Justin Wren is a heavy-weight mixed martial arts fighter, humanitarian, and all around incredible person.  Over a decade ago, the world got to know Justin through his successful career in the UFC – from starring in the Spike reality show “The Ultimate Fighter,” to becoming a dominating force in the heavyweight division, to his MMA record of 15-2. Today, the world knows Justin for the size of his heart and the amazing work he is doing in the world. Following a six-year struggle with addiction and depression in his early career, Justin stepped away from MMA to seek out purpose and passion for his life. What he found was a forgotten tribe of Mbuti Pygmies deep in the jungles of the Congo, beaten down by economic enslavement, disease, and hopelessness. Through his Fight For The Forgotten initiative, 1,500 members of this formerly enslaved people group are now free and flourishing on 3,000 acres of their own land with access to clean water and their own farms. Today Fight For The Forgotten is working with a community of Batwa Pygmies in Uganda, supporting them with clean water, latrines, housing and agricultural tools and seed for farming, with the dream of them one day, in the not-too-far future, becoming self-sufficient, going from extinction to thriving. Justin is an incredible story-teller, and has become a close friend of mine. His voice and his stories are exactly the kind that I want to be raising up on this podcast, and I am so excited to share this one with all of you.  If You Enjoy The Thought Room Please Subscribe and Give Us a 5-Star Rating ★★★★★ and Review on Apple Podcasts. Special Offers: Apply for the Conscious Man: hallierose.com/men Topics Explored:  12:00 How Hallie and Justin met  16:00 The beginning of Justin’s incredible life story 21:00 Justin’s experience on the Ultimate Fighter and challenge with addiction at a young age 32:30 A traumatic story from Justin’s childhood 45:30 How helping others helped Justin begin to heal 58:00 A slap on the head from God and a path to recovery 67:00 Justin’s suicide attempt  87:00 The pressure of the pedestal  90:30 Justin’s visions and transformative journey in Sedona 131:00 The genesis of Fight for the Forgotten, Justin’s non-profit organization  151:00 Defeating hate with love - Stories from the Congo  173:00  How showing up with love can shift energy    Resources: fightfortheforgotten.org Apply for The Conscious Man: hallierose.com/men  Subscribe to The Thought Room:  Apple | https://tinyurl.com/qp3mqnp Spotify | https://tinyurl.com/wxyzmdw Stitcher | https://tinyurl.com/wrxv39g     Connect with Justin Wren: Instagram | @thebigpygmy Website | fightfortheforgotten.org Connect with Hallie Rose: Thought Room IG | https://www.instagram.com/thoughtroompodcast/  Hallie Rose IG | https://www.instagram.com/hallie_rosebud/ Twitter | https://twitter.com/ThoughtRoomPod YouTube |http://bit.ly/ThoughtRoomYouTube  Website | www.thoughtroompodcast.com  Email | thoughtroompodcast@gmail.com    Sign up for the TRP Newsletter | www.thoughtroompodcast.com    HELP SUPPORT THIS SHOW!    → SUBSCRIBE:  Apple Podcasts +  Spotify + Stitcher +  Google Podcasts     → LEAVE A SHORT APPLE PODCASTS REVIEW:  Would you please consider leaving a typed review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? Even a one or two words! It takes less than 60 seconds and really makes a difference in helping to land prominent guests! (https://tinyurl.com/qp3mqnp)    →  SHARE: Spread the word! Share an episode, or tag @thoughtroompodcast on social media--tell us what you liked about this episode!   DONATE:  Patreon | https://www.patreon.com/thoughtroom Paypal: paypal.me/thoughtroompodcast  Venmo | Send a send a one-time gift via Venmo @hallierose   ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Special thanks to Emmy-Award winning composer Kodomo (Chris Child) for allowing us to use his brilliant track Concept 1 as our theme song.  ______________________________________   The Thought Room is a combination of edge-of-your-seat storytelling and groun