What happens when a legendary fighter realizes that fighting was never who he really was? UFC legend Mark Kerr, “The Smashing Machine,” joins retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Josh 'Atlas' Aultman on Targeted Podcast for a powerful conversation about MMA, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the psychology of fighting, addiction, mental health, and finding purpose after fame. Mark Kerr reveals a side of professional fighting that few athletes openly discuss: the addictive feeling of breaking an opponent's will. He explains the intense psychological transformation that occurred when he entered the ring and why it took him more than a decade to separate his identity from his fighting career. But this interview goes far beyond the UFC. Mark shares personal stories about his experiences with Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, and director Benny Safdie during the making and promotion of The Smashing Machine. He explains what makes The Rock different behind the scenes, including the extraordinary ability to give someone his complete attention, even when surrounded by hundreds of people. In this episode: - Mark Kerr's untold perspective on the dark psychology of MMA - Why winning and breaking an opponent's will can become addictive - What Dwayne Johnson is really like away from the cameras - The unique superpowers of Emily Blunt, Benny Safdie, and The Rock - The emotional challenges of retiring from professional fighting - Why money, fame, championships, and material success didn't bring fulfillment - Mental health, emotional vulnerability, and personal transformation - Mark Kerr's wellness mission through Live Absolute Wellness - His upcoming book, The Healing Machine - Why human connection matters more than recognition or wealth - Finding your identity after leaving the military, professional sports, or a high-pressure career - “Fighting is what I did. It's not who I am.” — Mark Kerr Atlas and Mark also explore the Rule of 3: people, time, and money, and why the most valuable resource in life isn't a championship belt or a paycheck. It's the time we spend with the people who matter. Whether you're a UFC fan, an athlete moving out of competition, a military veteran, an entrepreneur, or a man searching for greater purpose, this conversation offers lessons about resilience, identity, and what it really means to be strong. CONNECT WITH MARK KERR Instagram: @MarkKerrTSM Absoulute Wellness: https://absoulute-wellness.com/ Learn more about Mark's wellness work through his official social channels. Watch for announcements about his upcoming book, The Healing Machine. ABOUT TARGETED PODCAST Hosted by Atlas Aultman, retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, 2X Bronze Star recipient, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author of Rule of 3 – How Elite Leaders Win. Targeted Podcast features conversations with elite performers, fighters, military leaders, entrepreneurs, and people who have overcome extraordinary adversity. Our mission: Help men become stronger mentally, physically, and personally. Subscribe to Targeted Podcast for real conversations about leadership, resilience, masculinity, mental toughness, and personal growth. QUESTION FOR YOU: If you lost your career, your money, and your titles tomorrow, who would you be? Tell us in the comments. #MarkKerr #TheSmashingMachine #DwayneJohnson #UFC #TargetedPodcast Chapters: 1 Mark Kerr: Life After The Smashing Machine 2 Live Absolute Wellness and the Future of Health 3 Why Reputation Matters More Than Money 4 Mark Kerr on Fame, Millions, and Feeling Empty 5 Why Human Connection Changed His Life 6 Mark Kerr's Personal Stories About Dwayne Johnson 7 Emily Blunt, Benny Safdie, and Their Superpowers 8 Dwayne Johnson's Real Superpower Revealed 9 The Dark Psychology of MMA Fighting 10 Mark Kerr: I Was Addicted to Breaking Their Will 11 The Healing Machine — Mark Kerr's New Book 12 Finding Identity After Leaving the UFC 13 Why Fighting Was Never Who Mark Kerr Really Was 14 Final Lessons on Resilience and Purpose DISCOUNTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY: https://gravity-force.com - best electrolytes, discount code: ATLAS15 https://www.buckedup.com - creatine+ 20% discount: ATLAS25 https://leaders-kit.com - leadership, management, media consultations https://blackeaglecustoms.us/collections/targeted-podcast - Merch https://www.getfightscrub.com - all natural disinfectant, code: FIGHTSCRUBATLAS ****INNER CIRCLE**** Message us at win@leaders-kit.com to join our smaller community, it's FREE and you'll get exclusive access to interviews we don't publish. Share this with someone who would love it. Aim for excellence AND stay on target, thank-you for tuning into TARGETED Podcast.

What happens when one of the most feared fighters in UFC history discovers that his greatest battle isn't inside the cage?

In Part 1 of this exclusive two-part Targeted Podcast interview, UFC Hall of Famer Mark "The Smashing Machine" Kerr joins retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Atlas Aultman for a powerful conversation about the hidden cost of fighting, addiction, sobriety, mental health, and rebuilding life after professional sports.

Known for his legendary career in the UFC and PRIDE Fighting Championships, Mark Kerr became the subject of the groundbreaking documentary The Smashing Machine, later inspiring the feature film starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. But behind the victories, the fame, and the image of an unstoppable fighter was a man fighting battles the public couldn't see. In this conversation, Mark shares how years of competition affected his life, why he struggled with addiction, what eight years of sobriety have taught him, and how he's working to help other retired MMA fighters.

IN THIS EPISODE: The untold story behind The Smashing Machine documentary Mark Kerr's relationship with filmmaker John Greenhalgh How addiction and the pressure to perform affected his career The moment Mark finally opened up about his struggles His experience with brain mapping, TMS, and neurological treatments Why mental health matters for UFC fighters and military veterans How mountain biking became part of his recovery journey Working with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson on The Smashing Machine His vision for bringing retired UFC fighters together Why sharing your struggles can give someone else the courage to speak WATCH PART 2 Next week, OR, REQUEST THE LINK This is Part 1 of our two-part conversation with Mark Kerr.

Want to continue the interview or request access to the full conversation? 📩 Email win@leaders-kit.com with the subject line: MARK KERR FULL EPISODE

We'll help you get the link to continue watching and connect you to other amazing FULL EPISODES with UFC, MLB, Strongmen, celebrities, and other champions.

ABOUT TARGETED PODCAST Hosted by retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, international bestselling author, and leadership speaker Atlas Aultman, Targeted Podcast explores the mindset, discipline, resilience, and decisions that shape extraordinary lives.

Through conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, entrepreneurs, and remarkable individuals, Targeted helps you develop the strength to overcome adversity and take control of your future. Subscribe for real conversations about mental toughness, personal development, leadership, and what it takes to win in life.

****CONNECT WITH MARK KERR**** Instagram: @markkerrtsm Absoulute Wellness: https://absoulute-wellness.com/ Upcoming book: *The Healing Machine* (availability to be announced)

****CONNECT WITH ATLAS AULTMAN**** Website: https://leaders-kit.com Instagram: @atlas_aultman

****GET INTO OUR INNER CIRCLE:**** Email: win@leaders-kit.com

DISCLAIMER: This episode discusses addiction, neurological health, and treatments from Mark Kerr's personal experience. The conversation is not medical advice. Treatment experiences and outcomes vary. #MarkKerr #TheSmashingMachine #UFC #TargetedPodcast #DwayneJohnson

DISCOUNTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY: https://gravity-force.com - best electrolytes, discount code: ATLAS15 https://www.buckedup.com - creatine+ 20% discount: ATLAS25 https://leaders-kit.com - leadership, management, media consultations https://blackeaglecustoms.us/collections/targeted-podcast - Merch https://www.getfightscrub.com - all natural disinfectant, code: FIGHTSCRUBATLAS GUEST APPLICATIONS: win@leaders-kit.com Share this with someone who would love it. Aim for excellence AND stay on target, thank-you for tuning into TARGETED Podcast.

Jojo “$moke” Griffin is a rising MMA star fighter who always finishes a fight and keeps a relentless training schedule with one goal: UFC. In this episode of Targeted with Atlas Aultman, Jojo SMOKE Griffin opens up about his journey from a small California town to becoming one of the most exciting MMA prospects to watch. He talks about training multiple times a day at Red Hawk Academy, preparing for his professional MMA debut, studying fighters when everyone else is relaxing, and developing the mindset required to step into a cage believing you cannot be broken. But this conversation goes much deeper than fighting. Jojo discusses his faith in God, growing up in a Catholic family, losing his opportunity to play college football during COVID, discovering MMA, and how his first loss inside the cage ultimately became one of the most important moments of his career. He also explains the psychology of fighting, entering a flow state, dealing with fear and negative thoughts, visualization, gratitude, sacrifice, film study, adapting during a fight, and why he believes the mind often quits before the body does. Jojo’s philosophy is simple: “Don’t let anyone break your spirit.” This is a conversation about MMA—but it’s also about what happens when a young man becomes completely committed to mastering his craft. In this episode: • Jojo “Smoke” Griffin’s MMA journey • Training with UFC fighters and shooting with Badger Asher • 100% finish rate • Preparing for his professional MMA debut • Training at Red Hawk Academy • The transition from football to MMA • How losing changed his mindset • Faith, God, risk, and opportunity • Training two to three times per day • Film study and gaining an advantage over opponents • Developing an MMA flow state • Mental preparation before entering the cage • Why gratitude is part of his training • Turning setbacks into fuel • His goal of reaching the UFC • Why “the scars make the man” • The mentality of becoming impossible to break Targeted is hosted by Atlas Aultman and features conversations about leadership, resilience, mindset, performance, adversity, and the people willing to do difficult things in pursuit of excellence. Subscribe for more conversations with fighters, veterans, leaders, athletes, authors, and high performers. Aim for excellence. Stay on target. Topics/estimated timestamps: 00:00 — Jojo “Smoke” Griffin preview 01:00 — 100% Finish Rate & Finding an Opponent 03:00 — Training 2–3 Times a Day 05:00 — Shooting, Fighting & Practicing Precision 07:00 — Training With Elite MMA Fighters 08:00 — Faith in God & Walking Through Open Doors 10:00 — Growing Up in Small-Town California 11:00 — Football Dreams End During COVID 12:00 — Discovering MMA & His First Fight 13:00 — Building a Complete MMA Fighter 15:00 — Why Jojo Studies Every Fighter 17:00 — The Loss That Changed Everything 19:00 — “The Scars Make the Man” 21:00 — Coming Back and Dominating 23:00 — What It Feels Like Inside the Cage 25:00 — Finding the Flow State in a Fight 28:00 — Winning the Fight in Your Mind 31:00 — “You’re Going to Have to Kill Me” 3200 — Don’t Let Anyone Break Your Spirit 34:00 — Gratitude, Discipline & Becoming a Champion 35:00 — Jojo Griffin’s UFC Goal LINKS: https://www.instagram.com/jojomma/ https://redhawkacademyaz.com/ https://www.guntvshows.com/ DISCOUNTS FOR OUR COMMUNITY: https://gravity-force.com - best electrolytes, discount code: ATLAS15 https://www.buckedup.com - creatine+ 20% discount: ATLAS25 https://leaders-kit.com - leadership, management, media consultations https://blackeaglecustoms.us/collections/targeted-podcast - Merch https://www.getfightscrub.com - all natural disinfectant, code: FIGHTSCRUBATLAS GUEST APPLICATIONS: win@leaders-kit.com Share this with someone who you know would like it. Aim for excellence AND stay on target, thank-you for tuning into TARGETED Podcast. This show was filmed the greater PHOENIX Area by Podworks Studios and is entirely made in the U.S.A.