As controversies continue mounting amid Brendan Schaub‘s latest career stumbles, a pattern of avoiding accountability and self-aware reinvention has emerged. For the former UFC fighter struggling to sell tickets as a stand-up comedian while hemorrhaging podcast listeners, an unwillingness to confront his mediocre creative output continues enabling his downward spiral.
Coasting on an Artificially Inflated Ego
Schaub’s first brushes with fame stem from mid-tier UFC success, retiring in 2015 to an unremarkable 10-5 record. As Schaub admitted on JRE, “I was never elite…I was a gatekeeper.” However, propelled by the visibility from being in Joe Rogan’s orbit and bombastic personality, Schaub managed several significant career pivots without putting in hard work to evolve his craft—comedy and broadcasting.
Middling Comedy Performances Papered Over by UFC Fame
Despite no writing background, Schaub leveraged his UFC visibility to get on lineups at well-known clubs like The Comedy Store quickly. However, not doing open mics or properly developing a tight five, Schaub failed to foster the authentic performance chops needed for his 2019 Netflix special “You’d Be Surprised,” considered one of the worst standup shows ever with “no punchlines or insightful observations.”
Despite poor critical reactions and accusations of joke stealing, Schaub continues relying on his podcast and drama to sell tickets rather than evolving his comedy writing or delivery skills. This further signals an inflated ego coasting on past fame without developing genuine talent.
Podcast Downfall Mirrors Authenticity Issues
Schaub‘s podcast “The Fighter and the Kid” offered him another vehicle for capitalizing on MMA connections, especially after pairing up with more commercially successful comic Bryan Callen. However, as the below audience metrics highlight, Schaub again failed to nurture the fundamentals beyond exploiting surface-level drama and bombast.
| YouTube Subscribers | 1.57 million (growth rate down 96%) |
| Avg Views Per Video | 124k views (down 84%) |
Such a drastic decline indicates fans tired of Schaub for his lack of insight as an MMA commentator, with "more inaccurate fight predications than anyone." By boasting inflated subscriber numbers without the content depth to drive engagement, Schaub’s authenticity again comes into question.
Egregious Shortcuts Reflecting Internalized Mediocrity and Ego
According to exposés by former employees and insiders like producer Mark Harley, Schaub contributes little yet takes full credit, mistreats staff, and employs shady tactics like buying followers to mask his mediocrity. Such behaviors indicate Schaub knows his actual talent and content cannot compete organically, further inflating his ego to avoid confronting subpar performance.
This avoidance of accountability and self-awareness manifests in other egregious behaviors like stealing business ideas, taking undue credit for show segments, and refusing constructive feedback. For someone with Hollywood connections aspiring to ranks like Chappelle, this willful creative stagnation is both puzzling and foundationally fragile.
Root Causes: Fame Addiction and Anti-Intellectual Attitudes
Behind Schaub‘s refusal to evolve lies deeper psychological issues tied to his personality and upbringing. As Dr. Sylvia Gearing notes to Fox Sports, Schaub exhibits markers of fame addiction fueled by narcissism, where "…the addiction is actually to the mirror that’s being held up by the fame.”
His anti-intellectual attitudes and projection also signal insecurity about his own mediocrity. By refusing to engage with substantive critiques or high-performing creatives who highlight his lacking output, Schaub maintains delusions around his talent cultivated by years as a big fish in the small LA comedy pond.
This perfect storm of narcissism, insecurity, and greed creates Schaub’s pattern of repeating past career rises without the maturity for accountability or forward progress when fame boosters like Rogan and UFC clout wane.
No Backup Plan Despite Glaring Business Issues
Despite clear warning signs of his worsening trajectory, Schaub shows little foresight in securing his long-term future. This includes refusing to live within his means, from firing Thiccc Boy employees to selling belongings to afford a luxury car amidst struggling businesses.
As collaborators like Bryan Callen distance themselves, Schaub also lacks a backup plan beyond desperately clinging to installations like the LA comedy scene that have long propped up and enabled his mediocrity.
Salvaging Schaub’s Career: Accountability and Creative Evolution
For Schaub to genuinely rebuild his career, deep changes are required, beginning with the emotional readiness for self-improvement.
Step 1: Check the Ego
With fame empires like Rogan and McGregor crumbling to hubris, Schaub must adopt humility, actively seeking out critiques from those at the top of their craft. This includes comics with longevity like Chappelle and Burr who reinvent constantly beyond stale formulas.
Step 2: Understand True Artistic Purpose
Next, Schaub should reflect on what originally drew him to creative pursuits using tools like journaling, meditation or counseling. Reconnecting to intrinsic motivations beyond fame and status could recenter his mental health conducive to producing impactful art.
Step 3: Hone Fundamentals Ruthlessly
With deepened self-awareness, Schaub must then commit to rigorous skills training for whatever medium he chooses, whether standup, broadcasting or beyond. This means treating podcasting like an artform itself with intentionality around production quality, narrative arcs and layered commentary.
Step 4: Find an Authentic Comedic Voice
Once equipped with tighter technical abilities, Schaub can then explore his authentic comedic perspectives. This requires risking rejection to niche down rather than chasing mass appeal. Key is not punching down or relying on being part of Rogan’s crew – Schaub must offer something unique.
Step 5: Lean Into Accountability Partners
Finally, constructing ongoing accountability touchpoints ensures Schaub stays the course when fame wavers again. This means sober coaches, openness to critiques and collaborators who challenge him to create braver work.
The Future: Another Cautionary Crash or Phoenix-Like Return?
As Schaub reflects during yet another controversy flare-up from his rant against Ariel Helwani, his future path mirrors a pivotal juncture faced by many ambitious yet entitled public figures. He can blame external forces and continue repeating self-destructive patterns. Or, with rigor and courage to confront unflattering truths, he can break the cycle by laying the hard work of authentic reinvention. For his own well-being and career, one hopes he chooses the latter.