Actor and martial artist Michael Jai White expressed concern about what he sees as a decline in traditional masculinity among American boys during a recent appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
Speaking with Rogan, White argued that the United States is moving away from what he described as important “rites of passage” that help develop resilience and toughness in young men — practices he said are more common in countries such as Australia and New Zealand.
“That’s another thing that’s sad about the United States: We’re not making men anymore,” White said. Rogan largely agreed, noting that individuals who display what he called more traditional masculine traits tend to “stand out.”
White also observed that non-American actors are frequently cast in film roles portraying strong American male characters. “It’s very rarely an American,” he said, describing the trend as surprising.
Rogan added that, in his view, American masculinity has been increasingly “demonized” over the past several decades.
Reflecting on his earlier career as a schoolteacher, White said he witnessed cultural shifts that emphasized protecting children’s self-esteem, including the widespread use of participation trophies.
“I was right on the forefront seeing ‘everybody gets a trophy,’” White said. He argued that reducing competition may leave children less prepared to handle setbacks and failure.
White stressed the value of losing experiences, a sentiment Rogan echoed by calling loss “the best medicine.”
During the discussion, White shared personal insights from his athletic background. He recalled joining his high school track team after unexpectedly winning a race against one of the school’s fastest runners. The experience, he said, later influenced his martial arts training.
White explained that track and field helped him understand efficiency of motion — lessons he applied to fighting techniques. “Nowhere is there a benefit of cutting off fractions of seconds in movement like track,” he said.
Despite his natural athletic ability, White admitted that early success sometimes hindered his development. He said his physical gifts made it easier to rely on talent rather than discipline.
“Fighting was easy to me,” White said, acknowledging that others who lacked similar advantages often progressed further through persistence and effort.
He illustrated the point by comparing two hypothetical fighters: one pushing beyond fatigue after 100 kicks, and another extending slightly past a much higher limit. According to White, the fighter who stretches further beyond personal comfort ultimately demonstrates greater growth.
As a result, White said he no longer measures his training against others but focuses on maximizing his own potential.
“That really taught me something about what martial arts truly teaches,” he said. “If I use my gifts as a crutch, I’m limiting what I can be.”
