Mike Tyson: “I Am Going To Tear His Soul Apart” | E57 | In Search Of Excellence podcast

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Episode description

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Episode description

My guest today is Mike Tyson, a former heavyweight boxing champion of the world and one of the greatest boxers of all time! At the age of 20, he became the youngest boxer ever to win a heavyweight title. He was the first heavyweight boxer to simultaneously hold WBA, WBC, and IDF titles and a member of the international boxing Hall of Fame.

Mike has appeared in many movies and TV shows. He is the actor and creator of a one-man Broadway show Undisputed Truth, and the author of the best-selling book of the same name.

Mike is also a very successful entrepreneur and a founder of two cannabis companies, including Tyson 2.0. He is an incredible person and a dedicated philanthropist through his Mike Tyson’s Care foundation, and the support of other charities including The Make a Wish Foundation and The Special Olympics.

(00:00) Mike’s childhood

His dad was a pimp, his mom an alcoholic and a sex industry worker

He was bullied in his childhood ("you can’t run from them, you must confront them")

Started robbing people to buy food for his pigeons

A traumatic event with the birds that changed him

Mike's first fight and from being bullied, to being the bully

Went pick-pocketing and stealing with his friends

Started with crime at 11, by the age of 13, he was arrested more than 37 times

The stealing mentality - nobody else matters

His mom encouraged him to steal (his goal was to be a professional criminal)

(18:13) Juvenile facilities and Mike’s first steps in boxing

Watched the movie “The Greatest”, the story of Mohammed Ali

Transferred to Elwood Cottage

Mike was always handcuffed in a dangerous environment

Met Bobby Stewart who inspired him to finish school and started training him

At 13, Bobby wanted to take him to the next level - introduced him to Cus D'Amato

(21:14) Mike’s first mentor - Cus D'Amato

Relationship with Cus D’Amato (Cus taught him to never give up)

Cus became a father figure for him

The time Mike first experienced love

Cus saw in him the future world champion

Working out for 6 hours a day while going to school

Wanted to get kicked out of school, but Cus didn’t allow that

There is no progress without struggle (study about rats)

(29:32) The beginning of his fighting career

At 18, a fight with Hector Mercedes - beat him in one round

Wasn't afraid of losing, but being a bad loser

Mike's desire to be the world champion consumed him completely

Became the youngest boxing champion ever

His mother’s reaction - never got affirmed by her

(34:57) From millions of dollars to bankruptcy

Started making millions of dollars (became highest paid athlete in the world)

Went bankrupt being reckless, didn’t know how