As a child, Justin endured relentless bullying, which drove him to transform into a champion MMA fighter. Despite his athletic success, he quietly questioned the value of his achievements. Each time his hand was raised in victory, he would wonder, “Is this all there is? Is this the best life has to offer?” As he climbed the ranks and battled the injuries that inevitably came with the profession, he also faced an addiction to painkillers, depression, and even attempted suicide. Outwardly, he was a champion, but inside, he was struggling.
Everything changed when a series of unexpected events led Justin to one of the most remote places on earth. There, he lived among the Pygmy people in the rainforest, one of the world’s most impoverished and marginalized communities. It was in serving them that he discovered his true calling: helping others.
Inspired by this experience, Justin, known as “The Big Pygmy,” returned to the ring with newfound purpose and established the nonprofit organization Fight For The Forgotten (FFTF). Since 2013, FFTF has impacted over 52,000 indigenous people by providing access to clean drinking water, replanting thousands of trees, acquiring more than 3,000 acres of land for the tribe, and freeing 1,800 people from slavery. Current initiatives focus on housing, education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods through community empowerment.
Today, Justin shares his powerful story on stages across the globe, teaching others how to overcome adversity, find their purpose, and create meaningful change in both business and life.
