Part 6/13:
Johnson reflected deeply on his mindset, especially after a close loss to Henry Cejudo, which prompted introspection and a shift in perspective. He describes a period of intense pressure, triggered partly by personal tragedy—the passing of his sister during a fight camp—that led him to reevaluate his approach. Instead of obsessing over perfection, he adopted a more relaxed attitude: fighting for joy, not just victory, and accepting that losing is part of growth.
His outlook now focuses on enjoying the process, giving full effort without obsession over outcomes. This mental shift has elevated his performance, allowing him to fight with freedom and confidence at age 36, a time when many fighters see decline.