Texas
Mercilessly bullied as a child, Justin Wren responded by transforming himself into a champion MMA fighter. Yet despite his success, he quietly questioned the significance of his own athletic accomplishments. Each time his hand was raised in victory he thought, “Is this it? Is this as good as it gets?” As he fought his way to the top and battled never-ending injuries that accompany the profession, he slid into pain-killer addiction, battled depression and attempted suicide. He was a champion on the outside, but broken within.
It wasn’t until a chance collection of circumstances led Justin to one of the most remote places on earth, to live in the rainforest among the Pygmy people, some of the most impoverished and marginalized people on the planet, that he found his true purpose – helping others.
From that experience, ‘The Big Pygmy’ returned to the ring with purpose, founding the non-profit Fight For The Forgotten (FFTF) along the way. Since 2013, FFTF has provided more than 52,000 indigenous people with access to clean drinking water, replanted thousands of trees, acquired more than 3,000 acres of land in the name of the tribe and helped 1,800 people out of slavery and into freedom. Current projects include housing, education, healthcare and sustainable livelihoods through community empowerment.
Today, Justin shares his remarkable story on stages across the country and around the world teaching others the tools, tactics and techniques to navigate any adversity, find purpose, and achieve meaningful impact in business and in life.
From the Ring to the Rainforest: Leadership Principles from an Ultimate Fighter’s Remarkable Journey
In this inspiring keynote, Justin unveils the rollercoaster of his life – from headlining the UFC in front of capacity crowds in Las Vegas, to plummeting into the abyss of addiction, and ultimately, to his extraordinary redemption deep in the jungles of Africa helping those most in need. With raw vulnerability and emotion, he narrates how one flawed man, grappling with his own insignificance, discovered the power to create change, one person, one life, at a time. Justin speaks of how personal accountability, resilience in the face of adversity, and profound gratitude for each new day can ignite a fire in all of us to create meaningful change in our work, in our lives, and in our world.
Travel with Justin to the remote Congo Basin Rain Forest for a rare insider’s view of the Mbuti Pygmy people, where they laugh, cry and stand-up and cheer as they bear witness to an improbable yet profoundly inspiring tale of redemption – a testament to the enduring power of second chances.
‘PURPOSE – PERFORMANCE – IMPACT’ shares his remarkable personal story from humble beginnings in rural Texas and a childhood shaped by relentless bullying. He eventually rose to mixed martial arts stardom, fighting in front thousands in person and millions around the world, only to lose it all to drugs and depression. But he fought back again, first on behalf of other victims of bullying, and later, through an almost unbelievable turn of events, on behalf of the Pygmy people of the Congo and Uganda. A three-time survivor of malaria, Justin has fought opponents both large and small throughout his life and along the way he has evolved into astonishing force for good in the world…and a remarkable keynote speaker.
Other Speaking Topics Include:
• Finding Purpose Through Service
• Mental Health
• Creating A Fighter’s Mindset & A Fighter’s Heart
• Charity, Sustainability, and Opportunity
• Servant Leadership, Character Development and Difference Making
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May 20, 2026
Justin was phenomenal from start to finish. His vulnerability, passion, and heart for people created an unforgettable experience for our attendees, and watching him patiently spend time connecting with every person after his session spoke volumes about who he is. He was genuine, collaborative, and incredibly easy to work with throughout the entire process.
Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. Helpful 0