Darren 'The Tarantula' Godfrey Jr - Power Slap World #2, Bare Knuckle Fighter & His Mental Health Journey

In this episode of The Talking Tradesman Podcast, I sit down with Darren “The Tarantula” Godfrey Jr. — ranked #2 in the world in Power Slap and lined up for a title shot. Darren opens up about his tough upbringing in Bristol, his raw journey through bare-knuckle fighting, and how those battles shaped the fighter he is today.Find Darren here - https://www.instagram.com/darrengodfreyjnr?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==We talk about what it really takes to stand on the world stage of Power Slap, the brutal honesty of combat sports, and why mental health awareness is just as important as physical strength. Darren gets real about therapy, community, and fighting inner demons — proving that resilience can turn pain into power.This is more than just a conversation about fighting. It’s about survival, growth, and chasing greatness.Thanks to this episodes sponsors Brewers Decorators CentresChapters00:00 Introduction to Power Slap00:30 Understanding Power Slap: Rules and Mechanics02:10 Darren's Journey in Power Slap05:26 The Road to the Title: Training and Competitions08:43 The Experience of Being Scouted10:31 The Evolution of Slap Fighting12:55 Family Life and Support in Combat Sports14:09 The Dynamics of Watching Loved Ones Fight16:12 The Impact of Social Media on Sports19:40 Darren's Background and Early Life20:35 Growing Up in a Tough Environment27:17 The Journey into Fighting34:30 Struggles with Mental Health42:10 Turning Points and Life Changes48:59 Bare-Knuckle Fighting Experience49:04 The Hard Hits of Bare-Knuckle Fighting50:02 The Evolution of Bare-Knuckle Fighting51:16 The Future of Fighting: Opportunities and Aspirations52:01 The Fight Scene: Misfits and New Opportunities53:04 Reflections on a Fighter's Journey54:00 Mental Health and the Fight Game55:08 The Importance of Support and Community56:04 The Role of Therapy in Mental Health57:03 Closing Thoughts and Future Endeavour'shttps://www.instagram.com/strettonia.boxing._godfreys?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==