Danaher a Behind-the-Scenes Sage for St. Pierre, Others
The New Zealand émigré holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as well as a Masters degree in Philosophy from an Ivy League school. Not that the two are diametrically opposed, but Danaher seems convinced they are much more congruent than most would believe. One may wonder what philosophy and jiu-jitsu have in common. The Renzo Gracie protégé makes a compelling argument that has sold many a fighter and even more jiu-jitsu players.
“[Fighting] is a problem solving activity, and the people who do best at it tend to be people with rational, inquiring minds,” Danaher says. “And so, the relationship between philosophy and mathematics has to do more with human beings using their rational faculties to solve problems, rather than, in the case of jiu-jitsu, blind strength, anger and aggression.”
