‘You Have To Share Your Emotions’ – Jarred Brooks Thinks Men Should Be Able To Open Up

There’s an old stigma that men should bottle up their feelings so they don’t appear weak, but Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks is proof that you can be an open book and still be one of the toughest guys on the planet.

The American star will face Gustavo “El Gladiador” Balart for the ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Title at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video, and it’s clear his honesty has never held him back from success. 

In fact, Brooks thinks the freedom it gives him is a key part of reaching greatness – which he’s aiming to do by taking his second ONE belt live in U.S. primetime this Friday, August 2. 

The former undisputed divisional king spoke to onefc.com ahead of his battle at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand:

“I’m emotional. Fighters are emotional. Some fighters don’t know how to express that, and it’s either their biggest downfall or their biggest ally in a fight. But I would rather be straight in the open. If I feel a certain type of way, I’m gonna express it. 

“You have to share your emotions. If you push yourself into a corner with your emotions, then you’re not going to be able to strive for greatness because you’re holding yourself back and taking away from what you’re supposed to be.” 

Brooks has endeared himself to fans with his honesty, but he’s also willing to accept that not everybody will be a fan of what he projects to the world.  

That’s a risk of putting yourself out there, and “The Monkey God” is happy to take the positives with the negatives if it means being his authentic self. 

That way, he knows those who support him are doing it for the real man behind the fighter:

“If you’re not truthful to yourself and truthful to your feelings, then how are you going to be truthful to people that you love and people that you want to admire you?  

“Me showing my emotions openly, I have no problem with doing that because it doesn’t hold me back spiritually or emotionally. And if people will try to judge me for that, then they just don’t understand emotions and they don’t understand themselves.” 

Jarred Brooks Isn’t Afraid To Let It All Out 

Insecurity can be a reason why some men aren’t willing to be truthful about how they feel, but Jarred Brooks says confidence and vulnerability can go hand-in-hand.

With many men suffering from mental health issues in silence because of how they believe they should be perceived, “The Monkey God” wants to show that being honest and tough is a good combination.

He explained: 

“All these tough guy, macho types, ‘I’m not gonna show anybody that I’m weak.’ OK, you know what, dude? I’m gonna show you that I can cry over my grandma or whoever.

“Or if I see a cute video on Instagram, it just reminds me of me and my daughter, I’ll cry over that. But I’ll show you I can do that and [still be tough].” 

Family is another reason why Brooks will never put up a facade.  

While some men feel a softening in their outer wall when they become a father, the 31-year-old was already willing to share his inner world – and now, he has a partner and young child whom he knows will be there to support him:

“I’ve always been an emotional person, so it’s not like I just put myself out there for my daughter or my wife. They just help me get through my emotions, either through happy emotions or through sad emotions. They help me with those, and they’re with me through life.  

“I think that’s an important aspect to have now, especially when you’re trying to be a champion.”