On this episode of Happy Hour with Kim and Ash, rising professional boxer Julius JuJu Ballo joins Kim and Ash to share his journey from starting boxing at age 3 in San Diego to becoming a two-time USA national champion, Junior Pan American Games gold medalist, and now undefeated pro. Julius JuJu Ballo opens up about his Iraqi heritage, family support, and the pressures and pride of representing his culture in a sport that's uncommon in Middle Eastern communities. He talks about sacrifice, discipline, and how his daily routine and mental preparation fuel both his confidence and his performance in the ring. Listeners learn what goes into his training and nutrition, why he encourages boxing for kids, how he copes with rising fame, and how he balances family business ventures (including running several El Pueblo Mexican Food locations) with his boxing ambitions. Julius JuJu Ballo previews his August 29th headlining fight in Detroit, touches on hometown support, and closes with practical advice for up-and-coming athletes and some rapid-fire favorites (including his go-to cheat meal and walkout playlist). Timestamps: 00:00 Surreal Reunion & Juju’s Boxing Origins01:31 Heritage, First Fights, and Pro Debut02:49 The Team Behind the Boxer03:36 Family & Cultural Support04:38 Boxing and Iraqi Identity05:16 Upcoming Detroit Fight Details05:55 Managing Nerves & Mental Preparation06:32 Athlete Parenting & Mom’s Ringside Reactions07:17 Daily Training Regimen07:54 Nutrition, Weight Class, & Paulina the Nutritionist08:36 Boxing Career Longevity09:15 Discipline, Sacrifices, and Social Tradeoffs10:08 Lessons for Young Athletes & Boxing as Life Teacher11:10 Life Beyond Boxing—Favorite Pastimes & Cheat Meals12:19 Fame, Community Recognition & Inspiring the Next Generation13:48 Family Support at Fights & Detroit’s Cultural Impact14:46 Opponent Strategy & Shifting Training15:31 Protecting Siblings, Conflict, and Temperament16:57 Advice: Consistency & Self-Belief18:03 Balancing Discipline, Routine, and Joy19:09 Post-Fight Recovery & Vacation19:30 Walkout Playlists: From 50 Cent to Bob Marley20:20 Where to Watch the Fight & Social Media Handles21:05 Rapid Fire: Dream Opponent, Bird Noises, and Business Ventures22:53 Family Businesses: El Pueblo & Local Ties23:44 Closing Thanks & August 29th Fight Hype Connect with JuJu: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliusballo/ Connect with Kim & Ash: Ash Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyjacobstv/ Kim Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimtaggartlocker/ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyhourwithkimandash/ Fieldswell Studios Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldswellstudios/
On this episode of Happy Hour with Kim and Ash, rising professional boxer Julius JuJu Ballo joins Kim and Ash to share his journey from starting boxing at age 3 in San Diego to becoming a two-time USA national champion, Junior Pan American Games gold medalist, and now undefeated pro. Julius JuJu Ballo opens up about his Iraqi heritage, family support, and the pressures and pride of representing his culture in a sport that's uncommon in Middle Eastern communities. He talks about sacrifice, discipline, and how his daily routine and mental preparation fuel both his confidence and his performance in the ring. Listeners learn what goes into his training and nutrition, why he encourages boxing for kids, how he copes with rising fame, and how he balances family business ventures (including running several El Pueblo Mexican Food locations) with his boxing ambitions. Julius JuJu Ballo previews his August 29th headlining fight in Detroit, touches on hometown support, and closes with practical advice for up-and-coming athletes and some rapid-fire favorites (including his go-to cheat meal and walkout playlist).
Timestamps:
00:00 Surreal Reunion & Juju’s Boxing Origins
01:31 Heritage, First Fights, and Pro Debut
02:49 The Team Behind the Boxer
03:36 Family & Cultural Support
04:38 Boxing and Iraqi Identity
05:16 Upcoming Detroit Fight Details
05:55 Managing Nerves & Mental Preparation
06:32 Athlete Parenting & Mom’s Ringside Reactions
07:17 Daily Training Regimen
07:54 Nutrition, Weight Class, & Paulina the Nutritionist
08:36 Boxing Career Longevity
09:15 Discipline, Sacrifices, and Social Tradeoffs
10:08 Lessons for Young Athletes & Boxing as Life Teacher
11:10 Life Beyond Boxing—Favorite Pastimes & Cheat Meals
12:19 Fame, Community Recognition & Inspiring the Next Generation
13:48 Family Support at Fights & Detroit’s Cultural Impact
14:46 Opponent Strategy & Shifting Training
15:31 Protecting Siblings, Conflict, and Temperament
16:57 Advice: Consistency & Self-Belief
18:03 Balancing Discipline, Routine, and Joy
19:09 Post-Fight Recovery & Vacation
19:30 Walkout Playlists: From 50 Cent to Bob Marley
20:20 Where to Watch the Fight & Social Media Handles
21:05 Rapid Fire: Dream Opponent, Bird Noises, and Business Ventures
22:53 Family Businesses: El Pueblo & Local Ties
23:44 Closing Thanks & August 29th Fight Hype
Connect with JuJu:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliusballo/
Connect with Kim & Ash:
Ash Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyjacobstv/
Kim Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimtaggartlocker/
Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyhourwithkimandash/
Fieldswell Studios Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fieldswellstudios/