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: chris@nicholsanddimez.com
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