Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe - S6 EP32: George Foreman

Episode Date: April 28, 2023

Joining us this episode to discuss the highs and lows of parenting (and life) is the brilliant former boxer, Olympic gold medalist, two time heavweight champion, minister, entrepreneur, and the face of the lean mean fat grilling machine - George Foreman! The new film 'Big George Foreman' is in UK and US cinemas April 28. Parenting Hell is available exclusively (for free!) only on Spotify every Tuesday and Friday. Please leave a rating and review you filthy street dogs... xx If you want to get in touch with the show here's how: EMAIL: [e-mail] INSTAGRAM: @parentinghell MAILING LIST: parentinghellpodcast.mailchimpsites.com  A 'Keep It Light Media' Production  Sales, advertising, and general enquiries: [e-mail] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hello, I'm Rob Beckett. And I'm Josh Winnockham. Welcome to Parenting Hell, the show in which Josh and I discuss what it's really like to be a parent, which I would say can be a little tricky. So, to make ourselves and hopefully you feel better about the trials and tribulations of modern-day parenting, each week we're chatting to a famous parent about how they're coping. Or hopefully how they're they're tha th hearing from you the listener with your tips, advice, and of course, tales of parenting woe. Because let's be honest, there are plenty of times when none of us know what we're doing.

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There we go. Nice one. Hello and welcome. This is Ezra from Leeds, 22 months, saying Rob and Josh's names after recording. He clapped himself and said, well done. I started listening last summer when I was digging out the back of the garden, so he could fit in a large climbing frame. My wife started listening after hearing me laugh out loud. We now make sure we save up episodes if we're driving from Leeds to Kent to see my family. Rob. I'm from Tunbridge. Ooh, Tonbridge. I like Tombridge. Is that different to Tombridge Wells? Right, so bone of contention, Royal Tunn Bridge Wells and then Tonbridge. So Royal Tunbridge Wells thu thumbridge Wells thinks a little bit of itself. Yeah, I bet it does.

And it looks down his little snooty nose at Tonbridge. Does it? Can't get me wrong, Royal Tunbridge Wells? It's fine. Nice place. Tonbridge, it's a nice place. But Tonbridge, don't mind being confused with Royal Tunbridge Wells. Royal Tunbridge Wells does not like people saying it's the same place Josh. It's a 20 minute drive away and they get very particular about it. They also have one of the hardest gigs in the country.

Oh my God, it's tough. It's such a tough gig. Yes, a very tough gig. But yeah, different places for different needs. Now Josh, exciting news. We should tell the listeners there. Because we do have listeners. Yeah, well a certain group of listeners who live in a certain place. Don't worry, it's a positive message. We're not banning you from listening. We are doing

parenting hell live in Dubai. We've added, it's an international tour now Josh. We've added one day abroad. It's an international tour, bloody hell, with like fucking the Rolling Stones or you two. I do enjoy that when you see comedians at putting one Helsinki day and they're going, am I in, my world tour starting? You're like, it's not a world tour. Dublin, my world tour begins. Well, Wales is a separate country actually, so Cardiff to th, yeah, yeah, yeah, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, the, tho, tho, tho, tho, to to to tho, tho, to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to too, too, too, too, too, too, th, too, tho, tho, tho, tho, thooooooooo, too, too, too, too, too, to to to toickets for that somewhere, Josh, can't you? Uh, social media channels? Um, should I say those words confidently, Rob?

Social media channels? Is that the kind of thing people say these days? I'll tell you'll put a link out on Instagram as well. Yeah. If you just find it, I think it's, is it the opera house? If you google it, you'll they they, you're they, they, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th, th. th. thin, thin, th. thin, th. th. th. thi, thin, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, th. So, thin, thin, thin, thin, th. So, thin, th. So, thin, th. So, thin, th. So, th. So, thi. So, th'll find it the highest culture they've ever had in that opera house mate here we go it was built for opera but this is where you really bloody one it was the first show after the pandemic in that opera house and I think that's what they wanted but yeah if you live in Dubai were it but yeah if you're to come if you live in Dubai but you were doing thu-in to by you the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the their you were they were they were to to they were they were to they were to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to the the the the the the the the the their you were their you were their you were their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their the, if you live in Dubai, you live in Abu Dhabi, travel over. We're doing that in July, aren't we?

Yeah. July the 3rd? Yeah, that's probably it as well, isn't it? That'll probably be the last time we do the show. So yeah, so if you live anywhere and you're like, I've got to see this show, that's your chance. Or. Or. Or the other. Or. Or the other. Or. Or. Or. Or. the other. the other. the other. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. that's that's th. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's th. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. Yeah. th. th. th. th. Yeah. that's th. th. that's th. th. that's th. that's that's that's that's that's that's th. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, we're in Birmingham tonight. Yeah, see you then. Right, let's get on with our guest. I'm very excited about this. Yeah. We have got the biggest name we've ever ever ever had on the podcast. We have got Olympic gold medalist, two-time world heavyweight champion. Businessman, the man that brought you the George Foreman lean, mean, grilling machine. This man's lived a life, Josh, and I think absolutely nothing to do of us being exhausted from the tour of nothing left in the tank. I think we should just get straight into me.

Just get him on. Just get him on. Just get him on. Just get him on. Just get him on. the fuck up, lads. on George Foreman. This is Big George Foreman. Hello George. Hello George. Hello everybody. Thanks so much for doing this. I'm happy to be with you. This week we are joined by Omega Star. The best, biggest guest we've ever had is George Foreman.

Big George Foreman, two times heavyweight champion of the world, businessman, now filmmaker. George, thank you so much for doing champion of the world, businessman, now film maker. George, thank you so much for doing this. We're really excited and a bit nervous if we're totally honest. Ah, well I'm happy to be with you and talk about the movie and life and children. So how was it doing a movie where watching someone play you must be a really strange experience, right? Is it difficult not to go, oh, that's not, that wasn't how it was, that wasn't how the scene was?

No, the actor Chris Davis, he did so well sometimes I thought he, when it was over, I believe he was George's woman. But it was a good story about getting up, brushing off your pants, spitting in your palms and going another round. Well, George, your life has been, you know, I thought I knew about you from the boxing and stuff like that, but when I was sort of researching you, you've lived about seven lives. So if I've missed anything, let me know, but Olympic champion, then you went into boxing professionally and become world champion, then you stopped, run a community youth

club centre and became a preacher. And then when you needed more money for the youth club, you went back into boxing became a heavyweight champion again. In your 40s. And then obviously the George Foreman Lean Green Machine took off and became one of the most popular and successful things ever. And I've just found out he did the masked singer last year.

When does it stop, George? When does it stop? But it's been such a good journey in my life. I've had a lot of disappointment. Been knocked down a few times, but most importantly, I was on my way here. And do you find that with your faith, that feels like the biggest turning point in your life in a way, right? When you almost died, well, you died and then you got faith from that, right?

That's right, dead and alive and the split second, my whole life changed. For 10 years, I didn't make a fist. I walked away from it, trying to figure out what in the world has happened to me. And then along the way I started the youth center, started helping kids, I ran out of money. Kids will do that to you. And I'm happy boxing was dead, gave me a second chance to keep that youth center going. They keep them. And then I'm a grandfather as well.

Ten kids I raised. I became better at homework at their homework than they were. Ten kids. And 15 and 15 grandkids. And so are you doing any of the babysitting them with the grandkids? It's a bit difficult for them to choose which one to bring over, right? Well, when you have so many grand kids, it's been a lovely thing to watch them grow for someone to know you and they only know me as a grandpa George, but the movie made them find out different things, answer a lot of questions about my life. It was good for them. And your kids, you've got, so ten kids you've got. And is it correct that all the boys the boys the boys the boys the boys the boys the boys the boys the boys the boys the boys the boys the boys the boys the boys the boys the boys the boys their th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. tho. thoes. thoes. thi. thi. thi. the. the. the. the. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. to to to to to to to to to to to to to to th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. to. to. to. to. to to to to to to to to to to to to tod toda. to toda. to today. today. the. the. the. th. your kids, you've got, so 10 kids you've got, and is it correct that all the boys are called George, is that correct? Yeah, five sons, George Foreman, each one. Amazing. I told my wife, if I forget one of my kids named, a boy's name, I want to stop boxing, so I took care that. How does that work day to day when there's six Georges in the room? How are you talking to each other? Well, and not only that, there are about two more George's grandkids.

Oh, man. That's not my fault there, though. They didn't themselves. But you know, my wife, whatever tone of voice, when she said George, for some reason we all know who she's talking to. How do the kids talk to each other? Are they they they they they they they they to to they to to to to to to to to their. their. to to to to their. to to their. their. to to their, th. to to to to too. too. to their. too, too, tooge. tooomomorrow. Well, tooge. Well, too, too, too, too, too, too, too, too, to me to me to me to me to me to me. Well, to me. Well, to me. Well. Well, toe. Well. Well, toe. Well, the. the. the. the. the. the. the. their, their, their, their, their, their, their too, tooomea. toea. Well, toea. Well, toea. Well, toea. Well, toeto. How do the kids talk to each other? Are they got different name? Are they all George? Do they like George 2, George 3? Yeah, they call themselves Joy. One is the number, as you mentioned, numbers, but some of them have nicknames, but for some reason they're really happy about it. They have the same name. They love it. I think I've heard before that you is is is is th. Is th. Is th. Is th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. the. the. the the the. their the. their thoomea their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their their. their. the. the. thea. thea. tooea.a.a.a.a.a.a.a.a.a.a.a.a.a.a.a.a.a.e.a.a.a.a.a.e. They're. They love it. Amazing. I think I've heard before that you, is it true that you gave him that name so you all had something together like a bond because you met your biological father later in life and so was it important for you to have that bond early doors with your kids?

Yeah, I didn't meet my biological father. I think I was a grown man and been championed, lost a title, become a preachered And then I met, and well, and then I met my father for the first time. I wanted to make certain all my boys would have something in coming, all of my children. And it's something no one could take away from them. And why not give them a good name? So when you're training for the boxing in your your first stint do you what do you have names of the first and second stint do is it the old George the new George or is it is just a first and second go at it yeah well the movie was the tell the whole life the first and even the second

time when I became heavyweight champion the world again 20 years later and so I went in the first time all I had to to to to to to to the to the the to to th I th I the th I th I th I th I thi thi thi thi the thi thi thi the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the. I the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the truuuuu. trueu-I true joooooooooooooooooooogel. the new the new the new George George the the the the the the into the first time all I had was crushing power and a lot of hate. And I stopped boxing for 10 years, found faith. I had to come back to boxing, but this time there was never a punch in anger. Really? I learned a new sport, a new style. Was it more rewarding the second time then because you were in a better place mentally? You wasn't so angry? Would you enjoy it and present more? The first time around it was like our dream, we all dream of doing big things, but that dream became a nightmare because I was championed of the world, wealthy young men, but

I didn't find peace and happiness that I thought I would. It was a nightmare. But the second time around I had all of that peace didn't find peace and happiness that I thought I would. It was a nightmare. But the second time around, I had all of that peace and happiness, a reason to fight, not just for fame and fortune. I found good reason. And I'm, it made me more happy than the first time. It really did. And what do you think's more difficult, winning the heavyweight world championship or looking after 10 kids? I tell you that journey of raising 10 kids, who you better be heavyweight

champion for the world in reality. You better know something because it was a challenge. Each child was different. You got to make certain, I had to make certain that I didn't try to get them mixed up. Each child had their own life. Some would hide their homework. That was, well, they had to their homework that hid it under the bed. Then the teacher was called me, I had to visit schools and PTA meetings. That was a job. What, when you're going to, what's the gap between the oldest and the youngest? My oldest child, of course, probably 50 years old.

And my youngest, about 23. I used to tease them. I said, the oldest one, I said, they're gonna call you aunt. They're gonna call you the aunt., I said they're going to call you aunt. Holy God, they're going to call you the aunt. They're laughing. But you know what? The youngest became the most adult of the mall. Wow. You say like you're called in for PTA meetings and stuff, how much are people going, that's George Foreman? Surely the teachers also going, I'm not going to take this guy on. He's heavy-way world champion. And th. And th. And th. And the their th. th. their th. their th. th. their th. their th. thi. their thi. their th. their thi. their their their their their their th. their their old their old their old their old their their their old their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their their their their. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. tea. tea. tea. tea. tea. tea. tea. tea. their their their their their th. I. I. I. the teachers also going, I'm not going to take this guy on his heavyweight world champion. And that was, you know, and the one thing about my children, most of them they really knew

me as just dad. They stopped boxing to raise my children. And they grew up, all of them grew up knowing me just as dad. When I came back to boxing, that was a strange episode for them because they saw me in another light. Yeah. But most of them had already seen me as just dad. That must have been weird. Yeah, because you did it the opposite way to most athletes where most athletes dedicate their life to their sport and they get to 40-odd when they may or 38 and they retire and the kids have all grown up and left, but you took it the middle part out which most people say that's a terrible decision you're at your peak and you managed to spend all that time of your kids and get the best of both wells by going back to

boxing. Did you know, so that 10 years? Did you really appreciate that then? And do you feel like a much stronger bond of your kids now than th? th? th? th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. toooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooe. And thi. have if you hadn't had that 10-year break. I'm so happy I had a chance to enjoy my kids raised them and they know me as just dad. We bonded. And the 10 years that I was out of boxing, I learned to take them to the beach, going to the amusement parks. Oh man, I had a great time just raising kids. It was hard for me to get back into the boxing because of it. Didn't know how to leave them and go and get on the road again. How did they react to watching you get punched? Like that must have been a really weird experience for them to watch you.

Did they come to the fights? Yeah, it's strange. I saw them all at one of my boxing matches way back in Reno, Nevada. And they were enjoying themselves prior to the match, but once they saw the fight, I remember them saying, I'm not going back again ever. They stayed out. They'd be afraid. I fought for the title. I heard stories about them running into the shower and trying to get away from it.

They didn't want to hear it. But they were happy. I became champion of the world, but they weren't ready to see me box. I can tell you that. Were they more fans of the grilling machine than the boxing? Oh boy. George has his grill, George has two. On and on, but they love the grill.

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Discover a world of possibilities, with or without milk. Visit Nispresso.c.c.a to learn more or an espresso boutique near you. I mean, you could never have imagined how big that would go. You know, we mentioned it in the film as well. But like, you know, I think there are people that know you from the grill more than the boxing in certain places, you know, non-boxing fans. But did you ever imagine it would become as popular? I, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, the grill, the grill, the grill, the grill, th, th, th, th. th. th. th. th. th. thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, to, to to to to to thi, thi, to be, to the boxing in certain places, you know, non-boxing fans. But did you ever imagine it would become as popular? I used the grill. It was my wife who used it because I started a joint venture.

We're looking for a product. And my wife had it and was using it. But I didn't particularly like it. But she convinced me, Joy, this thing really worked. Because I loved the burgers, of course. And you make the burgers bthey were still a juicy the grease would go out but it's still juicy And I thought boy, I'm gonna have 16 of those things one for my aunt One for my cousins and then my wife. I had no idea that it was sell over a hundred and

20 million of those things world. Wow. It was a shock to me, I didn't see that coming. Of all your kids, like how different are they? Because we're like, we've got two kids each and you can see the different personalities. Can you see yourself in all of them? Like, is it weird in that way? When they pop up, I do see myself in each of them. When they pop up, see one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one one. the other the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. the other. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. the. the. the. the. the. the the the th. th. th. th. tooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooe. I. I. I. I too. I. I. I th. I.they pop up, see one, you see the other. But it's not like you have any more than two kids. You have ten, but it's not like you have any more than just two kids.

Because if one's missing, your heart is broken. You can't say this one's going to take the place of the other. I can't, the experience is you just loved them all as one. When you had your first grandkid, what was that like? Now, that was, that was really scary having grandkids. I was a grandpa and heavyweight champion of the world at the same time. What's going wrong here? Yeah, imagine. Can you pick them up from school, George? No, I can't. I've got to go and fight about the Holyfield actually next week. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. I. the the the the th. th. I. the th. the th. I, I, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I was, I'm, I was, I't, I've got to go and fight about the Holyfield actually next week, sorry. I'm telling you, and that's what an experience to be heavyweight champ in the world and waiting in line just like all the other parents, picking up grandkids, not just kids, but

picking up grandkids. And so you're really hands-on parent then, because it would be easy, like, obviously to go, I'm just focusing on boxing and stuff and stuff and stuff and stuff and stuff, but stuff, but stuff, but stuff, but stuff, but stuff, but stuff, but stuff, but stuff, but stuff, but thi, the the thi, thi, thi, thi, and stuff, and stuff, and stuff, and stuff, and stuff, and stuff, and, thi, thi, to, to, to, to be, and I's, to be, to be, to, to, to, to, to, and, and focusing on boxing and stuff, but you love that hands-on experience of it. Yeah, and what an experience to be a dad because you go through life trying to become rich and famous, coming out, but you find out the best things in life, I can't say a free, but the best thing in life doesn't cost a dime, just time with your children and grandkid. That's the best. And when you first, you know, burst onto the scene, like you said, you was very angry and aggressive and ambitious, was that who you were or was it you playing a role to sort of like establish yourself because you're obviously way more relaxed and funny and charismatic where before you were just big scary George and unfocused? Was that a character you were playing?

You pick up bad habits as you go along and the big habit I had I was angry. When I decided I wanted to be heavyweight champ for the world, my best friend, where my stable mate and friend was Sonny Liston who had been champ for the world and he was mean to everybody and I thought hmm that's where you got to be as a matter of fact I became more upset than him I think he looked at me a few times and to say ease up man but you pick up a lot of anger is really easy to pick up anger and you want revenge on so many people and that's what made life really rough for

me. And when you had your kids, did that change your outlook on things? Like I can imagine you as a very caring father. I can't imagine you being like a stern kind of angry dad. Boy I tell you kids took a lot of hate away from me to love for the first time in my life having kids. I found people that I loved and nothing can come between us. That changes everything. See them smile, make them laugh. The kids look at me as a big joker. Even my grandkids to this day, they think, oh, he's joking again. And that's the lovely part of my life

is experiencing my children, raising children. Was that one of the life is experiencing the children, raising children. Was that one of the reasons you did the Mars singer last year? Was that because of like your kids and your grandkids? That's a really touch a popular show with young people? Yeah, it was my wife. She'd been watching it for ages. They'd have, they've been after me for over a year. Come on to do the show, but I wouldn't but she convinced me Joyce I want you to do it. She enjoyed it so I did it and

come to find out I can sing so now the next thing is to do an album. Why not? If you don't buy that album? So this sort of so when did you have your first child had you found your faith at this point or did you have kids before you found your faith? When was your first child born? Yeah, I had my child when I found Jesus Christ, my first child had already become like four years old. So they don't even know me, even to this day as anything, but Daddy the preacher. Yeah. And do you think, it almost unlocked a sort of fearlessness inside you to go, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, Yeah, and do you think it almost unlocked a sort of

fearlessness inside you to go, you know, you had this faith now and you lost this anger and you sort of, it was almost you was liberated from what you were before and and I think when you are liberated you have a freedom to do anything and you want it to be a preacher and into the youth club. Do you feel that that is sort of more powerful than the strength and anger inside it's.. that you. that you.. that you. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. to th. th. th. thi. thi. thi. thi. to to to to thi. to to to thi. thi. to to go to go to go to go to go to go to go. to go to go. to go. to go. to go. to go. to go. to go. to go. to go. to go. to go. to go. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi. thi. thi. thi. the the. the. the. thea. to to to thea. to to to to to to thea. to to to the thea. to the thea. thea. the that that is sort of more powerful than the strength and anger inside? It's a much more positive energy that you found. A great description. Liberated I was. All of a sudden I had real what you call courage. It takes a lot of courage to be kind and love people because you think hey what's going to happen to me if I love this person? I really found courage to love my fellow man.

And that night in Puerto Rico where I died and this vision, I was dead and alive again. I had a second chance to live, found out the greatest invention of all time, not the grill but human beings. That is the grill the second greatest. Human beings, I loved them. That I'vethe grill the second greatest. Human beings, man, I love them. I've not met anyone in my life to this day that I didn't care about and wanted to be kind to them. And that's what that experience did. Once you have a second chance to live, it changes everything.

For people, because obviously that's a key part in the film is that moment, but for people who aren't aware of that, talk us through that near-death experience. Yeah, I had been heavyweight champ in the world and on top of the world, then I lost the title to Mohammed Ali, I became, oh, even more angry, and I wanted to revaiance. I wanted to become champ of the world again. But one night after a boxing match, when I was number one contender, I found God in the dressing room that experienced. I was dead and alive in a split second over my head under my feet, there was nothing.

Hopelessness. If someone tell you to swim in the sea and there's nowhere to go, that's the way it was. And then I said, I don't keep there's death. I still believe that as a God when I said that, rescued from nothing. I saw blood on my forehead and on my hand. And I screamed, Jesus Christ is coming alive in me. Oh, they rushed me to intensive care. I can tell you that. I was in a hospital looking at that button go ping, ping, ping, and I knew if it'd gone flat. That was the end of me. But that changed me. Like I said, for 10 years, I didn't box. I couldn't make reckoning. I couldn't understand that. I didn't believe religion existed,

but I walked away from that day with religion. And then later on, I found faith in God. I couldn't change. The best thing that ever happened to me was finding God. And how quickly was that changed? And obviously you had that moment where you saw something, and then you was in the hospital. Was it like a light switch going on, or did over over over over over over over, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, thi. thi. thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I.... I, I, I, I. I, I. I. I, I, I. I, I, I. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. th th to. to. tooo t today, today, today, th th th th th th th thi. th th th th saw something and then you was in the hospital. Was it like a light switch going on or over time it sort of you know, the way you was thinking about things, your outlook changed? Yeah, right in that hospital I said, oh, I just got hit too hard. But maybe something this, maybe

you try to talk your way out of it, but the smell of death, I couldn't talk myself out of that. I was dead and given that. Maybe that you that you that you that you that you that you that you that you that you that you that you th. Maybe th. Maybe th. Maybe th. Maybe th. Maybe th. Maybe th. Maybe th. Maybe th. Maybe th. Maybe th. Maybe th. Maybe thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi. thi. Maybe thi. thi. You're that you're that you're that you're that you're that you're that you're thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the their their their te. te. try. try. try. try. try. try. try. try. try. try. try. try. try. tha. tha. t't talk myself out of that. I was dead and given a second chance. The first thing you want to do is go home and tell you mom, hey, I love you. Because when I was dying, it was like the only thing that bothered me, I hadn't said goodbye to my mother, who had put up with so much. So I got a chance to go back home, spend time with my mother, embrace the life of children. And that changed me instantly. Well, I guess in a matter of what a week, I had to find a new George form and learn to live with him. It disappointed a lot of people

because they loved the champ at that time. But the champ was gone. That night I died literally and that was the end of the old boxer. I knew one was born. Took me 10 years to get to know him. It's amazing that like this, it's such an incredible story. It's amazing it's taking this long to be made into a film because you read, you know, your life story and you go, well, this is more like incredible than any film in a way. Have you been considering this for years? Well, how did it come about it? Well, a lot of people talk about it and the opportunity would come and go, but once

the people that are affirmed and Sony pictures decided to do it, we got a script, something I can live with because if you're're a celebrity, like, well, some of us are, you hide your life. You go through life with big gates around your house so nobody can come in, tend it glass on your cars, dog glasses. You go through life, hide in your life, go through times. Now it was time to reveal. I wrote a book. And it time to reveal. And it's not easy to go out and tell you a story to the whole world. They see things that you thought. I thought that was a secret. That's not easy. I'm telling you. It's not something you go back and see. You say, boy, did they see that? And they did. The movie reveals some things even for me. When you put it it it it it. to their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. their their their their their to to to to to to to to to to to to to their their to to to go. to go. to go to go to to to to to to to to to to to to their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their tell. tell. tell. tell. tell. tell you. tell. tell you. tell. tell. tell. tell. tell. tell. their story. their story. their the? And they did. The movie reveals some things even for me. When you put it in art, you can see it. Not just read it, you can see it.

Do you think you're more proud of the movie or the grill? You're obsessed with the grill. Let's see how the movie does first. Yeah. The movie is a wonderful experience. But that grill I can jump up and have a burger, salmon, grill salmon. Oh boy, I love that grill. The people from the movie company at the moment are going, say the movie, George.

Say the movie. Okay, I forgot the movie. The movie. And George, I think we've done pretty well. We didn't mention Mohammed Ali for 25 minutes and you mentioned him. Obviously, he plays a big part in your life story in the film. How do you think the second George Foreman would have dealt with Mohammed Ali rather than the angry first incarnation of George?

How do you think that would have gone? Yeah, I felt the man and I tried and Itried. And of course I lost the title. And when I lost the title, I was devastated. That's why I had so much vengeance, hate in my heart. I wanted to be champ for the world again. But just at the time when I could have, I found God. And in the meantime, I became friends. Mohama started calling me. We became the the the the phone, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I was, I was, I started calling me. We became friends, talked on the phone, and then the iPhone, the advent of the eye telephone. We can see one another as we spoke.

I fell in love with Mohammed Ali. Amazing. He was one of the longest friends I've had, friendship I had ever had and I miss him to this day. I love the guy. Wow. Did you ever talk about parenting in the boxing circuit, the the the this day. I love the guy. Wow. Did you ever talk about parenting in the boxing circuit? Like, because obviously Mohammed Ali's got kids and it's such a macho world. Would you ever be like, oh I'm having a bit of a nightmare, Mohammed with my kid? You know, she wants to stay out late. I don't know what to do.

Did you ever have conversations like that. You know, strange with Mohammed, he always wanted to win. Didn't realize our competitive he was. We talk on the phone. George, how many grandkids you have? I think maybe three, four, I have five. Always wanted to win. And of course, both of us built, our children, our children were a greater part of our life than you could imagine. You grow up and you talk about what are you going to tell your kids, what are you going to teach them? The most important thing we both learn to teach our children is that we love them. No matter what someone does to them taste of beer and the perfect pairing for your game time. When Miller Light set out to brew a light beer, they had to choose great taste or 90 calories per can. They chose both, because they knew the best part of beer

is the beer. Your game time, tas like Miller time. Learn more at Miller Light.C.A. Must be Legal Drinking Age. Because obviously you achieved so much in your life and your stuff. How did you deal with parenting kids there? Are you going, you can do all these things? You going, follow your own path. How do you deal with those kind of things with your kids? Well, we built a big home with a lot of rooms, but I never displayed any of the world title belt championships and trophies. I wanted them to know it was about them going out doing those things for themselves, not to try to compare themselves with their achievement with

minds. And that was easy. My children learned to be themselves and not to be the child of George Foreman, but themselves. They were George Foreman. And I never did want them to say, oh, George Foreman is your dad. I wanted people to meet my children and say, and ask them their name, and they've done that. They've become great people with their own identity.

Yeah, but they are called George as well George which is a slight problem. Yeah, all of them are called George but uh, but they're their own people. But you know what they're their own person. Because George, my son George, he's proud of what he's accomplished. And you know George, he's never offended by what he's accomplished. And you know, George, he's never offended by what George has accomplished. But that other George, I'm telling you, we've had some problems with. But then George straightens him out too.

So did the older kids start looking after the younger kids after a while then like and helping out with all the jobs? When you have so many kids you can't make it without one looking out to the other. They have their own thing together, the children. They are even now, they are all these chat lines where their siblings chats. They still talk with one another. They have a life beyond George forming the dad. They have their own lives and I'm really happy about that. And what are holidays like when you've got 10 kids? Where would you go?

Would you stay at home? How did that work? Well, you don't want to go out there and promote Christmas. Can you imagine buying 10 gifts for all of your children and then 15 for your grandkids. So what is best to do when those holidays come is disappear. Kill it is all over. So how does it work with, you say they've got like a big like a group or like a WhatsApp group or whatever, like, so do you have big family events?

Is there like on your birthday or something? Is it just everyone comes to you and whatever, like, so do you have big family events? Is there like on your birthday or something? Is it just everyone comes to you and it's like kids everywhere. George is all, George is as far as the eye can see. Yeah, their birthdays are more important to me than anything. When one, one of my kids have birthdays, we all try to be a part of it. My birthday is really special. They all try to decide what they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're they're going they're going to do to do to do to do to do to do to do to do to do to do to do to do to do to do try to be a part of it. My birthday is really special. They all try to decide what they're going to do for me. One year in particular, I told them they were what are we going to do for you? I said I'd like to have just a birthday with my grandkids. And that was presented to me. None of the kids, just grandkids. That was probably the most wonderful birthday I've had.

Amazing. Amazing. Being a grandparent, is that almost more rewarding than being a parent? Because obviously as a parent you're, you know, you're having to discipline you all those kind of things as a grandparent, you can literally just be fun Grandpa George. That's it. Been a grandfather so rewarding. All you have to do is be nice. And they like you. I don't have to go out there and tell them, don't do this. Sit up straight. Be a bit, uh-uh, with the grandkids, all you do is just love them.

And I think that's more rewarding to me. Or being a grandpa is no doubt. the best things. tha. tha. tha. to be. to be. to be. thi. to be. thi. to be. to be. thi. thi. thi. thi. to be. thi. thi. thi. thi. to be. their. their. to be. thi. to be. their. to be. to be. their. their. th. th. th. th. th. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. their. their. their. their. their. their. their. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi. thi. thi. thi. the. to. to. to. to. to. to. to to toe. toe. toe. toe. to toe. toe. toe. the the the the the this that ever happened to me. So when you have all the grandkids over and you like you said that was your favorite birthday, what do you do, what do you do? Are they just watching tele or playing in the garden? Or do you organize activities for them? What's your dream day with the grandkids? Just sitting around in my big living room and watching them. They come by, tak a picture of two tak. tak. tak. tel. tel. tel. their tel. tel. their their their their their their their their their. their. their. their. their picture or two, they tell jokes, they ask me something, I'll tell another joke. It's a joke-telling time.

But the most important thing is just sitting there watching them. And for some reason they're entertained with it too. I think they think, like I said earlier, they think I'm some big joker, so I love it. You've had a sitcom as well. So you are a big joke. There was a George sitcom. Like, I mean, obviously you've done everything in your life. Have they watched any of that? Do they go back and watch your old fights and stuff? Yeah, some of the kids go back and they watch some of the old boxing match because

they didn't, especially the grand kid didn't even know I was an athlete. Then each one of them get to a certain age where they've turned on and said, that's George Foreman. And most of them even call me George Foreman. Not even knowing that I was a boxer. And when they see me on television, there's George doing commercials, they've enjoyed it and come back and explain them,

ask me questions about my life. The grandkids growing up knowing their grandpa and asking questions is a wonderful thing. And do you, obviously, you know, you're much happier George Foreman than the angry guy that burst onto the scene. Couldn't you still turn that on if you wanted to? I know you don't like to, but you know, when your daughter started dating and the new boy the new new the new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new new the new the new to the new to the new to their.... I. I, their, th. I, th. I's, th. I's, to th. I's, th. I's, th. I've, thii. I've, thioliol-aughe. I's, thi. I's, thi. I's, their your daughter started dating and the new boyfriend wasn't be very nice have you still got it in your locker just to sort of turn up the the scariness? Well I tell everybody I went back to boxing the second time and my thing was never a punch in anger I never was angry I never wanted to hurt anybody had to become champ for the world but there was no anger

no hate at all. Now when your kids, especially your daughter, start dating, I mean you start putting this frown on your face like, you know, for the guys and know to bring those girls back home, I mean it. But other than that, I've had a lot of fun with it. If you had that more, you know, never thrown and punching anger at the start of your career, do you think you would have beaten Muhammad Ali and carried on beating other people? You know, do you think you would have changed how you was as a younger fighter? It would have been an asset. All of that anger didn't serve me well. I remember even especially with Muhammad Ali, I was just trying to knock him out, knock him out, beat him, knock him out of the ring.

I didn't even care about strategy. For some reason I wanted to get it over as quick as I could. Second time around, I really learned boxing as a skill. Anger was gone, I had to learn skill. I became better at it. If I had done that in the beginning, I never would have stopped boxing. Ten years out, I would have had ten years to become a better boxer. I mean, you must be so driven to do that twice. Do you see that in your, like that's such a mindset? And obviously you came from a very different background to what your kids are coming from because they're coming from, you know, the life of the world heavyweight

champion and grill king. Is it difficult to keep them grounded in that sense in the same way you were when you're coming up? It's not easy. One morning, one of my boys, my first son, as a matter of fact. I heard him arguing with my wife and she had some jeans. They were clean, but it seems to be they were looked faded. And I heard him say, I don't want to look poor. I heard him. And I took him back to my neighborhood.

I showed him the places where I tried to escape from police where I live. He looked at me as like, I don't think you're my dad. And so, because they had such a good upbringing, everything they ever wanted, they had. And so that's why the movie it made me happy because they get a chance to see the real life of George Foreman and make them understand and appreciate their lives even more so than they did. And have they seen the movie? Yeah, the kid, they're going to the screenings of the movie

and watched it one after another and they come back and tell me, I didn't know that, I didn't know that. A lot of things were cut out of the movie about my life and I tell them, I wish they had been cut out of my own life too. Let them go. Yeah. You've had the things in your life that haven't gone well for you and then you've come back like, you know, near-deaf experience and that lost to Mohammed Ali was, you know, worldwide, number one news at the new young thing. What advice would you give to people where the thing they wanted most

hasn't gone for them and it feels like this is the end is no other options of what to do. What advice would you give to someone because you are the person that has come back and lived different lives? You haven't just done one thing, you've been liberated and try that. What advice would you give to that person that's down at the moment, that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's down at the moment thinking, oh, it's not gone my way. Yeah, what a wonderful chance to have a second chance at life. The most important thing, I wanted fame and wealth, and I embraced all those things. And then I had a chance to lose them. And then that's when I found out the world was a better place.

People would walk up to me and give me a boost on the car. And I try to pay them. They said, get out of here, big. They didn't even know me as George for me. I found out that it was a better world, even without all of that fame and fortune. And I appreciated life and friendship. Forgiving. All of those things made for a better person.

I learned to forgive. And once you forgive, you find out you got so many phone numbers that you can call and recall again that I had lost. And I tell people it doesn't matter how far you fall. All you got to do is brush off your pants, spit in your palms and go another round with life because there's some great things around the corner for us if we just look for them. And boy, life has gotten better and better. And I tell people too, even now, putting my bow feet on the floor every morning and think, what's next?

I got potential, you know. I feel that potential. Oh, that's a chance that I can do all things again. I'm always anxious to find different business. I don't want to be a boxer anymore. I want anybody hitting on me. But the point of it is, I still believe there's a future for me. I still believe.

Wow. Different grill. Maybe the fat increasing machine because now it's all about carbs are the bad thing, aren't they? Give me ideas, I'll do it. George, it's been such so inspiring talking to you. And I think you're a great example of when what you could perceive as a worst thing to happen to you, which would have been, you know, the rumbling in the jungle, losing that fight was it feels like, it, it, it, it, it, it, it the their their their their their, it's, it's, it's, it's, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, tho, tho, thoom, tho, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, their, thi, thi, thi, thin, thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii, the rumbling in the jungle, losing that fight, was it feels like that was the best thing that happened to you, because it was the making of you. And then you had that night in Puerto Rico and it changed everything.

And that forgiveness and liberation has led to all these amazing things that you never could imagine that that first George Foreman would have gone on to achieve. It's quite remarkable. Wow. Forgiveness is that subtle thread that binds both love and friendship. If you learn to forgive, if you're without it, you could even lose children. You can be without a mother or father just because you don't forgive. I learned and boy, I got 15 bank kids, 10 kids. Oh, I got it all now. And you've got hopefully a number one film, George.

This has been absolutely amazing. We've got one last question we always like to ask, which is if your partner, your wife was listening to this, or your partner, what's one thing that your partner does, parenting-wise that frustrated you over the years with the 10 kids? And what was the one thing thi thi thi thi thing thi thing thi thing thi thing thi thing thi thing thi thing thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, tho, thi, thi, I tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, tho, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I'm, I'm, thi.. thi. thi. thi. thi. thin, thooooooo t toonn't, t toon't, too. t toon't, too. tho. tho. tho. tho. th that your partner does parenting wise that frustrated you over the years with the 10 kids and what was the one thing she did that was like oh she's so amazing I'm so lucky to have children with her. Oh one thing boy that got me is my wife made out only the children behave she

started making me behave. Pick up those pen. You can't wear that shirt out there. And that was the most rough part of being married. But as life go on and you see your kids take on those little life lessons she's taught us, I'm glad that she was able to be the disciplinary person she was. I'm happy about that. It makes me love her more. She disciplined us all. George, it's been a joy to speak to you. The film, Big George Foreman, which is full of the, you know, the positivity that has welled through this interview is out April 28th in cinemas. It's an amazing film, George. Be really proud. It's incredible and you're an absolute inspiration.

Thanks for letting us chat to you. Thanks so much for having me guys. I love that Josh. Yeah, can can can can for people who can't see it, pathetically I'm wearing my wildcar boxing hoodie and Rob's got put a pair of boxing gloves behind it. They're always there. They are always there. They are not always there. I've got a new camera because that's why it normally comes off there. Let's go back and check the footage. B.A.R. No, I want I want want to to to to to want to to want to want to want to to to to to want to to to to to to to to to to th. I want I want I want I want I want I want I want I want I want I want to say to say to say to say to say to say to say to say to say to say to say to say. I to say. I to say. I to say. I to say. I to say. I to say. I to say. I to say. I to say. I to say. I to say. I the the the th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want. I check the footage. BAR, BAR, BAR. Now, I want to say though, because I'm not religious at all, but I totally do agree with that forgiveness

thing and being liberated. Because I don't think you have to be religious to sort of believe in that. But, and I think he's a great one but then afterwards he's become the most charismatic man of her ever met. Oh no sorry second behind Ali McCoyst. Who's also got five kids. Five boys. What's it going? What's going on there? And my dad's got five boys. What are three? Yeah, there you go. George Foreman. Watch the film. Big George Foreman out April 28 as they say in America. Yes speak to you later. See. See on Tuesday. th. th. th. the th. th. the th. th. th. the th. th. the th. the th. th. th. the the th. th. the th. the the th. the th. th. the the the the th. the tho. thoom-I. the the the thoom-I. thoome. thoome. thoom. thoom. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. to to to to to the the to to the thoooooooooo. tho. Yes, speak to you later. See on Tuesday. Bye. I'm Ivo Graham and I'm Alex Keeley with stand-up comedian who love music and we'd like to tell you about our new podcast, GigPigs. Alex and I have been watching live music together for years so we've decided to compromise this hobby and potentially our friendship by turning

it into a project. Every episode we'll be going to a gig and then discussing it afterwards with the friends who came along to third wheel us. Asking questions like, did you enjoy the gig? Did you enjoy the gig? Did you enjoy the gig profoundly change? Did you enjoy the gig profoundly change? Did the gigue with live music? Was the cure with Celia A. B.

And next month we're going with Ed Gamble to watch Napalm Death. Episodesodes are out from this Thursday and every Thursday thereafter until attending live music once a week with a different guest becomes logistically impossible. We have no idea how soon that could be so join us now by going to a preferred podcast platform and searching gig pigs. If you like Josh Widdykum, you're in luck. That's because the co-host of Parents in Hell and the Last Legge is the guest on the first episode of The Always Be Comedy podcast. Out now and with me, your host and MC Always Be Comedy, James Gill.

Each week, the Cream of Comedy curates their fantasy comedy gig. Who'd open, who'd close? What gig nightmare do they never want to relive? All this and much, much more. It's essentially comedy gossip and chat. You know, I remember this the other day. My first ever gig, oh, it was like a Friday night, open mic night. And they said, we'll just announce you on you on it to announce you on to announce you on to announce you're to announce't got a running order it's bit free form I got to the end of the night

And then they wrapped it up and they'd forgotten to put me on and I'd sat there the whole night We've also got Stuart Lee Harry Hill Jen Brister Ben Bailey Smith Mazy Adam Al Marie Rachel Paris and many many more coming up. That's the Always Be Comedy Podcast. Out now with new episodes every Tuesday. If you're not in the queue and you are waiting, then step to the side. He got in touch, you said, yeah, sorry, mate, you didn't seem like yourself the other day. You've only met me three times. The self-service checkout. I don't care what you're called. I'm not getting tricked tripped tripped tricededededededededededededededed tricicked to to triced to to to to to to to the tripped their tripped to their their to their their their their toe. toe. toe. their their toe. to be to be to bea. to bea. to bea. to bea. to be to be to be tooes. tooes. tooes. tooes. toe. toe. toe. their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their the. the. the. the. thea. their their their their their their their the. their their the. the. the. thea. thea yourself the other day. You've only met me three times. The self-service checkouts. I don't care what you're called. I'm not getting tricked

into working here. People at festivals in those stupid jester hats. I glanced at a tampon. Two pounds to nine for a bottle of water. Why is your Wi-Fi code? Your boss starts guiding yon. What's upset you now? I'm Paul McCaffery. We are the hosts. We are the hosts. We are the hosts. We are the hosts. We are the hosts. We are the hosts. We are the hosts. We are the hosts. We are the hosts. We are the hosts. We are the hosts. We are the hosts. We are the hosts. We are the hosts. We are the hosts the hosts the hosts the hosts. I the hosts. I'm the hosts the hosts the hosts the hosts the hosts the host the host. I the host. I the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the th. I I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I th. I'm not th. I'm not th. I'm not th. I'm not th. I'm not tr. I'm not tre. I'm not tre. I'm not tre. I'm not thrie. I'm not thi thi. I'm not you now? I'm Sean Walsh. And I'm Paul McCaffrey. We are the hosts of What's Upset You Now. The UK's Angriest Podcast. And we are back for Series 5. Boyar.

We all love a good moan, don't we? And Sean and I, well, Sean mostly, are two of the best in the absolute business and every Tuesday and Thursday we moan about all those little things that really get our go. We also have guests. What guests have we had, Sean? We have had Romish Rangelathen, Rob Beckett, Mark Lamar, Joe Brand, Catherine Ryan, Tom Alan. Fifteen minute episodes every Tuesday and Thursday, brand new, What's upset you now, series five, out now. Oh for God's sake.