Side bar: phd literally stands for Doctor of Philosophy. Lots of dopes don’t know that.
Plato – one of the most significant thinkers of Western Civilization, was an astute wrestler. In those days (in Athens), it was assumed that a learned young man would develop his body, as well as his intellect.
“Plato’s akedemia, a garden and gymnasium on the outskirts of Athens, was known as a hub for wrestling and intellectual discussion. Plato himself was not just a philosopher but also a wrestler, and a good one at that: he competed in the Isthmian Games, a competition comparable to the Olympics. In fact, “Plato” was a wrestling nickname, meaning broad-shouldered. Between his lectures in the original academy, Plato likely sparred with his pupils and practiced throwing techniques. His famous mentor, Socrates, was what we might call a “volunteer coach.” Plato records many of the Socratic dialogues as taking place at the edge of the ancient wrestling mat where Socrates philosophized with young men. Socrates was a regular at the Lyceum gymnasium where, decades later, Aristotle started his own philosophical school.”
Other distinguished people who formerly grappled
US Presidents
George Washington
Abraham Lincoln
Teddy Roosevelt (also practiced judo and Japanese jiu jitsu)
Dwight Eisenhower
Arts, sciences, medicine, and law
John Irving (author & wrestler)
Ken Kesey (author & wrestler)
Neil DeGrasse Tyson (physicist & wrestler)
Andy Rooney (journalist & wrestler)
Sam Harris (neuroscientist & bjj practitioner)
John Danaher (philosopher & bjj practitioner)
Saulo Ribeiro (lawyer & bjj practitioner)
Bruno Fernandes (MD & bjj practitioner)
Eddie Cummings (mathematician & bjj practitioner)
Jan Gosiewski (engineer & judoka)