About this episode

Tamdan McCrory discusses his transition from professional MMA fighter to gym owner and mentor, emphasizing the importance of culture and mental health in martial arts.

In this episode of the Cory Cast, I’m sitting down with a true pioneer of the Northeast MMA scene, Tamdan "The Barn Cat" McCrory. While many of you know Tamdan from his high-level runs in the UFC and Bellator, we took a deep dive into what his life looks like now that the gloves are (mostly) hung up. We spent the heart of the conversation talking about his role as the head of Broome County Martial Arts. Tamdan shares his philosophy on what it actually takes to run a successful gym and why building a genuine culture is just as important as teaching a perfect armbar. We also explore the profound impact that martial arts can have on a person’s mental health and discipline, proving it's about much more than just fighting. Beyond the mats, we touched on the parallels between coaching and fatherhood. Tamdan opens up about the weight of leading by example and the importance of "walking the walk" for both his students and his kids. He has always been one of the most unique minds in the sport, and his insights on transitioning from a professional athlete to a mentor and business owner are something every listener can learn from. Follow Tamdan and check out his gym…

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