Steven Bartlett with Dustin Poirier
After retiring from fighting, he loses the purpose that organized his days. Following an arrest for public intoxication, rebuilding involves sobriety, renewed therapy, and a new outlet for competitive energy.
Poirier describes retirement as the loss of the identity and daily purpose that had organized his life for two decades.
He says fighting and training gave him a productive outlet that quieted mental noise, and ordinary workouts no longer provide the same sense of direction.
Poirier takes responsibility for the airport incident and says thoughts about his homeless father and his own depression provide context but do not excuse his behavior.