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Joe Rogan's discovery of weed didn't start until his thirties, but that doesn't make his views any less relevant. Using cannabis daily, Rogan's candid opinion attracts millions of listeners, and for good reason.
If you write Joe Rogan's list of talents down on a piece of paper, they are indeed an eclectic mix. Martial artist, MMA commentator, comedian, game show host, actor, and an extremely outspoken cannabis activist.
That's not to say the mix is insignificant; on the contrary, Rogan has attracted a significant following, mainly because of his honest, outspoken approach to topics like cannabis legalization and his own life experiences.
WHO IS JOE ROGAN?
Joe Rogan is living proof that academic prowess is not the be-all and end-all of success. Born Joseph James Rogan, his childhood was much like anyone else's: turbulent, disruptive, and not without its problems. That didn't stop Joe from developing and pursuing topics that he found interesting.
Martial arts would catch Joe's eye in his early teens. Practicing karate, taekwondo, and kickboxing, he won numerous titles, including Massachusetts full-contact state champion for four consecutive years.
His path to success in these areas would be halted though. At twenty-one, Rogan suffered from frequent headaches, and fearing further injuries, he retired from competitive martial arts. As a natural segue, Rogan began coaching and mentoring other martial artists. However, it was his venture into comedy—a far cry from his previous gig—that would propel him into the limelight.
Comedy was the path that eventually brought Rogan to the career highlight many of us know him for, The Joe Rogan Experience podcast. His hilarious sense of humor and diverse group of guests—who discuss all manner of topics—have made the Experience nothing short of a hit.
Small comedy gigs were how Rogan developed a name for himself. “Scratching and grinding” for money, Joe would take part in stand-up comedy nights, club events, and after much perseverance, comedy television shows with networks like Disney and NBC.
CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
The show that would bring Rogan national exposure was Fear Factor on NBC. As the show's host, the program exceeded all expectations—even Rogan's—to run for multiple seasons.
The show pitted contestants against each other in a serious of gross, extreme, or terrifying challenges aimed at inducing, you guessed it, fear. If the thought of being put inside a body bag full of bugs and shut inside a morgue refrigerator (wait there's more) AND having to unlock a series of chains and padlocks that bound you in place is not your idea of fun, then the show is not for you. It was, however, a smash hit with viewers.
On to The Joe Rogan Experience; the podcast represents a culmination of the many separate but intersecting skills and characteristics of the multi-talented host. It gives him the opportunity to channel his humor and larger than life presence into meaningful discussion. The podcast is astonishingly popular, with over 30 million downloads a month.
JOE ROGAN AND MARIJUANA
To say Joe Rogan talks about weed on his podcast would be a small understatement; he talks about it a lot! But that's not a bad thing either, much like his eclectic mix of talents. Marijuana use is still heavily stigmatized, with many social circles and media outlets still refusing to discuss it, even on a medicinal level. In the vast sea of misinformation, it feels good to hear someone charismatic and enthusiastic talk about their relationship with cannabis.
Rogan is no different from the regular working man or woman. He openly admits to using marijuana daily and attributes it to helping with workouts, writing comedy, and promoting general wellbeing.
Given the number of downloads his podcast receives and the audience he has built up, his viewpoint is very influential. However, it wasn't until the age of thirty that Rogan discovered weed—a trend that is becoming more and more frequent.
BOTTOM LINE
Joe Rogan has a wife, three kids, and still wakes up every day to an alarm. He advocates the use of cannabis—proof that someone can incorporate it into their life without dropping everything else going on. Joe firmly believes in marijuana's medicinal benefits, and often questions why many politicians seem to adopt an archaic approach to the substance.
One thing's for sure, with his physique, training, and genuine experience with cannabis, nearly all politicians would lack the confidence to go head to head with him. The tide on marijuana is changing, and Joe Rogan is helping the change, one podcast at a time. The question he often asks his listeners, “What side of history do you want to be on?”
Well, we’re on Joe’s side, that’s for sure. Go Joe!
