“I Should Be Dead or in Prison”: Tito Ortiz on the Choices That Saved His Life | DSH #1632

UFC legend Tito Ortiz sits down for one of his most honest interviews ever — breaking down the rise of the UFC, the injuries that nearly ended his career, how biohacking saved his body after eight major surgeries, and the life-changing decisions that kept him out of prison… and alive. Tito opens up about fatherhood, childhood trauma, money, fame, bad decisions, rivalries, forgiveness, mental toughness, wrestling, and the moment that changed the entire direction of his life. ⭐ WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 🥋 How Tito Ortiz helped grow the UFC from the early days 🧠 Why mental strength is 90% of fighting 🩻 The surgeries, injuries & biohacking that saved his life 👨‍👦 How fatherhood and pain reshaped his mindset 🏆 The truth behind rivalry, humility & learning the hard way 🏋️‍♂️ How he trained at altitude, controlled his heart rate & built elite cardio 🛑 How one decision kept him out of federal prison 💬 Tito’s thoughts on Dana White, legacy & forgiveness 🇺🇸 Why he left California & rebuilt his life in Florida 🔄 What’s next for Tito — personally and professionally CHAPTERS 00:00 – Did Tito Expect the UFC to Get This Big? 01:00 – Gladiators, Pain & Why MMA Exploded 02:00 – Eight Surgeries & How He Finally Became Pain-Free 03:00 – Early UFC Days, Dana White & Building the Brand 04:00 – Becoming the First Two-Division Champion 05:00 – How Biohacking Saved His Body 06:00 – Mental Strength vs Physical Strength in MMA 07:00 – The Poverty, Childhood Trauma & Wrestling That Saved His Life 08:00 – Raising His Kids, Custody Battles & Breaking Cycles 09:00 – Fame, Humility & Losing Everything to Learn Everything 10:00 – Politics, Moving to Florida & The Next Chapter of Tito’s Life 🎙️ APPLY OR CONNECT 👉 Apply to be on the podcast: https://www.digitalsocialhour.com/application 📩 Business inquiries / sponsors: jenna@digitalsocialhour.com 👤 GUEST: Tito Ortiz —https://www.instagram.com/titoortizig/? 💼 SPONSORS QUINCE: https://quince.com/ds 🥗 Fuel your health with Viome: https://buy.viome.com/SEAN Use code “Sean” at checkout for a discount! 🎧 LISTEN ON 🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-social-hour/id1676846015 🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jn7LXarRlI8Hc0GtTn759 📸 Sean Kelly Instagram: @seanmikekelly ⚠️ DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed by guests on Digital Social Hour are solely those of the individuals appearing on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, Sean Kelly, or the Digital Social Hour team. While we encourage open and honest discussions, Sean Kelly is not legally responsible for any statements, claims, or opinions made by guests during the show. Listeners are encouraged to form their own opinions and seek professional advice where appropriate. The content shared is for entertainment and informational purposes only — it should not be taken as legal, medical, financial, or professional advice. We strive to present accurate and reliable information; however, we make no guarantees regarding its completeness or accuracy. The views expressed are solely those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent those of the producers or affiliates of this program. 🔥 Stay tuned for more episodes featuring top creators, founders, and innovators shaping the digital world! 🔑 KEYWORDS Tito Ortiz interview, UFC legend, UFC history, MMA story, UFC injuries, Tito Ortiz Dana White, Tito Ortiz childhood, Tito Ortiz surgeries, Tito Ortiz biohacking, MMA recovery, UFC champions, mental toughness MMA, Tito Ortiz family, Tito Ortiz politics, UFC rise, UFC OG fighters, digital social hour, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .