"El Fenómeno": Joel Álvarez, la Psicología, la Lealtad y el sacrificio. (Grabado en RedGlove Boxing)

"The Phenomenon": Joel Álvarez, Psychology, Loyalty, and Sacrifice. (Recorded at RedGlove Boxing)

1. Introduction: From Gijón to the UFC.

We present the guests of the Donate podcast (Episode 12), recorded in our RedGlove Boxing store, which highlights the importance of teamwork and values ​​in contact sports.

  • Guests: Joel “El Fenómeno” Álvarez (UFC fighter, considered one of the best in Spain) and Alejandro Amigo (his sports psychologist).
  • The topic: An in-depth conversation about mindset, loyalty, and success in MMA.

2. The Strength of the Link: Loyalty and Teamwork

Joel Álvarez highlights the importance of his inner circle and his coach, Borja Álvarez, beyond the sporting aspect.

  • Loyalty as a Pillar: "Loyalty is ultimately my daily life. I think it's what best describes me. I've had the same friends forever... with the same team since I started."
  • The Coach as Guide: Joel considers his coach the "captain of the ship" or "Pancho Villa," to whom he owes everything: "The boss is the one responsible for all this. I "I didn't have a father, so he kind of plays that role... that father figure or older brother figure."

3. The Champion's Mindset: Exploiting the “Phenomenon”

They discuss how psychological work is not about solving problems, but about enhancing strengths, and the importance of separating the person from the fighter.

  • Strengthening His Strengths: Joel explains that his greatest strength is his mindset, and the psychologist helped him develop it: "One day we met, well, to get to know each other... he gradually developed that mindset and provided me with the right questions at key moments... Then he started asking me questions."
  • The Alter Ego: They talk about the importance of separating the person ( Joel Álvarez ) from the character ( "The Phenomenon" ) to maintain a healthy life: The Phenomenon... I try to bring it out only when it has something to come out... meanwhile, let it remain in hibernation mode."

4. Fatherhood, Fears and Defeat

They touch on sensitive topics such as the fear of losing and how personal life positively impacts athletic performance.

  • The Impact of Being a Father: Joel says that fatherhood empowered him: "It empowered me a lot and I thought it was going to be the complete opposite... before it was partly fighting for that glory, for that ego 'without fear of anything' and now I have something to fight for."

5. Warnings for the New Generation (Social Networks and Obsession)

Alejandro Amigo and Joel Álvarez send a message to young athletes about the toxicity of social media and obsession.

  • Obsession Isn't Healthy: Alejandro warns: "Sport, like any relationship you have in life, has to be healthy, and you can't have a toxic relationship with sport." Sometimes social media generates obsession.
  • Enjoy the Process: "I always tell them to enjoy the process... and not obsess over getting to the UFC. If it's meant to be, it will be, but the beautiful thing is the process."
  • Social Media: Social media can be a marketing tool for athletes, but it shouldn't distract from training: "I think they go hand in hand now... but don't lose sight of what's important." Everything in its own time. Some people exploit social media before achieving the corresponding athletic results, and that can lead to an unhealthy obsession and cause them to neglect what's truly important.
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