DiscoverThe Johnjay Van Es PodcastBefore The Rock Played Him: Who Is Mark Kerr, The Smashing Machine?
Before The Rock Played Him: Who Is Mark Kerr, The Smashing Machine?

Before The Rock Played Him: Who Is Mark Kerr, The Smashing Machine?

Update: 2025-08-01
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MMA legend Mark Kerr’s true story of addiction, redemption, and resilience is raw and unforgettable.

From underground fights in Brazil to an upcoming biopic by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Mark Kerr’s life is the stuff of legend and pain. Known as “The Smashing Machine,” Kerr dominated early MMA with raw power and chilling instincts, but his greatest fight was outside the cage: battling addiction and finding redemption through sobriety and fatherhood.

In this episode, he opens up about fame, loss, recovery, and the surreal full-circle moment of The Rock portraying him on screen. 

It's a story about grit, grace, and what it really means to win.

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Before The Rock Played Him: Who Is Mark Kerr, The Smashing Machine?

Before The Rock Played Him: Who Is Mark Kerr, The Smashing Machine?

JohnJay Van Es