THE BACKBREAKERS AND BITES PODCAST – EPISODE 25
Charles “INNERG” Johnson
In this Episode Of The Podcast:
“Prayer, positivity, and perseverance. My three Ps. I put them on my wall my sophomore year in college and I’ve taken that mindset into every situation to figure it out.”
In this installment of Backbreakers and Bites, we head to Sticky Rice in Orlando, Florida, with UFC Flyweight standout Charles “InnerG” Johnson. Over authentic Laotian cuisine that reminds him of his training days in Phuket, Charles takes us through his journey from a two-time AA national track champion in St. Louis to becoming one of the most active fighters in the UFC. He opens up about the “road less traveled,” surviving homelessness while working at Walmart, and the mental grit required to fight out of debt and secure a future for his family.
Contents
Show Notes and Highlights
About the Restaurant
Featured Links
Show Notes and Highlights
Key Topics and Discussions
The St. Louis Breeding Ground: Charles discusses the unique combat sports culture of St. Louis, Missouri. He details his time at St. Charles MMA, training with the “Daisy Fresh” crew, and the influence of a boxing-heavy city on his early development.
The Tiger Muay Thai Scholarship: A deep dive into the 2019 trip to Thailand that realigned his career. Charles explains living on $50 a month, training alongside icons like Petr Yan and Alex Volkanovski, and overcoming an anxiety about throwing elbows to become a more complete martial artist.
Track & Field Roots: Charles reveals his background as a world-class distance runner. He shares the story of being a two-time national champion in the 3000m and why the discipline of track is the secret behind his relentless cardio in the Octagon.
The Business of Followers: A raw look at the modern UFC landscape. Charles addresses the importance of marketability and followers, noting how he intends to start “taking names” and building his brand to secure the title shot his record deserves.
Featured Segment: The Three Ps
Prayer, Positivity, and Perseverance: Charles recounts his lowest point—losing his college scholarship over a single missing credit and facing homelessness. He explains how he survived by sleeping in parking garages and working double shifts at Walmart, all while developing the “Three Ps” philosophy that carried him to the UFC. This segment is a must-watch for anyone looking to understand the spirit behind the fighter.
About Sticky Rice
Located in the heart of Orlando, Sticky Rice is a culinary standout as the city’s first restaurant dedicated to authentic Laotian street food. Charles chose this spot for its high-energy, night-market atmosphere and traditional dishes that resonate with his own “road less traveled” journey. We explored the menu’s bold, funky flavors, including the Chicken Larb and their namesake Sticky Rice, which serves as the traditional heart of Every Laotian meal. For a fighter like Charles, who has trained in Southeast Asia, this was a true taste of the motherland in Central Florida.