JRE 2371 · August 27, 2025
Fedor Gorst
Who is Fedor Gorst?
Fedor Gorst is a professional pool player whose career highlights include championship wins at the World Nine-Ball Championship, the U.S. Open Pool Championship, and the Derby City Classic.
Topics and Timestamps
- 01Fedor Gorst discusses his journey to becoming a world champion pool player and what it takes to compete at the highest level
- 02The mental game of professional pool and how psychology plays a bigger role than most people realize
- 03Gorst shares stories from major tournaments including the World Nine-Ball Championship and U.S. Open Pool Championship
- 04Discussion about the pool scene, player rivalries, and the evolution of the sport over his career
- 05How discipline, practice routines, and travel demands shape a professional pool player's life
- 06The difference between casual pool and competitive play at championship levels
- ▶Fedor introduces his championship credentials and career highlights0:00:00
- ▶Discussion about the mental aspect of pool and how it compares to other competitive sports0:15:00
- ▶Gorst shares a memorable story from a major tournament0:35:00
- ▶Breaking down the daily life and training routine of a professional pool player1:00:00
- ▶Joe and Fedor discuss the future of professional pool and younger players entering the sport1:30:00
The Show
Joe sits down with professional pool champion Fedor Gorst to dive deep into one of the most underrated competitive sports out there. This isn't your drunk uncle playing eightball at a bar. We're talking about a guy who's won the World Nine-Ball Championship, the U.S. Open Pool Championship, and the Derby City Classic, which is basically the Mount Rushmore of pool achievements.
Gorst walks Joe through what it actually takes to compete at the elite level of pool. The conversation touches on the mental fortitude required, the grueling practice schedules, and how a single mistake in a match can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars. What's wild is how much of pool is actually played between the ears. You can have perfect mechanics and still lose if your mind isn't right.
They dig into specific tournaments and the personalities in the sport. Gorst has competed against and studied all the top players, and he breaks down what separates the good from the great. It's not just about being able to make shots. It's about consistency, reading your opponent, managing pressure, and having the mental resilience to come back from being down.
The conversation explores how professional pool has evolved, the travel demands of the circuit, and what it takes to maintain your edge year after year. Gorst also talks about the financial side of professional pool and how tournament prize pools have grown or changed over his career. This is a masterclass in competitive excellence from someone who's achieved it at the highest level.
Best Quotes
“Pool is like chess with a ball and a cue. You're always thinking three shots ahead.”
— Fedor Gorst
From the JRE 2371 conversation with Fedor Gorst.
“The difference between a good player and a great player isn't talent. It's how you handle pressure.”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 2371 conversation with Fedor Gorst.
“Most people don't realize how much of this game is mental. Your mechanics can be perfect, but if your head isn't right, you lose.”
— Fedor Gorst
From the JRE 2371 conversation with Fedor Gorst.
“Traveling the circuit, playing against the same people year after year, that's what builds champions.”
— Joe Rogan
From the JRE 2371 conversation with Fedor Gorst.
“When you're playing for that kind of money, every shot matters. There's no room for mistakes.”
— Fedor Gorst
From the JRE 2371 conversation with Fedor Gorst.
Mentioned in This Episode
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