The documentary series Self-Destruct by Jay Grewall is the first to examine the psychology of the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter. This show shifts the focus from the skill and technique of MMA fighting to the psyche of fighters, their gravitation towards such a brutally competitive sport, and their acceptance of the ramifications of what is clinically known as "self-injurious behavior". Through one-on-one interviews with doctors, psychologists, therapists, social workers and parents/family members, Self-Destruct debunks common beliefs about MMA fighting and its battalions, while exploring the ways a fighter’s upbringing may affect his goals and outlook on life.
By following these fighters daily lives and activities, Self-Destruct compares the stories of various different fighters and examines their journeys by asking the most commonly asked question: WHY?
This series is not about MMA as a sport, but about the frame of mind that propels a person into it. The series is not produced to sway one into or away from the sport, nor is it to deem it good or bad…right or wrong, but as an analysis of mindset and psyche of these contenders.
Until now, numerous documentaries have been produced exploring the sport and it’s aspects and attributes, including how one becomes a fighter, a fighter’s training & workout regimen, and the history of martial arts. These documentaries observe who, what, when, where and how
Self-Destruct , on the other hand, takes a journalistic approach in answering the number-one most commonly asked question by the general population: "Why does a normal, healthy person choose to accept repeated pain, despite the possibility of short & long term damage? Why does one choose this line of “career” as opposed to the traditional white-collar (non-self destructive) career? How can one give reason and rationale to such self-mutilatory behavior in the name of sport? What was the turning point of a fighter’s life that made him/her decide to enter this world? This film takes a raw, in-depth look at the psyche of fighters, their views on pain, and what goes through their minds when encountering pain.