"No one talked about that" - Demetrious Johnson recalls how mental health has always been a 'taboo' subject in MMA

ONE flyweight MMA world champion Demetrious Johnson admits that mental health isn't exactly a topic being discussed in the locker room, especially when he first started.

After all, mixed martial arts may just be the toughest sport there is, and fighters are expected to display both physical and mental fortitude. Then again, 'Mighty Mouse' has been known to break several barriers throughout his legendary MMA career.

'DJ' recently linked up with former ONE atomweight MMA world champion Angela Lee during a trip to Hawaii. The pair fearlessly tackled the stigma of mental health in the sport.

Demetrious Johnson shared:

"Yeah, well it's always [been that way]. It's always almost like taboo, right? Like me growing up in mixed martial arts, no one talked about that. Nobody did. But I always had little pieces up. [There were] fighters before me who did that."

Watch the illuminating MightyCast episode in its entirety:

Meanwhile, Demetrious Johnson has always been a trailblazer, particularly with his influence in putting the lighter-weight classes in the mainstream.

It's indeed refreshing to see such one of the greatest MMA athletes of all time address the importance of mental health in the fight game.

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Demetrious Johnson reveals he also struggled with opening up

While talking to Angela Lee, Johnson also recalled instances in his personal life, where his lack of emotional maturity caused some problems with his wife Destiny Johnson.

The MMA GOAT candidate candidly shared:

"I think one of the biggest things is obviously being open. But, like I said earlier during the show, my wife [always] said, 'It's like talking to a brick wall.' Like, you don't express your feelings, right?"

Johnson has certainly come a long way when it comes to sharing his feelings. The 37-year-old icon has truly matured as a fighter and a person, making him the perfect role model for the next generation.