Every now and then, I want to give you a look back at what I’ve been experiencing, so you can get a fuller picture of my journey. I’ll be talking quite a bit about meeting you, the fans, because those moments mean a lot to me. I’m truly grateful for them.
Business and Sport
I’ll start with an event from the second half of May: Forbes Business Fest 2026. I was one of the speakers on the “Sport and Money” stage, and I really enjoyed the conversation with the hosts. They asked good questions—some I don’t think I’d ever answered before. That’s something I love: when hosts or journalists prepare well and know how to ask interesting questions. That conversation had real value for me. I also met a lot of major figures from the business world there, which was inspiring.
I enjoyed the whole event, partly because it was so different from what I usually do.
Everything Starts Today
That same day, I recorded a powerful interview with Petr Šimůnek, the former editor-in-chief of Forbes in the Czech Republic. He’s now facing a serious illness and recording a unique podcast called Všechno začíná dnes—“Everything Starts Today.”
I have to say, I had the honor of speaking with a different Petr from the one I remembered. I’d met him before at Prague Castle, and he was different then. Something inside him had changed. There was a completely different energy coming from him. And the conversation was… How do I put it? Raw. Every look, every word. We got into a lot of topics that weren’t comfortable for me, but that made me appreciate it even more. A powerful experience.
From Prague to Liberec and Back
At the end of May, I was invited to two very different events on the same day: Pump & Jump Fest at Westfield Černý Most and Swaglift Day in Liberec. At the shopping center, I met fans of all ages. In Liberec, it was mostly young guys who reminded me of myself years ago, when I used to go to the gym to lift. They had that same drive.
I took photos and signed autographs for hundreds of people at both events. I’m sorry if I didn’t get to everyone. I always appreciate that interest so much. Someone asked whether it wears me out. Not at all! It gives me energy. Every time. It’s great to meet people who share a similar energy. I’m really grateful for it.
Two Stops in England
At the beginning of June, I spent two days in England: the first in Birmingham, the second in London. First came a photo shoot for Joya Gear, then a fan event at one of the brand’s stores, where I spent more than three hours signing autographs and taking photos. In London, I led two seminars attended by dozens of fans, including some who had never really trained MMA before.
Every fan I meet is another reminder that I chose the right direction in life.
Late that night, I went for a walk around London, and people from all over the world stopped me. The same thing happened recently when we put Elenka in her stroller and went to Prague Castle. I was fascinated by how many tourists visit Prague—from truly all over the world.
A Group Meditation
I had another great experience with fans in Prague at the Offseason festival. Along with a big group meditation with the audience, I took photos and signed autographs at our BJP Store booth. That was originally supposed to last an hour. We ended up adding another forty-five minutes, but I still couldn’t get to everyone. I’m sorry about that, but I had to leave for a shoot. At least we all got a group photo together. Being able to share something with so many people and know you’re on a similar wavelength is an experience in itself. I’ll never get tired of that.
And maybe it’s also a sign that we’re doing things right with Team BJP.
Originality, but Not at Any Cost
Sometimes even I’m surprised by the response to things in the BJP Store. Take the special edition we released a few weeks ago: T-shirts and hoodies that I personally tore up :) It was completely spontaneous. I sometimes rip the sleeves off my T-shirts, which comes in handy in the summer. So the guys on the team put together a few T-shirts and hoodies for me to “customize” by hand. They sold out right away. It’s great when something comes together spontaneously like that and people connect with it.
It was original, but it wasn’t originality for its own sake, which you see so often these days.
We don’t want to be flashy just for the sake of it. We want everything carrying the BJP name to make sense. We’ve recently made new swimwear, caps, and other clothing, for example. I’ve also really taken to the design of the new collection. It’s tied together by hexagons inspired by honeycomb. That’s beauty in simplicity. I’m still loving that pattern, and people seem to be responding to it, too.
Pink Shoes
I also really like the design of the new black shoes we made with Botas, which are now available in the store.
But people have been noticing the pink shoes I’ve been wearing a lot lately. Those aren’t for sale. Designer Martin Brna made them for me when my daughter Eleonora was born. I probably wouldn’t have picked out pink for myself otherwise. At first, I felt a little strange wearing them, but I’m gradually starting to see the meaning in it. There’s a softness to them, but they still stand out. They have the right energy.
Interestingly, I had that exact shade of pink in the double-roof symbol—my logo—on the jacket I wore before my first title fight with Glover Teixeira. And I like that color more and more. It’s gentle, but persistent. At the same time, it carries an energy of all-embracing love that can get through anything. I’m almost thinking about doing a special pink BJP edition.
A Change on the Team
Not everything lately has been easy. Announcing the end of my working relationship with my friend and longtime coach Jaroslav Hovězák was, of course, difficult. But the time had come. I’m glad the announcement didn’t stir up too much speculation or debate. Jaroslav and I reached an understanding, and we’re still friends. I’m grateful to him for everything we achieved together.
An Important Partnership
What I am incredibly happy about is our new partnership with a strong partner, Winning Group. Starting in September, we’ll have a large new shared space in Brno: Winning Fitness, which will also be home to Team BJP. It will include one of the largest centers for HYROX training and competitions.
I see joining forces with such a big, professional organization as a turning point for the whole BJP team. It’s giving me fresh enthusiasm and energy for the road ahead. I believe it will help me in my next training camp, with space for better training, sparring, and recovery. It will also open up more opportunities for camps, training retreats, and supporting new talent.
There’s something much bigger on the horizon, too, which I believe will take the whole BJP Institute forward in a major way. But I can’t say more about that yet.
A New World With Elenka
With everything that’s going on, I’m also trying to enjoy as much time as possible with Elenka, who’s becoming more and more aware of the world. She smiles more often when I come to say good night before bed, or when she wakes up in the morning. It warms my heart. She completely—and beautifully—breaks up my routine, and I’m so glad she does. Every time I come home now, a whole new world opens up in front of me. And for that, I’m endlessly grateful.