Relevant, relatable lessons for students of all ages

With Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman,
Spanish teacher turned UFC fighter

Relevant, relatable lessons for students of all ages

With Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman, Spanish teacher turned UFC fighter

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.

Charlie Brenneman, Motivational Speaker

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.

  • Captivated our students, staff and faculty with his leadership lessons and words of wisdom.
    Dr. Karen Scolforo, President, Central Penn College

  • Up there with the best I have seen over the past thirty years.
    Rocco Scalzini, Founder, Beating the Odds Foundation

  • Powerful message that inspires not only assessment but action.
    Mitch Johns, Founder/CEO, Food Services Solutions

The Spaniard’s Books

Hard-Hitting Life Lessons from a #1 Best Selling Author

Driven by Charlie Brenneman

Driven: My Unlikely Journey from Classroom to Cage

This is the story of Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman, an unassuming kid from rural Pennsylvania who ascended to the highest ranks of professional combat sports.

Becoming the World's Toughest Life-Long Learner by Charlie Brenneman

Becoming the World’s Toughest Lifelong Learner

Whatever idea or passion you pursue, you’ll face obstacles, mess and doubt. I know because I’m chronicling the ups and downs in real time as I build my life and career.

Days of Spaniard Book 1

Days of Spaniard

A series of life skill stories that help kids grow up. Aimed at ages 10-15 in grades 5-9, this series is an entertaining and enlightening resource for counselors, parents, teachers, coaches and school administrators.

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 School Online Learning
Spaniard Show Podcast

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 DeSena

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!

Joe De Sena

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.

Diamond Dallas Page

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.

Leif Babin

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