From athlete to humanitarian, Wren shared his journey
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter and mixed martial artist Justin Wren, opening keynoter for ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú2025, shared his transformation from professional athlete to humanitarian champion for indigenous communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A survivor of childhood bullying, Wren found refuge in wrestling and eventually mixed martial arts. Despite professional success, he struggled with addiction and attempted suicide before experiencing a profound spiritual awakening. "Service and purpose didn't just change my life. It changed me," Wren explained, describing how volunteering at a children's hospital led him to humanitarian work. Following what he described as a vision, Wren traveled to the Congo Basin rainforest where he met indigenous communities facing water contamination, disease, malnutrition and extreme exploitation. Wren founded Fight for the Forgotten, a charitable foundation which has provided 97 water wells serving 80,000 people and helped 1,800 people transition to lives of freedom and dignity. "What meaningful impact would you make if you only knew you could?" Wren asked, reminding nurse leaders that even small actions can create powerful ripples of change.