Uploaded December 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Collegiate wrestling record holder, Team USA Olympian, professional mixed martial artist, and UFC championship fighter. That’s Marcus’ guest – Ben Askren - on this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast. Marcus and Ben discuss how his unorthodox style earned him the nickname “Funky”, as he puts his opponents in scramble situations. Ben credits his dad for introducing him to the sport, and he really got serious when he joined a wrestling club in 6th grade. The combination of natural talent and a relentless workout regimen made him one of the most successful athletes in collegiate history, setting several records, as well as experiencing great success as an MMA fighter as well.
In this episode you will hear:
I get to work with kids who want to work really hard. They come in the gym and bust their ass.
I hated team sports because I really wanted to win and others on my team didn’t share that sentiment.
In wrestling, it was just me and the other person. I could always determine my destiny.
We don’t want to force kids. We want them to love the sport and know what it’s gonna take to be special. We want to put great coaches in front of kids to give them a good opportunity to succeed in wrestling.
There are kids that don’t have a strong role model, so I have such an important role to play.
Great things take a long time.
The Olympics suck because once you lose, you don’t get another shot for 4 years.
Having a high-level background in something is important. You need to find a compliment.
Who can impose their will more significantly, is important when skill levels are equivalent.
Innovation – learning how to scramble. What I was doing was not working. I had to think outside myself for other options.
I wasn’t having the success I wanted, so it was like “Shit, how can I do this?”
—
For More Fun, Follow:
Team Never Quit
Instagram: instagram.com/team_neverquit
Marcus Luttrell
Instagram: instagram.com/marcusluttrell
Morgan Luttrell:
Instagram: instagram.com/mojoluttrell
Andrew Brockenbush:
instagram.com/andrewbrockenbush
—
Support the Show
patreon.com/teamneverquit
—
Special Thanks / Credits
Executive Producer & Artwork - Andrew Brockenbush
Audio Engineer - Joey Garza
Video Editor - John Fritzsching
—
About TNQ Podcast:
Each week join Retired Navy SEAL and Lone Survivor Marcus Luttrell, Morgan Luttrell, and Producer Andrew Brockenbush as they’ll take you into the “briefing room” to chat with incredible guests who share their greatest never quit stories. This humorous, heartfelt, and entertaining podcast is changing lives and has become a beacon of hope and resilience to those who are facing the impossible. One of the best ways we can support our community is to share their stories so that we might inspire others to Never Quit.
We’re bringing you real-life stories of men and women who took life’s toughest challenges and met them head-on, radically changing their own lives and inspiring others to do the same.
Collegiate wrestling record holder, Team USA Olympian, professional mixed martial artist, and UFC championship fighter. That’s Marcus’ guest – Ben Askren - on this week’s Team Never Quit Podcast. Marcus and Ben discuss how his unorthodox style earned him the nickname “Funky”, as he puts his opponents in scramble situations. Ben credits his dad for introducing him to the sport, and he really got serious when he joined a wrestling club in 6th grade. The combination of natural talent and a relentless workout regimen made him one of the most successful athletes in collegiate history, setting several records, as well as experiencing great success as an MMA fighter as well.
In this episode you will hear:
I get to work with kids who want to work really hard. They come in the gym and bust their ass.
I hated team sports because I really wanted to win and others on my team didn’t share that sentiment.
In wrestling, it was just me and the other person. I could always determine my destiny.
We don’t want to force kids. We want them to love the sport and know what it’s gonna take to be special. We want to put great coaches in front of kids to give them a good opportunity to succeed in wrestling.
There are kids that don’t have a strong role model, so I have such an important role to play.
Great things take a long time.
The Olympics suck because once you lose, you don’t get another shot for 4 years.
Having a high-level background in something is important. You need to find a compliment.
Who can impose their will more significantly, is important when skill levels are equivalent.
Innovation – learning how to scramble. What I was doing was not working. I had to think outside myself for other options.
I wasn’t having the success I wanted, so it was like “Shit, how can I do this?”
—
For More Fun, Follow:
Team Never Quit
Instagram: instagram.com/team_neverquit
Marcus Luttrell
Instagram: instagram.com/marcusluttrell
Morgan Luttrell:
Instagram: instagram.com/mojoluttrell
Andrew Brockenbush:
instagram.com/andrewbrockenbush
—
Support the Show
patreon.com/teamneverquit
—
Special Thanks / Credits
Executive Producer & Artwork - Andrew Brockenbush
Audio Engineer - Joey Garza
Video Editor - John Fritzsching
—
About TNQ Podcast:
Each week join Retired Navy SEAL and Lone Survivor Marcus Luttrell, Morgan Luttrell, and Producer Andrew Brockenbush as they’ll take you into the “briefing room” to chat with incredible guests who share their greatest never quit stories. This humorous, heartfelt, and entertaining podcast is changing lives and has become a beacon of hope and resilience to those who are facing the impossible. One of the best ways we can support our community is to share their stories so that we might inspire others to Never Quit.
We’re bringing you real-life stories of men and women who took life’s toughest challenges and met them head-on, radically changing their own lives and inspiring others to do the same.
