The Heart of the Bad Wolf
By: Command Creative Studios
Language: en
Categories: Sports, Wrestling, Society, Culture, Personal, Journals
The Heart of the Bad Wolf is a long-form, deeply human exploration of the fighters who step into the cage and the people they are when they step out of it. Hosted and created by Nicholas James Muscarella, a lifelong student of combat and connection, this podcast goes beyond records, rankings, and highlight reels to uncover the stories that shape the warriors of mixed martial arts.With a background in wrestling, Kyokushin karate, Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, acting, and psychology, Nicholas brings a rare blend of discipline, empathy, and presence to every conversation. Here, fighters are seen not just as athletes...
Episodes
Guest: Chris Padilla ( The Mindset of a Fighter: Calm Before the Storm. )
Dec 15, 2025In this episode of The Heart of the Bad Wolf, host Nicholas James Muscarella sits down with UFC fighter Chris Padilla for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation that goes far beyond the cage.
Chris opens up about the mindset he carries into fights and why calmness, discipline, and mental clarity are some of a fighter’s greatest weapons. He discusses the demanding training and nutrition required at the highest level, while also reflecting on deeper themes like family dynamics, mentorship, and the personal demons every fighter must face along the way.
The conversation also explores ho...
Duration: 01:11:50Overcoming Adversity: The Inspiring Story of Steven Asplund
Dec 08, 2025Steven Asplund is a larger-than-life heavyweight with no filter, a ferocious work ethic, and a story you'll want to hear. In episode one of The Heart of the Bad Wolf, host Nicholas James Muscarella sits down with Steven to dive deep into his journey: from growing up overweight and bullied, to embracing fighting, grinding through early amateur bouts, and bulldozing his way into the spotlight after lighting up the Contender Series.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
How Steven’s childhood shaped his fight and his lifeThe moment he decided enough was enough, and he began tran... Duration: 01:08:21The Heart of the Bad Wolf — Official Podcast Reveal
Dec 01, 2025The Heart of the Bad Wolf is coming, and this trailer sets the tone. Hosted by Nicholas James Muscarella, this podcast goes far beyond fight records and highlight reels. It digs into the stories behind the warriors of mixed martial arts: where they came from, what they’ve battled through, and how they’ve learned to control, channel, and feed the “bad wolf” within.
If you’ve ever wanted to understand the fighter behind the fighter the human behind the mouthguard—this is the place. Raw truth. Real stories. No scripts. Welcome to The Heart of the Bad Wolf. Duration: 00:01:15