What's up everyone, Jungleman here with another episode that's gonna blow your mind about how gaming and poker are literally connected in ways you wouldn't believe. I brought together some of the sickest minds in both worlds - from Ninja who dominated Halo to Elky who crushed it in Starcraft before becoming a poker beast. We dive deep into how gaming skills translate to poker mastery, and trust me, the parallels are INSANE.

These champions share their journey from grinding video games to crushing poker, and how their competitive gaming background gave them an edge. From reading opponents and handling pressure to quick decision-making and strategic thinking - turns out those countless hours of gaming weren't just for fun. Fun fact: did you know I was obsessed with Command and Conquer before poker? That's actually where I developed my strategic thinking.

Whether you're a gamer thinking about poker, or a poker player curious about how gaming skills transfer over, this episode is packed with insights that'll change how you think about both worlds. We've got Lex, Chidwick, Ninja, and more sharing their unique perspectives on how gaming shaped their poker careers. The insights here are PURE GOLD for anyone looking to level up their game - literally and metaphorically. Let's dive in!

Join The JungleVerse and sharpen your skills in a community built for winners: https://enterthejungleverse.com/

Here is what you can expect to here on this video:

00:22 Tyler 'Ninja' Blevins

09:57 Elky Grospellier

21:25 Mustapha Kanit

26:50 Nacho Barbero

32:46 Bill Chen

34:55 Stephen Chidwick

35:48 Lex Veldhuis

37:10 Jungleman

41:54 Espen Uhlen Jorstad

What separates a crushing defeat from a defining moment?

In poker, as in life, it's not about the cards you're dealt - it's about how you play them when everything's on the line. Join 10 of poker's most iconic players as they reveal their darkest hours and greatest triumphs.

From million-dollar losses to sleeping on floors, from crypto hacks to Black Friday devastation - these aren't just comeback stories. They're masterclasses in human resilience.

Because sometimes, rock bottom is just the beginning.

Featured players include: Phil Hellmuth, Fedor Holz, Phil Galfond, Jason Koon, Steve O'Dwyer, Ben Heath, Cole Keenan, Ben Rolle, Chris Hunichen, Mariano Grandoli

This powerful compilation shows that even poker's elite have faced devastating setbacks - and reveals the mental fortitude that helped them rise again. Whether you're a poker player or not, these stories of resilience will transform how you think about overcoming life's biggest challenges.

Join The JungleVerse and sharpen your skills in a community built for winners: https://enterthejungleverse.com/

Here is what you can expect to here on this video:

00:22 Phil Hellmuth

06:20 Phil Galfond

07:51 Mariano Grandoli

08:57 Jason Koon

10:50 Steve O'Dwyer

14:32 Ben Heath

17:47 Cole Keenan

20:02 Benjamin Rolle

21:52 Fedor Holz

23:40 Chris Hunichen

Join The JungleVerse and sharpen your skills in a community built for winners: https://enterthejungleverse.com/

This episode is absolutely wild.

You know those stories that sound made up? Like, who actually stitches their own face between rounds? Or bets on a 24-hour cycling challenge when they can barely ride a bike?

Meet Lincon "Bad Boy" Rodrigues. Ex-underground fighter turned mental game coach. The stories this guy told me had me like "wait... is this actually real?"

But here's what's crazy - this isn't even about the fighting.

There's this one moment where he breaks down why poker players (including myself) have been thinking about mental toughness all wrong. Made me completely rethink my approach to the game.

Want to know why some of the highest stakes players are now putting themselves through physical challenges? Or why this dude got me doing things I never thought I'd try?

Watch till the end for his theory on pain that'll blow your mind. Also, wait till you hear what he did with $800 in his early fighting days...

Trust me, just watch. You'll see what I mean.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome & Introduction to "Bad Boy" Rodrigues

02:32 Origin of the "Bad Boy" Nickname

07:10 First Fight Story: 17-Year-Old vs. 240lb Opponent

13:42 $800 Fight: The Bloody Nose Battle

19:15 The 24-Hour Cycling Challenge

26:38 Fighting Through a Broken Jaw

31:54 The DIY Stitch-Up Story

38:20 Making Friends with Pain

43:15 From Fighter to Mental Coach

48:30 Power Doesn't Corrupt, Power Reveals

52:45 The Warriors vs. Gardeners Philosophy

57:10 Training High Stakes Poker Players

01:02:35 Simple Habits That Change Everything

01:08:40 The Truth About Longevity

01:14:25 Advice for Poker Players

01:19:50 The Pain Philosophy

01:24:30 Final Thoughts on Mental Toughness

Follow "Jungleman" Dan Cates:

Instagram:@thedancates

X (Formerly Twitter): @junglemandan

Join Poker Academy today using this link: https://www.preflop.academy/?via=dan