gerard Way have in common? Well, family, apparently. The two are related. Rogan’s grandmother, Josephine Spadone, is Gerard Way’s aunt.
Unfortunately, the two don’t actually know each other. They’ve never met in real life or even spoken, but maybe one day we’ll get a podcast episode together. Who knows.
