Tim Kennedy Interview - Hurry Up and Fail | The Tim Ferriss Show

Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) is a former UFC middleweight contender who simultaneously served in the US Army as a Green Beret sniper and had tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq. He is a three-time winner of the Modern Army Combatives tournament, a grueling three-day event that tests mixed martial arts skills among other things. Tim is now a member of the Special Forces wing of the Texas National Guard.
In his spare time, Tim heads up Sheepdog Response, an organization that trains civilians in self-defense and counter-terrorism skills, and Ranger Up, a military-themed clothing line. He’s shared his martial arts and military expertise on several television shows, including the Spike TV series Deadliest Warrior, Hunting Hitler on the History Channel, and in the 2016 indie film Range 15. Tim is currently involved in an unscripted series from Discovery called Hard to Kill.
00:00 Start
00:11 Jiu-jitsu
04:22 Hurry-up-and-fail mindset
07:40 “Hard to Kill”
11:32 Great fighters
13:21 Game-day mindset
24:15 9/11 and Special Forces
43:03 Testing the spirit of the fight
52:36 ABCs of survival
01:05:09 Re-enlisting
01:08:57 A soldier with children
01:11:17 Risk
01:14:07 Hard work
Follow Tim Kennedy on Twitter: / timkennedymma
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Show Notes: tim.blog/2018/04/22/tim-kennedy/
SUBSCRIBE: bit.ly/1dSzTkW
About Tim Ferriss:
Tim Ferriss is one of Fast Company’s “Most Innovative Business People” and an early-stage tech investor/advisor in Uber, Facebook, Twitter, Shopify, Duolingo, Alibaba, and 50+ other companies. He is also the author of five #1 New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers: The 4-Hour Workweek, The 4-Hour Body, The 4-Hour Chef, Tools of Titans and Tribe of Mentors. The Observer and other media have named him “the Oprah of audio” due to the influence of his podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show, which has exceeded 200 million downloads and been selected for “Best of iTunes” three years running.
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[@EpicNo2918]

His rant at the very end about "Success is on the far side of work" is one of the best answers to the billboard question I've ever heard

[@bga_29]

PSA: Tim Kennedy is a badass. Stop talking shit behind a keyboard. This guy would die trying to save your life if the situation arose. He's a warrior and an outlier, an extremely successful driven person with rare will and work ethic. You should try to learn from guys like this not hate them for being who they are.

[@morbidangel718]

Fuck yea he is the real deal shit and lets not forget he is an active army special forces member a fucking real life killer

[@jpm2849]

Alright calm down with the fan girl shit dude. Being a badass doesn’t exempt someone from being a douchebag. He may be a badass but he’s also a fucking self obsessed tool. There’s a guy like him on every high speed team and most think that guy is a pain in the ass

[@daltonbaker8482]

Lord Fauntleroy you missed

[@loganshipman2084]

It’s funny reading someone say he’s a self obsessed guy. The dude is a team guy. He understands team concepts but is confident in himself.

[@jpm2849]

@@loganshipman2084 A lot of people seem to make the mistake of thinking because he’s a “team guy” that he cant be self obsessed or that he can’t possess any negative qualities. In reality there are plenty of guys in every SF unit that are exactly that. The motivations for being there are not standard. Not everyone gets along...some guys can’t stand each other...some people slide through training and don’t really belong there. Some guys are good at the job but they’re still dickheads.

[@itriggerxhappy]

Tim Kennedy is my spirit animal lol in all seriousness, what a kickass dude. Nothing but respect.

[@thebuckohimself7283]

i respect the dude i'm a fan, but to say he is priviliged and that white privilege is real, and then goes on to say he got where he is by working his ass off and that he is not special, as an african myself, i wish he would just say he works hard, aint nobody got steroids in the fridge.

[@jamesnewman6032]

So glad people like Tim and Jocko protect our great country.

[@kennethcheung4938]

1:16:07 Everything you want is on the far-side of hard work ~ Tim Kennedy

[@gzehrer]

I heard that Tim Kennedy water skis behind F-22 Raptors on the way over to his deployment

[@darkoverllord]

lol the imagery

[@patriotsandtyrants]

It’s untrue. F-22 cannot haul the weight of his balls and maintain altitude. They use C-5ms strung together like reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh.

[@marktheshark711]

Thank Tim Kennedy, I failed and was able to grow so much from it. I got there and stayed there and didn’t quit. Thank you for wording it the way you did. I truly appreciate it.

[@wcc1212]

Tim is the real deal. He has a natural hyper energy.

[@erkkidreiak6533]

This dude is the real Captain America

[@Painkilla887]

No. This dude is the real Wade Wilson

[@shinobi-no-bueno]

clos amp exactly why Tim is real and Captain America isn't

[@HM-ph4nc]

Michael van Eijndhoven I was thinking the same thing while listening to this

[@GrasU1919]

Erkki Dreiak combined with a bit of Deadpool's wit

[@gavinmasterson4531]

Let him into the UK and fuck those guys up

[@JamchesterBoozle]

Thank God for men like this....willing to fight the most evil of the evil and doesn't stop until they're gone. God bless

[@stephenhill11]

I love how simple yet effective the equipment setup is

[@raykobud]

Thanks for this interview. Tim, thank you for your service and advice!

[@MathiasManser]

I appreciate this guy for being totally authentic! Don't have to agree with everything he says but I love his directness Good one!

[@zaqwer5]

My favorite podcast yet. What a great hero and inspiration. Please do another next year with Tim Kennedy!

[@Jan-nu6zc]

Great Interview!

[@alexanderantillano]

Love the video content, so much richer experience to be able to pair facial expressions, manerisms, with the voices.

[@michaelsuttree]

Tim Ferriss, you're as badass an interviewer as Tim Kennedy is a war fighter. Fucking brilliant.

[@bretgarceau435]

Thank you Tim Kennedy for your service ! This was the best message I have received in years God bless you

[@SacredSadhana]

best interview of tim kennedy yet,imo. you guys went deep. many thanks!

[@PaulKirtley]

Good interview with useful take-aways. I like the option to watch as well as listen. Keep it up Tim Tim.

[@austinfarmer7948]

Love both of the Tims. Great episodie.

[@TimmacTR]

Badass redefined.

[@djelliott4524]

Every time I hear Tim speak I feel like he felt in 01'..I genuine POS..The things this man has accomplished. Just the mental game he has man!! Unreal

[@usmcmma]

Tim Motivates the hell outta me! Never thought I'd say that about an Army guy!!!

[@billfisher97]

Growing up with no dad or brothers. This dude is quickly becoming my mentor. Fighting a bit of an alcohol addiction at the moment. He just makes me feel Iike I can/should/will be so much more. Love this guy. I actually thought partying the hardest and having the most fun or being the craziest guy was a good thing until I saw him. Humbling for sure. Men need men to follow. God bless.

[@BirdsOfGlass]

Realization is a huge step in the right direction. 2 years later, how are you?

[@DF4Trap]

Great interview.

[@wrongtarget3015]

Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. I mean that

[@Tommytoday]

LOVE the production value of this

[@06livefast]

Very cool to actually hear Tim talk about what he does in the military in detail. He normally glosses over his responsibilities with generalities and charm. This was really cool.

[@danmcalester1716]

Can't believe I'm just seeing this now, great job Tim's!

[@alpinemind9977]

such a great interview. ferrriss in his natural element.

[@coltwilson3271]

love the way Kennedy consciously and delicately places the can on the table each time he takes a sip

[@whenyouhotglue]

One of my favorite interview s.

[@Eric_McBrearty]

Good interview- Two great guys.

[@amieldon]

He is not perfect, even he acknowledges it. But, I think every man wants to have some piece of his character, like his confidence, his perseverance in achieving his objective, his ability to see his own mistakes and do what is necessary to correct it. Guys, u don't like something about him? Then cherry pick....and emulate his good points. You wanna critique? Look at the man in the mirror...

[@evenstrength]

Word. Great advice. People should cherry-pick in that way more often, especially with people we despise.

[@marybarker1746]

AMEN TO THAT ✌️👍🌹💯

[@cowetareserve]

Hearing the input here shows hard work on both your ends. I appreciate you both for this conversation, for being not only thought provoking but also giving me the urge to go make some green grass grow! Thank you!

[@har.19]

what a truly fascinating dude

[@Yes2LifeShow]

Total badass. Great interview :)

[@TeamTriumphHQ]

Love this podcast.

[@Goldminks]

hands down best interview tim has done

[@grumpyolasian5960]

"I actually have an infection in my leg right now because I was in Florida and I got my leg sliced open on the side of a boat after I smashed a window with a Tomahawk" -Put that on your Facebook quote

[@jakeguercia7755]

Tim thanks for having tim on, love tim. Tim is the best. LETS GO TIM^2

[@alexknoch]

Fucking amazing Tim! This is my new favorite episode. With your well thought out, deep questions and Kennedy's willing to share and storytelling abilities, there's nothing not to love. Keep it up with the video and mic stands! I'd love to see you on location at a person's house or business.

[@lildoeflamingo984]

34:52 Tim is putting that Can down so softly so that the Enemy doesn't hear him 😈🇺🇲

[@JEST3R_]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 I fucking can't. His expression is priceless!

[@elthe3rd]

He IS motivational speaker. I could listen to him once a day.

[@chadtarheel]

Fierce! Ranger Up!

[@haigis]

Tim tim & Tim!

[@coachraylo]

This guy was born a warrior.

[@MrJosh6889]

Got goosebumps when Tim started talking about Rooster.

[@WarFilmStudios]

Badass. Salute.

[@AslanRising]

Hurry up and fail. Brilliant ..

[@memoalvaradom]

love this new intro!

[@bfantaye]

He is absolutely right about the incremental changes. 👍🏿

[@kapildhingra20]

"Thats just the spirit of the fight". Great quote.

[@jeffreylardizabal3964]

No fair fights, I agree - we do NOT owe criminals and terrorists equal ground; and excellent commentary on how to detect anomalous activity. Keep safe and may God Bless you and keep you Tim. I don't agree with everything you say but a lot of what you said here, as I commented, is spot ON!!!

[@j.c5078]

Much respect to both of you dudes from IDF Golani Brigade!

[@mellissaa.kennedy7251]

Chazak Chazak!

[@Blackbay1010]

great podcast. tim could easily have this convo and just keep to himself but shares with all of us on here to listen in..thanks TF

[@jpvrmedia3801]

Respect

[@adamwinger9631]

Tim Fuckin’ Kennedy, I tip my hat to you sir. Thank you for being alive at the same time I am alive. The reason I have so much respect for you is because the shit you talk about is truly what you’re about. You’re actions are so much more badass than your bad ass words ✌🏽

[@wessonsmithjr.6257]

I like Tim's philosophy about not fighting fair.

[@4964cris]

I love this guy such a bad ass!!!

[@MichaelTaphouse]

Awesome

[@TheKbthakur]

i love how people in the comment section don't see the irony of pointing out Kennedy's eccentricities in a disparaging manner. well if he wasn't the way he is then he would not be who he is and probably would have been pointing out the eccentricities of ultra achievers in the you tube comment section.

[@amospan14]

50:43 *singing* Do you really want to hurt me? Do you really want to make me cry? 😂😂😆

[@johngarabadian4153]

The Video is Great ! Nice Addition. Get some Tango Dancing Going !

[@adolfdoenitz3380]

this might be the best hour i have ever spent....

[@briancrossman4225]

You need to get a life

[@JasonRDamon2567]

Its really cool seeing the enthusiasm and I think knowing your on camera gets a bit more out of them energy wise

[@ScottHebert604]

Fuck yeah Tim Kennedy is a badass. Great interview

[@evansmith1668]

Everything I want is on the far side of Hard Work

[@edmundcarson3662]

Tim "I used to live in Japan" Ferriss

[@allanc3234]

Mohan "No please No" Guru

[@huntergreen5571]

So true

[@CarlosAGarcia97]

Amazing the coolest most interesting man in the Room that has been so many interesting and done impressive things , Tim most impressed in life by his living in Japan lolol my life been so boring 😂😂😂

[@jorgerivera3733]

Pedantic a hole

[@hanskallafrasonen]

holy shit tim kennedy

[@petrlives]

Hell that was intense!

[@tomvawter4531]

Exactly! Keep the balls on all martial arts, where the rules of sport are meant to be broken. 👍

[@m0rgentraum]

Epic intro

[@yankbat8481]

Amazing Green Beret and Army Ranger And Paratrooper

[@edselsugay4768]

The two Tims go in on wisdom and truth. Good stuff. They should have ended the podcast with an arm wrestling match.

[@johnbiegas3304]

Fuck yeah Tim. Thank your for all you have done and are willing to do. Everyone that gets to fight next to this man and with the same mind set, I thank you. Freedom with live on of men and women like Tim continue to live and fight.

[@VicenzzoCK]

Damnit this guy is awesome!

[@YurvanGor]

Time for Round 2!

[@phl_knives]

Yes!!! The training suggestions are dead on from Tim, I've recently became a become instructor for b-con (bleeding control ) as well as got certified in tccc/tecc, now I'm role playing for a tactical medicine training group. More pistol training, I carry an ifak, a TQ on my belt, TQ on the ifak as well. Situational awareness is so important and it needs to be practiced like any other skill. If you're doing TQ practice do it with others, my buddies we text each other TQ check, left ar, or right leg, you have any one send a pic of a TQ on tight as response. We randomly throw tourniquets at each other and call a limb out. Now in under 30 Seconds those need to be on. I'm not former military or law enforcement, I just wanted to be enter prepared for the world we live in. Tim is doing great things with sheepdog.... and doing this training and way of life it's a ton of fun. I did this as a way to be more prepared now it's normal for me and I have a blast role playing the trainings and helping first responders learn by failing when it won't cost the their lives and better prepare them for the job

[@shevb]

Fuck yeah. This is gonna be a good one

[@jtt8301]

holy cow that was cool

[@simini1837]

Hello Tim, liked this video. Its interesting to hear stories in the podcast about topics and a world which sometimes are very far from my own life. May I suggest that you sometimes in your podcast - with a non American and for example also female audience in mind - “translate” certain things a bit? Like abbreviations, places etc. I sometimes miss context in the podcast and certain elements therefore come accross as “incrowd”, by which I mean you need to have some background or insider knowledge to understand who the guest is and what he or she is talking about. If you want to reach a bigger audience (maybe you don’t?) you maybe want to keep this in mind and offer some explanation here and there. For example: what is The Pit?? I deduced from the follow up conversation that is a gym, but as a Dutch person living in the Netherlands, I had never heard about it.

[@Skottink]

He used the old Donald cerrone comment. “Not today”. Love it. Mad respect Tim

[@divarocha2148]

Porque é com Tim kennedy nota 1000

[@flowergirl6035]

Tim let’s us all know; we can do more, be more and have more. If we pay attention to each moment of the day.

[@tatianafeliz9417]

tim kennedy você é maravilhoso ok

[@EE-zd6xh]

Tim being a sniper/ranger/green baret /MMA fighter goes a long way to explaining things...after that nothing bugs him.He's a super cool dude. I hope you have him on again. I don't always agree with him (I'm not very nationalistic or pro-army) but he is a person of integrity and seems very humble. I have learned a lot from him and his mindset.

[@shaneharding7706]

TIM KENNEDY is what every human should be driving to be

[@Theiliteritesbian]

This threw me back to 2001 hard

[@isaacmendes1256]

Hope everyone learned their lessons. 😇🇺🇸

[@cesarisam]

Tim Kennedy is a gift for the world.

[@surfside16]

He was given the genetics and heart to do what most of us can't!

[@johnbue5839]

this guy is awesome!!!

[@Strong4life7]

I need to watch this for breakfast everyday better then coffee I’m ready to kick this days ass now !

[@adamtownsend7829]

World needs more TKs

[@dustinkilburn1154]

Kennedy is one intense individual. Seriously. Hence his past/background or vice versa. Glad to have him on our team at least.

[@ewaldsteven]

This is so fucking good. Tim Kennedy will make you want to attend selection more than anything else in the world, while at the same time completely talking you out of it. Dude is cut from different cloth. After a bit of a slow start, Ferriss gets to the core and Kennedy opens up sans-ego, detailing elements of Special Forces Qualification Course that I've never heard mentioned anywhere else before, specifically with regards to the SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) phase: literally being tortured for a month. In a world of quiet professionals, Kennedy is the warrior ambassador tasked with descending to describe the realm of higher manhood to mere mortals. Hell fucking yeah.

[@samuelgaldieri8212]

Success is moving the point of failure back

[@weedwacker1000]

14:30 if you pay attention you'll notice Tim had to pause time because he was summoned to a new dimension to save a parallel universe from imminent doom before returning to finish the podcast

[@xTJx93]

I would love to see Tim Kennedy in combat jiu jitsu match