Meet Charlie Brenneman
World’s Toughest Lifelong Learner
The Spaniard grew up in small-town Pennsylvania focused on family, academics and wrestling. After Division I wrestling and All-Academic success, he taught Spanish and coached wrestling back home until leaping into reality TV (“Pros vs. Joes” season 1 champ) and professional MMA (27 fights total, 11 in the UFC, #7 ranking in 2011). Now The Spaniard teaches again, not in classrooms but online and on stage, aiming to embody and inspire lifelong learning as vital for thriving. Learn More.
In-Person & Virtual Speaking
Enlightening, Entertaining, Inspiring
Contact The Spaniard for school appearances (assemblies and author talks), keynotes, speaking events, workshops and consulting. His personal story represents resilience and perseverance, and his message of lifelong learning lays the foundation for character development and continuous improvement.
The Spaniard’s Books
Hard-Hitting Life Lessons from a #1 Best Selling Author
Spaniard School Podcast
Learn to Live Fully and Without Limitations
Being young is tough, and feeling like you can’t, or that you want to give up, is not weird, nor is it a sign of weakness. It’s a lot more common than you think. So join us every week to learn how to keep moving forward when life feels like it’s knocking you out. Hosted by former Spanish teacher and UFC fighter Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman.
Spaniard Show Podcast
Reading Highlights, Conversations and Other Updates
As I pursue my main focus—helping students gain life skills—I constantly aim to learn and grow in my own life, and I talk about that process on ”The Spaniard Show.” After years of producing up to six episodes a week, I’ve evolved a flexible routine of publishing highlights from my latest reading, talks with fascinating guests, and solosodes about life and business. Listen and equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to take down and knock out (puns intended) any challenge. Learn to live!
What Others are Saying
Joe De Sena, Founder, Spartan
I meet a lot of people, and very few of them keep coming back. I met The Spaniard several years ago at our Spartan Wrestling Camp. He approached humbly and eager to learn. Since then, he has become part of our family. It takes a unique person to live the Spartan code—continuously striving, pushing, enduring—and Charlie does it and loves it. His love of learning and teaching shines through in his books, podcasts and speaking. He’s not reached the success he aspires to just yet, but he will, and this book is documenting the process. Read it. Learn. And do!
Diamond Dallas Page, WWE Hall of Famer, Creator, DDPY
Charlie Brenneman believes that “Work Ethic = Dreams.” Those are the exact words that are inscribed in my WWE Hall of Fame ring and something we both share. His new book is about working your a$$ off for what you want, while documenting the process. You want to achieve a Want, a Desire, a Dream, my brother Charlie can help you Live IT.
Leif Babin, Former Navy SEAL Officer, New York Times Bestselling Author
Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman competed at the highest levels of mixed martial arts. We can learn much from his experience in combat sports and life, as he constantly strives to learn, grow and improve in every aspect. Get on the path.