Justin Wren - The Amazing Story of 'The Big Pygmy' (#142)

Over a decade ago the world got to know Justin Wren through his successful mixed martial arts 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 this 6-foot-3-inch, 265-pound fighter for the size of his heart.

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-to-far future becoming self sufficient, going from extinction to thriving.

In 2019, Justin felt a deep burden for youth struggling with depression and bullying like he experienced starting at the age of 13 years into adulthood. Because of what Justin went through and seeing himself in many young people, especially during some of his speaking engagements, Justin knew he wanted to play a part in the solution. January 1, 2020, Generation Why “GNWY”, a high energy performing arts collective team that had been presenting youth assemblies for three years, joined Fight For The Forgotten with their universal message of “why”. They challenge students to pursue their purpose to pursue their why. The diverse team engages students with hopeful and inspiring dance, rap, spoken word intertwined with multiple stories. Topics are customized for the age, event, school, or youth event including subjects about - Anti-Bullying - Suicide Awareness - Drinking & Substance Abuse - Youth Empowerment.

https://fightfortheforgotten.org/

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