In the vrss podcast, we dive into the psychology, science, and soul of combat sports.
We bring you conversations with people at the top of their fields: from world champions and legends of the game, to the doctors, neuroscientists, psychologists, and coaches pushing performance to new levels.
At its heart, vrss means two things:
You versus the fight, whatever form that takes.
And the verses that get written through it.We’re here to go deeper into those stories.
Into the internal fight, the philosophies, the truths.
Into what fighting really teaches us.
How it rewires the brain, the body, the mind.
And what strength really means - on the mats, and far beyond them.Because the outside never tells the whole story.
The real strength is from within.
In the vrss podcast, we dive into the psychology, science, and soul of combat sports.
We bring you conversations with people at the top of their fields: from world champions and legends of the game, to the doctors, neuroscientists, psychologists, and coaches pushing performance to new levels.
At its heart, vrss means two things:
You versus the fight, whatever form that takes.
And the verses that get written through it.We’re here to go deeper into those stories.
Into the internal fight, the philosophies, the truths.
Into what fighting really teaches us.
How it rewires the brain, the body, the mind.
And what strength really means - on the mats, and far beyond them.Because the outside never tells the whole story.
The real strength is from within.
Olympic boxer Tony Jeffries - a 7-time British national champion and Olympic bronze medalist at the 2008 Beijing Games - shares the fight of his life: what happens when boxing ends.
In this episode, Tony opens up about:
- Competing on the Olympic stage while battling fear and self-doubt
- The depression, drinking, and identity crisis after his forced retirement
- Moving to Los Angeles, being rejected from his first gym job, and building Box ’N Burn, later named California’s #1 gym
- How he turned his fighter’s obsession into one of the biggest boxing fitness brands on YouTube, with millions learning boxing drills, workouts, and techniques in nine different languages
- His philosophy of “Do hard things for an easy life”, and how boxing shaped him as a man, husband, and father
Watch more from Tony Jeffries on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TonyJeffries
This conversation touches on depression, mindset, and the mental battles fighters face outside the ring. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or professional. If you’re in crisis, please seek local support services in your country. You don’t have to go through it alone.
0:00 - Intro
3:28 - Fear as Fuel
10:20 - Forced Retirement
13:00 - Climbing Out
15:30 - Beverly Hills Rejection
20:30 - Building Box ’N Burn
24:00 - Boxing for Fitness
27:50 - The COVID Pivot
31:15 - Global Reach
35:40 - Obsession & Craft
46:00 - Impact Beyond Numbers
47:50 - What’s Next
51:40 - Advice for Fighters (Plan B)
54:15 - How Boxing Shaped Me
55:30 - Jiu-Jitsu & Family
59:50 - Do Hard Things, Easy Life
1:03:45 - Final Reflections
