64 Comments

Yo Ariel and Luciana, congrats on the new segment!

How did y’all become so close, and Luciana what is your favorite and least favorite part of being an “octagon girl”?

Good luck and I hope this segment is as fun and successful as On The Nose!

Much Love from KC, Gilbert Hill

Expand full comment

Ariel & the Bad Girl! Hope all is well. Congratulations to both of you on this exciting new journey. I have a complex inquiry.

I am a law student from the island of Puerto Rico, currently in my third year, final semester. As you might know (or might not), opportunities to mix mma and law in Puerto Rico are quite limited. I have tried to reach out to many managers, teams, etc., about potentially finding a role that would help me find this opportunity, but nothing has come as of yet, all my Hail Mary emails have been ignored thus far. I guess my question would be, what piece of advice would you give to someone looking to join the MMA world through law? What steps should I take in order to try and make this possible? Maybe the bad girl can help a little more with this one, knowing she is in the process of taking/passing the BAR exam. I would just love a chance, but am having a hard time finding it. Cheers and thanks to both of you!

Expand full comment

join endeavor as an intern

Expand full comment

Hello Luciana and Ariel,

I am a big believer in seminal moments. That one event in your life that seriously altered the trajectory of your ambitions and aspirations. I once believed I was going to enlist in the Marine Corps until a professor took me aside and encouraged me to pursue a career in the publishing industry! I wonder, for the two of you, what’s one moment in your lives that you can point to that seriously changed your fate, be it personally or professionally.

Much love,

Jackie

Expand full comment

Excited for this new segment 💪🏽 What is your favorite book/s you have read recently as well as all time?

Thanks,

Amin

Expand full comment

Hi Luciana & Ariel,

Congratulations on the new segment. Luciana, question for you, but Ariel I would love your thoughts too if you feel comfortable chiming in.

Political leanings aside, it’s impossible to deny that Amazon deforestation under Bolsonaro rose to historic highs and indigenous land rights dipped to historic laws. Moreover, Imazon released a study showing the negligent impacts deforestation had on living conditions and wages for local communities. (Ie, mining, ranching, etc did not improve local economic fortune or development)

Living in Ecuador, I felt a deep connection to the Amazon and its communities, and would hate to see the Amazon’s natural and cultural heritage disappear for short-term corporate gains. My question is, what do you feel is the best way to approach these communities from a development perspective? Is there a way to improve local standard of living, education, and access to opportunity without sacrificing biodiversity? Is the answer to just leave the rainforest alone?

Would love your thoughts.

Expand full comment

Hello Ariel and the Bad Girl,

What has been your favorite vacation and why? Looking forward to this new segment!

Cheers,

Logan

Expand full comment

Luciana and Ariel,

Do you ever have conflicted feelings about using social media and the way they sell our personal data? I don't have to use social media for my work with the exception of LinkedIn, unlike both of you do. At the same time it's a great way to stay in touch with friends, especially those far away. I've been using BeReal and it's just photos, no ads. But then, if they have no ads, are they making money on analyzing the pictures we post? Curious if you ever think about this and even sharing too much, personal or professional, on social media.

Thanks!

Juan

Expand full comment

Good question! Definitely have some thoughts…

Expand full comment

Any big regret or biggest regret that comes to mind either personal or professional?

Expand full comment

Ariel,

did you watch chris rock's netflix special? if so, did you enjoy the 10-7s from chris?

Expand full comment

Looking forward to this new segment! I’m a huge fan of your work, Ariel! I had the opportunity to meet you during the Ringer show you did in NYC.

Luciana- you absolutely killed it during the Oliveria interview!

My question for the both of you- where is your favorite vacation spot? And what is still on your vacation bucket lists?

Keep up the great work!

-James

Expand full comment

Hi Ariel,

No holds barred, you say? Well here is something I've been wanting to ask you, as well as Luciana if she is interested. I know you are Jewish, Ariel, and I feel like I've heard you mention God in the past. My question to you is, If you believe in a God, what demonstrable evidence do you have to prove the existence of said God?

I imagine I'll have a follow up to whatever your answer is and admittedly this isn't the best format for a discussion, but I'd love to have an ongoing discourse through this channel about your beliefs and why you believe them.

Big fan, much love,

Spencer from Japan

Expand full comment

nobody can prove God is anywhere. It's just that nobody can wrap their mind around existence. It's so freaking mind blowing and I guess a God/gods is the only thing humans can come up with to explain all this.

Expand full comment

Unfortunately for theists, the "God of the Gaps" argument has no legs to stand on. Just because humans haven't been able to scientifically learn everything about existence doesn't mean one can shove God into the cause of what's unknown. One could just as easily plug in Unicorns or Santa Claus. So the burden of proof remains with those who claim a God exists. What's the evidence, and if there is none, why do we need the concept of a God?

Expand full comment

For one, the concept of God is extremely comforting. Don't underestimate this. Not many people have the time to be poring through scientific research to try to wrap their minds on how exactly the world as we know it came to be. Secondly, there is still no overarching scientific theory that explains reality, consciousness, existence, etc. so people will stick to their religion until a better explanation comes along. And oh, religion is super lucrative for the powers that be both as a control mechanism and a money generating activity. It's 2023 and churches (and I assume other religious establishments as well) still don't pay any taxes anywhere in the world. As long as gaps remain in our understanding of the world, something has to fill it and religion has done that for millenia.

Expand full comment

Hello guys!

I graduated in December with a degree in Mass Communication. I am a freelance journalist & post my work here, on Substack. However, I recently signed to play baseball in Poland. Once I return after the season, I intend to find a job in media. What would you recommend as the first steps in that process and is there any other career advice you would give in regard to the profession?

Side note: I will be writing about my baseball team and life in Poland, but any help connecting with Polish MMA figures would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you guys and good luck with the new show!

Expand full comment

you don't need any help connecting with Polish MMA figures when you live in Poland. Take a bus, go to the nearest gyms and start introducing yourself lol

Expand full comment

Absolutely love this idea!

My ex girlfriend/now best friend is Brazilian and moved back to Brazil about a year ago. She is stressing out about how she can come back to the states one day, so Luciana, I’d love to get your advice on ways to improve a Brazilians chances of getting approved for a visa to the US! Again, can’t wait for this segment going forward. Thanks!

Expand full comment

Happy to help! :)

Expand full comment

Muito obrigado!😁

Expand full comment

Very exciting stuff you got going on Helwani. I'm on board. Question - GSP has mentioned during several interviews that he believes he has been abducted by aliens. He talks about "losing time" and believes aliens are why. So my question...what are your thoughts on Alien beings, UFOs, UAPs, etc. Thanks

Expand full comment

Ariel 🔥* that’s why he’s the goat! The goat! Gif *

Expand full comment

Excited for the new segment! My question for you guys...Doing what you love is always encouraged, and I love sports journalism. However, the outlook and money to be made in the industry is certainly discouraging. So the question, at what point is following your dream not the right choice. (for journalism or in general) Thanks.

Chaz

Expand full comment