Wrestling with Success and Failure ft. Zion Clark

Zion Clark was born on September 29th, 1997 in Columbus, OH, with a rare birth defect called Caudal Regression Syndrome that left him without legs. Adopted at the age of 17, two weeks before becoming homeless, saved him in many ways. 

 

You might know him. from. America's Got Talent, or on Instagram as Big_z_2020, or as the elite wrestler or from his inspirational documentary on Netflix called Zion. Being born without legs hasn't slowed down our guest today on Chats and Tatts.

 

Zion, a former Kent State wrestler born with no legs, made his professional MMA debut a success in 2022.  He won a unanimous decision over non-disabled opponent Eugene Murray at an event in San Diego called Gladiator Challenge: Seasons Beatings.

 

Host Aaron Della Vedova dives into the crucial role of having a dominant mindset in wrestling or fighting, and in life. Aaron also reflects on his personal journey of self-awareness and growth. He acknowledges that he was once arrogant and failed to fully recognize the privilege he had as a white male in America. However, as he has matured, he has become more aware of his privilege and understands that not everyone is automatically granted favorable circumstances in life.  They touch on childhood trauma and its effects on adulthood,  and his love for tattoos. 

 

Join Aaron and Zion for this candid and inspiring conversation.   

 

Chat Breakdown:

 

[00:01:20] Acknowledging my privileged upbringing.

[00:04:21] Overcoming adversity and achieving success.

[00:09:04] Collecting information through losses.

[00:14:33] Fire and determination.

[00:17:25] Finding Inner Warrior

[00:22:09] Christian and Buddhist beliefs.

[00:26:31] Existence without exposure to Christianity.

[00:31:23] Childhood trauma and its effects.

[00:36:15] Inequality and human connection.

[00:42:29] Staying hydrated during training.

[00:45:36] Weed and athletics.

[00:54:48] Flow state in wrestling.

[00:57:32] Freedom of speech and censorship.

[01:02:04] Foster care system reform.

[01:06:55] The ring of fire.

 

Quotes:

"No, fighting gets you into fighting shape. That's why you see these little guys knocking out these big dudes, not because they're stronger than them. They just actually know how to fight. Shit's about to go down."

"I am Zion Clark in Big Z, but I'm also the world's fastest man on two hands, three-time world record holder. I'm also multiple-time All-American at Kent State University."

"Because it's truth. Exactly. And truth, a universal truth I would call it. Universal truth always shows up no matter where you go, no matter what language they're speaking. The truth is the freaking truth, right?"

"Yeah, you get the money from the foster care system, then you get the government-assisted money. So you're a big ticket out of it. You make more money. I was a motherfucking piggy bank."

"I'm regular, yeah, regular food. Dude, I went to the national championships, and the morning that I placed, I had eight soft potato soft tacos from Taco Bell."

"I call it the ring of fire. I think there are the universe, God, call it what you want, is prepared to give us our dreams, but it never just gives them to you right away. It wants to say to you, you really want this? Yeah, I really want this. Okay, I'm gonna make you suffer for just a little while, because I want to make sure it's not talking shit."

"Dude, I lost for years on end, bro. But it was really like... You gotta just learn from your mistakes. And so I just kept coming back and I kept getting my ass kicked and I just kept going back and kept getting my ass kicked."

"Thank you for fucking leaning into life and just taking advantage of all the gifts it has given you and crushing and being an inspiration to so many."

 

Connect with Zion Clark:

https://www.zionclark.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/bigz97/?hl=en

 

Connect with Aaron:⁠ 

Website: http://www.chatsandtatts.com⁠

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chatsandtatts

IG: http://www.instagram.com/chatsandtatts