Episode 2: Mixed Martial Arts and Men's Mental Health

Episode 2: Mixed Martial Arts and Men's Mental Health

Author: Sport and Leisure Cultures Research Group August 14, 2020 Duration: 51:10

In this episode of Transforming Sport, Sport and Leisure Cultures research group member Dr Alex Channon interviews Dr Jack Sugden of Edge Hill University about his research on mixed martial arts (MMA) and men’s mental health.  An expert in sport development and management, Dr Sugden started training in MMA as part of a research project exploring the sport’s appeal to its practitioners.  Here he discusses the importance it holds in the lives of those who practice it, focusing specifically on the stories told by men about its value in helping them cope with various troubles of modern life.  Dr Sugden has recently written about this project on the academic blog site, The Conversation, and also has an academic article on the topic forthcoming for publication in the Sociology of Sport Journal.  

Jack Sugden can be found on twitter at @j_sugden, and his other research is accessible via his Edge Hill University staff profile page: https://research.edgehill.ac.uk/en/persons/jack-sugden.


Hosted by the Sport and Leisure Cultures Research Group at the University of Brighton, Transforming Sport digs into the complex and often surprising ways athletics intersect with our everyday lives. Each conversation moves beyond scores and statistics to explore sport as a powerful social force, examining its relationship with politics, health, economics, and identity. The discussions, led by researchers and expert guests, are grounded in academic insight but focused on real-world implications. You’ll hear thoughtful analysis on how communities are built through leisure, how inequalities are both challenged and perpetuated on the field, and what the future holds for physical culture. This isn’t about predicting winners; it’s about understanding the deeper currents that shape why we play and watch. The central question throughout this podcast is how sport itself must adapt and evolve to meet the pressing challenges of our time-from climate change and technological disruption to ongoing fights for inclusion and fairness. By listening, you gain a clearer picture of the transformations already underway and the ones still desperately needed. Tune in for a nuanced perspective that treats sport not just as entertainment, but as a vital lens for examining contemporary society.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 16

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