Kristian Ferrell
Will Harris, a former D1 college basketball player, joined Joe Rogan on his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience: MMA Show in 2019. Harris, who had dreams of making it to the NBA, suffered a career-ending injury in college, which led him to pursue a different path. He went on to graduate with degrees in Public Relations and Film, and eventually found success as a cinematographer and filmmaker. Harris has worked with global clients such as the Discovery Channel, NBA, UFC, and ESPN. On the podcast, Harris and Rogan discussed 'Dagestani basketball', a unique blend of basketball with elements of rugby and MMA.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Will Harris |
| Profession | Filmmaker, Cinematographer |
| Podcast | Anatomy of a Fighter |
| YouTube subscribers | Over 18,000 |
| YouTube views | Over 2 million |
| Podcast appearance | JRE MMA Show #68 with Joe Rogan |
| University attended | University of Southern Indiana |
| Degrees | Public Relations, Film |
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What You'll Learn
Will Harris's career-ending injury
Will Harris, a former D1 college basketball player, had dreams of becoming a professional basketball player in the NBA. However, a career-ending injury during his sophomore year in college forced him to change his plans. Harris tore his ACL, which not only affected his physical health but also took a toll on his mental well-being. He mentions how his girlfriend at the time supported him through the difficult period.
Despite the setback, Harris persevered and graduated with two degrees: one in Public Relations and the other in Film. Instead of pursuing a traditional 9-5 career, Harris chose to follow his newfound passion for cinematography. He purchased his first camera and began documenting his journey, a decision that would eventually lead him to become one of the top collaborative artists in the United States.
Harris's talent and hard work paid off as he collaborated with major clients such as the Discovery Channel, NBA, UFC, SHOWTIME SPORTS, PBS, MTV, and ESPN. He also documented weddings and gained recognition for his work in the world of combat sports, particularly his documentary series "Anatomy of a Fighter," which garnered over 2 million views.
Harris's story is a testament to resilience and adaptability. While his basketball career may have ended prematurely, he found success and fulfillment in a different field, showcasing his skills as a cinematographer and filmmaker. His appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast further highlights his journey and the impact of a significant life event in redirecting one's path toward new passions and achievements.
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Joe Rogan's podcast
Harris, a former D1 college basketball player, saw his basketball career come to an end due to a serious injury. This setback led him to pursue an education, graduating with degrees in Public Relations and Film. Harris's passion for storytelling and cinematography took him on a new path, and he has since become one of the top collaborative artists in the United States. His work has taken him to places like Dagestan, where he witnessed the unique blend of basketball with rugby and MMA elements.
On the podcast, Harris shared his thoughts on success and happiness. He explained that his definition of success is being able to take care of his family and live comfortably. Harris also mentioned that he once heard Joe Rogan discuss a study on the correlation between wealth, riches, and happiness. The study found that Americans who earned a $75,000 salary were happy, and that an additional $15,000 increase in salary did not significantly impact happiness when compared to being a millionaire. This resonated with Harris, who values a career that maintains his happiness and lifestyle over the pursuit of millions.
The episode also delved into the playful jibes exchanged between Rogan and Russian UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov regarding his basketball abilities. Nurmagomedov, known for his skills in the octagon, posted a defiant clip of himself sinking a three-pointer in response to Rogan's comments. The unique blend of sports, known as Dagestani basketball, combines basketball with elements of rugby and MMA takedowns, which both Rogan and Harris commented on during the podcast.
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Will Harris's transition from basketball to film
Will Harris, a former D1 college basketball player, had dreams of becoming a professional basketball player. However, fate had different plans for him. While attending the University of Southern Indiana, a career-ending injury forced him to pivot and explore a different path. Harris graduated with two degrees, in Public Relations and Film, and chose to pursue his newfound passion for film.
Harris's journey into film began with a $600 camera and a single lens. He started by documenting weddings and gradually built his brand by creating free videos. Harris's passion for storytelling and his unique vision as a director set him apart. He understood that filmmaking is about bringing the director's story to life through cinematography. This dedication to his craft has paid off, with Harris becoming one of the top collaborative artists in the United States.
Harris has worked with prominent clients such as the Discovery Channel, NBA, UFC, SHOWTIME SPORTS, PBS, MTV, and ESPN. He has also documented UFC fighters, showcasing the world's best MMA and boxing athletes, coaches, trainers, and gyms. His YouTube channel, "Anatomy of a Fighter," has gained a significant following, with over 18,000 subscribers and more than 2 million views.
In 2019, Harris appeared on "The Joe Rogan Experience: MMA Show" alongside Joe Rogan. The episode discussed the unique 'Dagestani basketball,' a blend of basketball with elements of rugby and MMA. Harris's transition from basketball to film demonstrates his resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity, and he continues to inspire others through his work and his story.
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Dagestan basketball
Award-winning filmmaker Will Harris travelled to Dagestan to record his documentary based on Khabib Nurmagomedov's life in the Russian republic. Harris runs the YouTube channel 'Anatomy of a Fighter', which has gained over 500,000 subscribers. His documentary about Dagestan and 'The Eagle' has gained millions of views on the platform. One of his 'Dagestan Chronicles' episodes has over 17 million views on YouTube, with his Dagestan and Khabib Nurmagomedov-based documentary being the biggest success of Harris' career.
Harris shared his experience of shooting the Dagestan Chronicles with Khabib Nurmagomedov on Joe Rogan's podcast. Harris told Rogan that he doesn't believe anybody can beat 'The Eagle'. Harris elaborated that, compared to how the Dagestanis live their lives, there is no way anyone can beat Nurmagomedov. He further stated that the Dagestani people tie everything they do to their faith, similar to how the boxing legend Muhammad Ali used to do. Harris also observed that Nurmagomedov is an extremely disciplined athlete and truly lives like a champion. The UFC commentator added that 'The Eagle' does not drink, smoke, or abuse his body and is also very dedicated to his religious beliefs.
Harris revealed that he was initially warned by many about travelling to Dagestan to record Khabib Nurmagomedov. However, he described Dagestan as "intense, but beautiful". Harris also commented on the respect shown to women in Dagestan, stating that they are treated like "queens". He noted that women in Dagestan are not allowed to be in pictures and have to cover themselves because the men view them so highly. Harris' comments received some criticism, with some arguing that he was being "incredibly naive or willfully ignorant" of the cultural and societal issues in Dagestan.
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Will Harris's YouTube channel, Anatomy of a Fighter
Will Harris is an award-winning cinematographer and the creator of the YouTube series "Anatomy of a Fighter", a documentary web series about the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) combat sports. The series features some of the world's best MMA fighters, boxers, coaches, trainers, and gyms. Harris prides himself on being a huge fan and a storyteller of these fighters, and his work includes behind-the-scenes content, day-in-the-life segments, and in-depth profiles of athletes from around the world.
Harris has had unprecedented access to the MMA community, living with the fighters and gaining their trust. He has travelled to the homeland of Khabib, for example, to meet his family and learn about his culture. This level of access has allowed Harris to create unique and exclusive content, including footage of McGregor vs the bus, and behind-the-scenes looks at fight camps and gruelling weight cuts.
In addition to his work on "Anatomy of a Fighter", Harris has also worked on other film projects, including "The Mind of Dom". He has over 300 projects to his name and is based in San Diego.
Harris's YouTube channel faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it difficult for him to continue his work. He also encountered issues with teams and financial constraints, as well as competition from fighters' own recording teams. In 2021, Harris announced that he was closing out his career of documenting MMA, with his last Reddit post on the topic receiving over 690 votes and 180 comments.
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Frequently asked questions
Will Harris is a filmmaker and cinematographer who has worked with clients such as the Discovery Channel, NBA, UFC, SHOWTIME SPORTS, PBS, MTV, and ESPN. Harris was a former D1 college basketball player who, after a career-ending injury, graduated with two degrees and followed his passion for filmmaking.
Joe Rogan is an MMA analyst and host of the popular podcast, "The Joe Rogan Experience."
Will Harris joined Joe Rogan on "The Joe Rogan Experience: MMA Show" to discuss the famed 'Dagestani basketball' and the weird and wonderful iteration of the sport, which combines basketball with elements of rugby and MMA.
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