Mitch Aguiar | Navy SEAL, MMA Fighter & Entrepreneur on Business, Fighting & Mindset for Success

Mitch Aguiar is a former Navy SEAL, professional MMA fighter, and the Founder of MASF (Mitch Aguiar Smashin’ Frog) Supplements, Violent Hippie (a BJJ academy & merch brand), and Adopt-a-Cop BJJ (a non-profit that helps police officers learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu). In this conversation, we discuss Mitch’s strong Navy family influence growing up and why he decided to become a SEAL, the rise of his competitive fighting career, and how he transitioned out of the military to become an entrepreneur. We also talk about the impact of the pandemic era on his businesses, the mistakes and lessons he learned around scaling and team building as a business owner, and his viral moment in 2024 when he faced UFC champion Sean Strickland in a sparring challenge.

Partners:

JNGL ATHLETICO:  https://jnglathletico.com?sca_ref=5391573.ojJfvDfSXJ  Use code NICHOLSANDDIMEZ for 25% off

HOSTAGE TAPE:  https://www.hostagetape.com/CHRIS28059 

PURE HIMALAYAN SHILAJIT: https://www.purehimalayanshilajit.com/?ref=4021  Use code DIMEZ for 40% off

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction | Mitch Aguiar’s Journey from Navy SEAL to Entrepreneur

04:00 - Growing Up in a Military Family | Becoming a Navy SEAL

15:06 - Cam Hanes Podcast, David Goggins, Social Media Struggles & Business During the Pandemic 

21:16 - Mitch Aguiar’s MMA Journey | Transitioning into Fighting

29:10 - Making Money in MMA | The Financial Struggles of UFC Fighters

35:02 - Mitch’s Entrepreneurial Start | MASF Merch & Building a Fight Brand

40:00 - The Birth of “Smashin’ Frog” | Mitch’s Personal Brand Strategy

42:02 - Creating Smashin’ Greens & MASF Supplements | The Business of Health & Performance

44:20 - Scaling a Business | Mitch’s Biggest Entrepreneurial Lesson

48:11 - MASF Marketing Strategy | Social Media & Brand Growth

51:23 - Adopt-a-Cop BJJ | Helping Police Officers Train Jiu-Jitsu

58:14 - Violent Hippie BJJ & MMA Gym | Leadership & Team Building

01:03:00 - Violent Hippie Retreats | Tactical Training & Mitch’s Next Big Goal

01:05:44 - Sparring Sean Strickland | The Navy SEAL vs. Sean Strickland Challenge

01:12:23 - Entrepreneurial Hacks | Authenticity, Branding & Optimizing Sleep for Success

Follow Mitch Aguiar:

Mitch's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitch_aguiar/ 

MASF Supplements IG: https://www.instagram.com/masf_supplements/ 

Violent Hippie IG: https://www.instagram.com/violent__hippie/

Adopt-a-Cop BJJ IG: https://www.instagram.com/adoptacopbjj/

Follow Chris Nichols:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholsanddimez

Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builtforlegacypodcast

Website: https://builtforlegacy.buzzsprout.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/built-for-legacy/id1667715105

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MAr6sSCwiyU9G1JZgeZxq?si=a7da325d67a64a72

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@builtforlegacypodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/nicholsanddimezshow/100090067950005

Contact: [e-mail]