Podcast Summary:

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show — David Rutherford Show: Why Most Men Are Weak (And How to Fix It) – Bas Rutten
Release Date: January 5, 2026
Guest: Bas Rutten (MMA Legend, Coach, Entrepreneur)
Host: David Rutherford
Podcast Producer: iHeartPodcasts

Main Theme

In this episode, host David Rutherford delves into masculinity, discipline, and personal growth with Bas Rutten, a world-renowned MMA fighter and coach. Together, they explore why many modern men are "weak"—not necessarily physically, but emotionally and spiritually—and how habits, discipline, and intentional living can reverse this trend. The discussion weaves together insights from fighting, military training, psychological resilience, and faith, offering actionable guidance on becoming stronger, more fulfilled men.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Bas Rutten’s Background with Violence and Military Training

• Working with SEAL Teams: Bas shares that his perspective on toughness changed when he began training Navy SEALs; his admiration for their discipline and reliability shaped his own approach to life. (02:29)
  • “I always thought I was a tough guy and then I meet these guys and I go, maybe not so tough.” (Bas Rutten, 02:29)
• Discipline and Timeliness: Admired how SEALs live by their word and show up early; habits and reliability are central. (03:25)
  • “What they say they do... when they say they’re there, seven o’clock, they’re going to be there quarter to seven. And that’s me.” (Bas Rutten, 04:37)

The Modern Problem: Men and Lack of Discipline

• Softness and Dopamine Culture: Bas argues that society’s comfort and easy pleasure-seeking have eroded resilience (“everyone wants to be happy and we all buy our happiness... but pleasure is not happiness”). (06:14)
  • Example: 1890s people paid to see a 400-pound man as a circus act, now it’s common due to lack of discipline.
• Pleasure vs. Discipline: Reliance on material comforts and the dopamine rush from constant stimulus (phones, internet, etc.) prevents real fulfillment.
  • “We complain about everything. We have the best... 100 years ago we didn’t have warm showers.” (Bas Rutten, 06:50)

The Importance of Building Habits

• Self-Control Defines a Man: Bas stresses that a “real man” is master of his mind and body, able to resist vices and stick to commitments—even when difficult.
  • “A real man is in control of his mind and his body... the man who can say no after two drinks to a third drink, who can say no to all the freaking vices out there.” (Bas Rutten, 08:03)
  • “Once you start lying to yourself, that’s when addiction, that’s where everything starts...” (Bas Rutten, 10:20)

How to Initiate Change & Develop Strength

• Honesty as Step One: Bas and Dave agree that recognizing your weak points without sugarcoating is crucial.
  • “If you look in the mirror, you’re grossly overweight. You’re fat. That’s what you should call it... Call it what it is.” (Bas Rutten, 13:03)
• Small Steps Build Confidence: Recommends starting with just six weeks of clean eating and gym time—seeing change will inspire more.
  • “You’re going to be blown away with what you can do in six weeks, with watching your food and working out.” (Bas Rutten, 13:51)

Psychological Impediments: The Nature of Fear

• Preparation Diminishes Fear: Both host and guest agree that fear is universal—especially in combat or missions—but can be managed through preparation and repetition. (16:15, 17:37)
  • “You don’t know how you react the first time... But people who start controlling it, like they can do it in the gym, which took like nine fights for me.” (Bas Rutten, 18:08)
• Fear as a Necessary Companion: Fear keeps fighters sharp, but if you remove all fear, you risk making mistakes.

On Fighting, Training, and Developing Expertise

• Tailored Training: Bas explains his methodical approach to fight prep: analyzing opponents’ habits, drilling thousands of times, and the importance of filming and critiquing oneself.
  • “If I tell people I did combinations 10, thousands of times, I really mean it. I’m a crazy animal, man.” (Bas Rutten, 24:01)
• The Dangers of Ego and External Pressure: Fighters often psych themselves out by focusing on public perception; detaching from what others think allows for better performance.
  • “If you fight for other people... you’re putting too much pressure on yourself.” (Bas Rutten, 30:22)

Faith and Masculinity

• Faith as a Source of Strength: Bas credits his return to Catholicism with helping him regain control over vices and find meaning; true fulfillment requires being true to yourself, not chasing external pleasures.
  • “You start realizing, wow, why didn’t I do this when I was 20? Why have I been such an idiot?” (Bas Rutten, 35:56)
• Reconciling Christian Values & Warrior Ethos: Bas sees no conflict between being a Christian and a fighter; fighting can be a game or a necessary defense.
  • “For you, it’s easy. You’re protecting the sheep, right? You guys are the sheepdogs and you protect the sheep from the wolf...” (Bas Rutten, 39:58)

How to Get Strong: Practical Guidance for Young Men

• Focus on Perfect Basics First: Urges beginners to master fundamentals—don’t get distracted by flashy techniques.
  • “Perfect practice makes perfect. … If you do it [a] thousand times wrong, now you have to unlearn all that stuff again.” (Bas Rutten, 54:54)
• Building Discipline Develops Self-Love: True discipline means saying no to immediate pleasure for greater future benefit.
  • “Discipline is the highest form of self love you can have. It’s saying no to something that you really want right now in order to get something better later on.” (Bas Rutten, 55:58)
• Destroy One Vice at a Time: Advises to identify and tackle your biggest vice first (“For me... it was always alcohol... Once alcohol was gone, all the other ones just fell...”).

Recommended Resources

• Book Recommendation: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho—sets the stage for goal-setting and self-discovery, regardless of field. (49:48)
• Bas’s Platforms:
  • YouTube channel for fighter tutorials, tips, and endurance advice.
  • “TheFightingMachine.com” for custom training programs.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Comfort Culture:
  “We don’t have time... you spent eight hours a day on that freaking thing. So it needs a big change. I think we see it already. A lot of kids are starting to see it because they want to be like a tough guy.” (Bas Rutten, 08:34)

• On True Strength:
  “A real man is in control of his mind and of his body. And once you’re that, that’s a real man.” (Bas Rutten, 08:03)

• On the Power of Habits:
  “Once the habit is there, you got to be very vigilant because as easy… It’s not easy to get, to acquire it, but it’s really easy to lose it again…” (Bas Rutten, 09:56)

• On Faith and Fulfillment:
  “That hole that you’re searching for, it gets filled and it’s not material. It’s nothing that you can buy. It’s just being true to yourself.” (Bas Rutten, 37:07)

• On Training:
  “If I tell people I did combinations 10, thousands of times, I really mean it.” (Bas Rutten, 24:01)

• On Discipline:
  “Discipline is the highest form of self love you can have.” (Bas Rutten, 55:58)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Military Influence and Discipline Foundations – 02:29 - 05:16
• What’s Wrong With Modern Masculinity – 06:14 - 09:30
• Habits, Self-Control and Change – 09:36 - 13:03
• Practical Path to Change – 13:03 - 16:15
• Managing Fear, Preparation and Practice – 16:15 - 21:00
• Best Methods for Training & Performance – 22:55 - 32:46
• Faith and the Search for Fulfillment – 32:46 - 37:11
• Faith vs. Violence, Modern Fight Scene – 39:37 - 42:36
• Advice to Aspiring Fighters and Young Men – 42:36 - 56:52
• Endurance & Breathing, Where to Find Bas – 57:04 - 60:57

Summary for Listeners

This episode is a powerful roadmap for anyone—particularly young men—who wants to become stronger, more disciplined, and more fulfilled. Bas Rutten and David Rutherford don’t just talk fighting; they talk about the habits, purpose, and faith that make a man resilient and focused. Their advice goes far beyond technique: build habits, tackle vices head-on, master the basics, practice extreme honesty, and cultivate faith or meaning to fill the inevitable voids of modern life.

Whether you’re interested in martial arts or just want to get stronger and more grounded, this conversation delivers wisdom, humor, and direct advice from men who've been at the pinnacle of both physical and internal struggle.

Further Resources

• Bas Rutten on YouTube – Tutorials and philosophy
• FightingMachine.com – 8-week course and training plans
• “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho – Book recommendation

Closing Wisdom

“Discipline is the highest form of self love you can have. It’s saying no to something that you really want right now in order to get something better later on.”
(Bas Rutten, 55:58)

For full context and practical stories, listen to the conversation in its entirety.