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Neil Adams: Judo, Olympics, Winning, Losing, and the Champion Mindset | Lex Fridman Podcast #427

Lex Fridman

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Neil Adams is a judo world champion, 2-time Olympic silver medalist, 5-time European champion, and often referred to as the Voice of Judo. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
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TRANSCRIPT:
https://lexfridman.com/neil-adams-tra...

EPISODE LINKS:
Neil's Instagram: Instagram: naefighting
Neil's YouTube: naeffectivefighting
Neil's TikTok: TikTok: neiladamsmbe
Neil's Facebook: Facebook: NeilAdamsJudo
Neil's X: https://x.com/NeilAdamsJudo
Neil's Website: https://naeffectivefighting.com
Neil's Podcast: https://naeffectivefighting.com/podca...
A Life in Judo (book): https://amzn.to/4d3DtfB
A Game of Throws (audiobook): https://amzn.to/4aA2WeJ

PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
Full episodes playlist: Lex Fridman Podcast
Clips playlist: Lex Fridman Podcast Clips

OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
1:46 - 1980 Olympics
19:09 - Judo explained
27:14 - Winning
45:28 - 1984 Olympics
54:29 - Lessons from losing
1:10:11 - Teddy Riner
1:29:46 - Training in Japan
1:45:25 - Jiu jitsu
1:56:33 - Training
2:19:52 - Advice for beginners

SOCIAL:
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Instagram: Instagram: lexfridman
Medium: Medium: lexfridman
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Support on Patreon: Patreon: lexfridman

20 Comments

@lexfridman Creator 2 years ago (edited) Pinned

Here are the timestamps. Please check out our sponsors to support this podcast.
Transcript: https://lexfridman.com/neil-adams-transcript
0:00 - Introduction & sponsor mentions:
- ZipRecruiter: https://ziprecruiter.com/lex
- Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/lex to get special savings
- MasterClass: https://masterclass.com/lexpod to get 15% off
- LMNT: https://drinkLMNT.com/lex to get free sample pack
- NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/lex to get free product tour
1:46 - 1980 Olympics
19:09 - Judo explained
27:14 - Winning
45:28 - 1984 Olympics
54:29 - Lessons from losing
1:10:11 - Teddy Riner
1:29:46 - Training in Japan
1:45:25 - Jiu jitsu
1:56:33 - Training
2:19:52 - Advice for beginners

@Beetyleh 2 years ago

I know this is not a subject for a lot of people, but thank you very much for having Neil Adams on. This is so interesting for people who are into judo, thanks Lex

@BuckoMUFC 2 years ago

I was in a competition with Neil in the late eighties. There were 70 of us in the same weight class.
I overheard a conversation where Neil said ‘yeah and I’ll be the last one standing here at the end!’
He was. As ever.
Top man

@alanpower8234 2 years ago (edited)

Proper british Judo legend, nice one Lex for having him on the podcast.

@DHTCF 2 years ago

"You see a true champion when they lose" - absolutely spot-on.

@alexhubble 2 years ago

Well, that is a guest I didn't expect! I'll be here for the next 2hrs 30.

@joebealby2054 2 years ago

This is my favourite episode that you’ve done Lex as a British judo player myself , this was great to here some of his old stories and just an overall quality conversation - thanks for putting this out there.

@kjd9634 2 years ago

Crazy, I met Neil he visited our Dojo in st.albans England i was about 8 years old, must have been almost 40 years ago. Now he's sitting down with one of my favourite podcasters.

@tomgreeves9248 2 years ago (edited)

A brilliant episode. I have the privilege of knowing Neil, and he is every bit as passionate and kind as he seems - and every bit as distinguished as Lex says.

Kudos to Lex for steering a very interesting and inspirational chat. The time flew by.

And yes it's a cliche to say so, but both men restore one's faith in humanity, as does Neil's wonderful wife Niki.

@johnrogers8623 2 years ago

As a 78yr old practicing judoka i loved the interview, so much to agree with. I had a short randori with him when he was u18 European champion when he came to Fairholme judo club, even then a nice lad. Brilliant all the success that he achieved and carried over to his broadcasting . Well done.

@VabellaBeautz 2 years ago (edited)

Such an inspiring gentleman, fellow Brit 🇬🇧

@idatong976 2 years ago

Great interview Lex! Thank you. What a passionate athlete Neil Adams is! "It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up." - Vince Lombardi

@hwarangwarrior7 2 years ago

I’ve been doing judo for 20 some years and I had heard of Neil, but didn’t know much about him. But he is a total class act! Total respect! As Lex said, he is a true legend, because he is a great champion and has experienced both sides of the coin. Can’t say enough good things about him, more people need to learn from him and his experience. Mad respect, Neil, now a hero of mine. Thanks, Lex and Neil for the great interview.

@berniekatzroy 2 years ago

What a meeting of the minds.

@neilloughran4437 2 years ago

Awesome interview... being a fellow Brit I remember following Neil Adams through the trials and tribulations of the Olympics and World Championships. Amazing to watch the archive footage and hear him talk about the background behind it all.