> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://fightingmatters.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# The relentless bullying of trans athletes
- URL: https://fightingmatters.com/the-relentless-bullying-of-trans-athletes/
- Published: 2025-12-18T09:30:49.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-12T05:16:40.000Z
- Description: In this episode of the Fighting Matters podcast, hosts Steve Kwan, Mike Mahaffey, and Jesse Walker confront the relentless bullying and scapegoating of transgender athletes, especially within combat sports.
- Author: Fighting Matters
- Tags: Podcast, Video, Trans Inclusion

In this episode of the Fighting Matters podcast, hosts Steve Kwan, Mike Mahaffey, and Jesse Walker confront the relentless bullying and scapegoating of transgender athletes, especially within combat sports. They unpack how bad-faith arguments, misinformation, and moral panic have turned a tiny minority into a political and cultural punching bag, and discuss what gym owners, coaches, and training partners can do to create safer, more inclusive spaces.  
  
🔗 Links Mentioned:  
• Fighting Matters Linktree — [https://linktree.com/fightingmatters](https://linktree.com/fightingmatters?ref=fightingmatters.com)  
• BJJ Mental Models (Steve Kwan) — [https://bjjmentalmodels.com](https://bjjmentalmodels.com/?ref=fightingmatters.com)  
• Old Bastard BJJ (Mike Mahaffey) — [https://instagram.com/oldbastardbjj](https://instagram.com/oldbastardbjj?ref=fightingmatters.com)  
• Rough Hands BJJ (Jesse Walker) — [https://roughhandsbjj.com](https://roughhandsbjj.com/?ref=fightingmatters.com)  
  
⸻  
  
👥 Featuring (Hosts):  
• Steve Kwan — @bjjmentalmodels  
• Mike Mahaffey — @oldbastardbjj  
• Jesse Walker — @roughhandsbjj  
  
⸻  
  
🧠 Topics Discussed:  
• How trans athletes became a political and cultural scapegoat  
• Bullying vs. good-faith discussion around sports and fairness  
• Why hate movements target small, vulnerable groups  
• Misogyny, fear, and propaganda in combat sports culture  
• What gym owners can do to make their spaces safer and inclusive  
  
⸻  
  
📖 Chapters:  
[00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns0NKlHvGLA&ref=fightingmatters.com) — Why trans athletes are being targeted  
[03:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns0NKlHvGLA&t=210s&ref=fightingmatters.com) — Scapegoating and bad-faith arguments  
[07:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns0NKlHvGLA&t=465s&ref=fightingmatters.com) — Why this problem must be addressed by gym culture  
[13:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns0NKlHvGLA&t=790s&ref=fightingmatters.com) — Sports, fairness, and fabricated moral panics  
[21:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns0NKlHvGLA&t=1260s&ref=fightingmatters.com) — Propaganda, fear, and political exploitation  
[42:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns0NKlHvGLA&t=2550s&ref=fightingmatters.com) — What coaches and gyms can do differently  
[54:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns0NKlHvGLA&t=3250s&ref=fightingmatters.com) — Final thoughts on dignity, accountability, and inclusion