Mike Tyson (Live at the Wiltern) | This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von #658
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Mike Tyson attributes his love for fighting and eventual success to a childhood incident where he fought back against a bully who killed his pigeon, sparking a lifelong passion.
- ❖His mentor, Cus D'Amato, adopted him and provided structure, discipline, and unwavering belief, telling him at age 12 he would be the greatest fighter.
- ❖Tyson's past struggles with drugs and alcohol were so severe that he lacked the discipline to be a drug dealer, as he would consume his own supply.
- ❖He has been sober for nine years, viewing recovery as a constant, lifelong battle.
- ❖Tyson believes suffering is crucial for personal growth and that his challenging upbringing was necessary for him to become who he is.
- ❖He recounts a humorous encounter with Michael Jackson, who pretended not to know him despite Tyson being at the peak of his fame.
- ❖Whitney Houston visited Tyson in prison, bringing her family, highlighting their close friendship.
- ❖Tyson's wife, Kiki, is described as an "awesome mother, awesome wife, and all-around beautiful person" who provides him with immense support.
- ❖He emphasizes the importance of positive self-talk, a lesson learned from Cus D'Amato, who taught him never to say anything negative about himself.
- ❖Tyson reflects on the changing times, noting a shift towards excessive focus on sexuality and gender, and a rise in mental health issues like suicide.
Insights
1The Transformative Power of Mentorship (Cus D'Amato)
Tyson credits his mentor, Cus D'Amato, with fundamentally changing his life. D'Amato adopted him, provided a structured home environment with chores and academic expectations, and instilled discipline. Crucially, D'Amato told a 12-year-old Tyson he would be the greatest fighter in the world, a belief Tyson embraced despite his criminal past. This mentorship provided the love and protection Tyson had never experienced.
When I first met my mentor customaro... I had somebody I love and they loved me. () If anybody say something negative about me, he would attack... So we protected you. () I had to do my chores. Had to, you know, build get my grades up... I'm improving all that crap. () He was like my father. He was my adopted father. Legally adopted father. () He told me I'm the greatest fighter... at 12 and you believed him. Yes. Cuz you trusted him. Yes. ()
2Embracing Suffering and Discomfort as a Path to Greatness
Tyson asserts that he "likes to suffer" and doesn't want "good times" in the conventional sense. He believes that enduring hardship and discomfort was essential for his development into the heavyweight champion. He explicitly states that if he had a "normal" childhood with everything he needed, he would not have achieved his boxing success.
I like to suffer. I don't want no good time. () If you'd have had the things you needed as a child... I would be a [expletive]... Would you have been the heavyweight champion of the world? No. ()
3The Lifelong Battle of Addiction and the Journey to Sobriety
Tyson candidly discusses his severe past struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, stating that "getting high was my life." He reveals he has been sober for nine years but emphasizes that recovery is a "constant battle" where one is "never safe." He shares a story about a probation officer who recognized he wasn't a "tweaker" despite a positive crack test, and a humorous yet dark anecdote about a doctor and rehab staff trying to get his cocaine.
Getting high was my life. Alcohol, too. But both that was my life. () I was sober. I'm sober for 9ine years. () It's a battle. It's a battle. Some guys for 20 years all a sudden, boom, they took they go to drugs and kill themselves. It's a constant battle. () I go to my doctors... he said, 'You have some on you.' I said, 'Yeah, can I have some?' () I gave him the Coke... The [expletive] took my coke. ()
4Fame, Identity, and the Illusion of Stardom
Despite his immense fame, Tyson claims he never truly bought into the "big star" persona, knowing his true self and accomplishments, both good and bad. He recounts an interaction with Michael Jackson where Jackson feigned not knowing him, which Tyson interpreted as a competitive move by another "megastar." He reflects that fame is often an "imagination" and that his identity is rooted in his personal journey.
I know the truth that I never the big I don't never that's just a some form of imagination really being some big star. I know who I am. () He looks at me, 'Where did I know you from? I you look familiar. Where did I know you from?' I said, 'No way, Mr. Jackson. It's just a fan.' ()
5The Importance of Positive Self-Talk and Subconscious Belief
Cus D'Amato taught Tyson at a young age to "always say beautiful things about myself and never say anything negative about myself cuz my subconscious don't know if I'm playing or not." Tyson believes this early lesson was crucial for him to become a champion by age 20, highlighting the power of internal narrative in shaping one's destiny.
My mentor... taught me not to ever say anything negative about myself. Only say beautiful things about myself... cuz my subconscious don't know if I'm playing or not. () I learned that at 12 years old. I had to learn that at 12 to be the champion at 20. ()
Lessons
- Seek out mentors who believe in you and provide structure, even if it's outside your immediate family.
- Cultivate self-discipline by intentionally engaging in tasks you dislike but know are beneficial, approaching them with a positive mindset.
- Practice positive self-talk consistently, as your subconscious internalizes your narrative, shaping your capabilities and outcomes.
Notable Moments
Mike Tyson's Origin Story of Fighting
Tyson recounts being an 11-year-old who never washed himself, getting laughed at for being dirty at a dance. This humiliation, combined with a later incident where a bully ripped his pigeon's head off, led him to a life of crime and fighting, fueled by a desire for nice clothes and a newfound love for combat. This story provides a raw, personal origin for Tyson's aggressive persona and his deep connection to fighting, linking it to childhood trauma, humiliation, and the search for identity and respect.
Encounter with Brad Pitt
Tyson describes finding his then-estranged wife in a car with a young, unknown Brad Pitt, whom he referred to as "that honky." He was unaware of Pitt's future fame at the time, seeing him only as "some [expletive] Brad Pitt trying to get some head." This anecdote offers a humorous and surprising glimpse into Tyson's personal life during a turbulent period, juxtaposing his raw, unfiltered reaction with Pitt's later iconic status.
Michael Jackson's Competitive Nature
Tyson shares a story where Michael Jackson, at the height of his fame, feigned not knowing Tyson, asking "Where did I know you from?" Tyson interpreted this as a competitive power play, highlighting the intense ego dynamics between two global superstars. This interaction reveals a lesser-seen side of Michael Jackson and Tyson's own perception of celebrity rivalry, showing how even at the pinnacle of success, competitive instincts can manifest in unexpected ways.
Whitney Houston's Prison Visit
Tyson reveals that Whitney Houston, along with her family, visited him in prison, underscoring a deep and loyal friendship that transcended his incarceration and public image. This detail humanizes both Tyson and Houston, showcasing a bond of genuine support amidst their respective public struggles and personal challenges.
Refusing to be seen in shackles
When Florence Henderson (from The Brady Bunch) visited him in prison, Tyson refused to come out of "the hole" (solitary confinement) in shackles, asking her to forgive him. This moment highlights Tyson's pride and desire to maintain a certain image, even in the depths of incarceration, choosing not to be seen in a state of vulnerability and constraint by someone he respected.
Quotes
"God broke me before he crowned me. Of course I I'm going to be able to handle it."
"Everyone needs a mentor in their life. Everybody. Even if you got a bad mentor, that's better than having no mentor."
"I loved it [fighting]. I loved it. I think because when I was young and I watched some of the big time fight, I think it was just the way the crowd rooted for people's name. I wanted them to root my name one day."
"My mentor... taught me not to ever say anything negative about myself... cuz my subconscious don't know if I'm playing or not."
"Poverty is just so beautiful sometimes. If you can laugh at it, it's hilarious."
"If you don't believe in God, look at me cuz I should not be right here talking to you."
"The best way to to receive discipline is to do what you hate to do, but to do it like you love it. You do that, that's discipline."
"The most precious gift God could ever give us is a woman."
"Self-preservation starts first and then once we get situated, then we try to figure everything else out."
Q&A
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