#2359 - Mike Maxwell

Overview

This episode features artist Mike Maxwell, who discusses his creative journey, the discipline behind his craft, and the parallels between art, martial arts, and personal growth. The conversation spans topics like the creative process, the influence of psychedelics, the role of discipline in mastery, and the societal challenges of modern life.

Notable Quotes

- Bitch, I had to fucking work every day and have been grinding at this for twenty-five, twenty-six years. - Mike Maxwell, on the misconception of god-given talent in art.

- You should do difficult shit because it teaches you about yourself. And if you don’t learn about yourself, you’re always gonna wonder. - Joe Rogan, on the importance of challenges.

- Dogs are the best. Your life will be more loving if you have dogs. - Joe Rogan, on the unconditional love of pets.

🎨 The Creative Process and Discipline in Art

- Mike Maxwell reflects on his artistic journey, emphasizing that talent alone isn’t enough—it’s about consistent hard work and improvement over decades.

- He describes his process as letting the art paint itself, where intuition and subconscious guidance play a significant role.

- Joe and Mike discuss the parallels between art and other disciplines like writing, where the initial groundwork leads to a flow state where the work creates itself.

- Maxwell shares how his iconic JRE logo came together from separate drawings, evolving organically.

💊 Psychedelics, Creativity, and Perspective

- Maxwell recounts his teenage experiences with LSD, suggesting that psychedelics may have influenced his ability to see the world differently and enhance his creativity.

- Joe and Mike discuss how altered states of consciousness, whether through substances or meditation, can unlock new ways of thinking.

- They touch on historical figures like Steve Jobs and Hunter S. Thompson, who credited psychedelics with shaping their perspectives.

🥋 Martial Arts as a Metaphor for Life

- Both Joe and Mike explore how martial arts, particularly jiu-jitsu, teach discipline, humility, and problem-solving.

- Mike shares how his first jiu-jitsu class humbled him, leading to a lifelong commitment to the practice.

- They discuss the mental clarity and meditative aspects of martial arts, comparing it to the focus required in painting.

- Joe highlights the importance of teaching as a way to deepen one’s understanding of a discipline.

🍔 Health, Diet, and Modern Habits

- Maxwell shares how cutting out sugar transformed his health, leading to weight loss and improved mental clarity.

- Joe emphasizes the importance of eating whole, unprocessed foods, drawing parallels between human and pet nutrition.

- They critique the addictive nature of modern processed foods and the societal normalization of unhealthy habits.

🐾 The Bond Between Humans and Dogs

- Joe and Mike discuss the unique relationship between humans and dogs, marveling at how wolves evolved into loyal companions.

- Joe shares anecdotes about his golden retriever, Marshall, and the joy dogs bring to life.

- They highlight the responsibility of owning high-energy breeds like Belgian Malinois, which require significant training and exercise.