Foreword
Below are several key points and within each point are the steps and information
to help you create your own Fight Club. Each section has useful information regarding
the process. Following the steps in order ensures a rational process of thought and timely
execution. The steps explain how to recruit people, pick a location, develop rules and a
schedule, and begin your Fight Club. Disclaimer: I expect that by reading this you
understand exactly what this is asking of you and what you are getting into. If you are
unable to perform these actions or do not fully understand what you are getting yourself
into bow out, put this away, and maybe someday come back to it again. Fight Club is not
a seminar; it is not a weekend retreat.
Beginning
Enter Tyler Durden:
So you want to create your own Fight Club? Start something? Be
something? Your first step is to realize that you need this “escape.” Do
you need this? Or is it something you just want or have heard about?
Complete the following checklist and afterwards refer to the end of
this section to see if you are ready to begin a fight club.
□ Do you need a place to vent anger and frustration of your daily
stresses?
□ Do you feel you may be channeling your negative energy into a
place deep within yourself?
□ If so do you feel it may be unhealthy?
□ Do you feel the need to act on violent impulses but do not
because society tells you not to?
□ Do you need a place to let go and become someone else or shed
your façade?
□ Or do you just hate your life?
Now the first step: Did you really fill that out? Do you really
need some checklist on some piece of paper to tell you what you need
or want in life? If that’s the case then you need this opportunity. It’s
time for you to break free and do something more with your life.
Forget the list. It’s a guideline, not something you need to adhere to
religiously. Follow these instructions and your impulses, and maybe
that voice in the back of your head, to get started.
Exit Tyler Durden
People
The first step is recruiting, but Fight Club is not about attracting numbers, it’s
about escape from the corporate, the social, and the “real.” You do not want to get every
jerk and Bob that wants to join. Start by looking in places you work and within your
network of friends. How many of them have the same problems you do or hate their jobs
as much as you? Find a few trusted individuals to begin this with you. If you really want
you can go through the checklist with them, but you should be able to recognize your
same suffering within another. Make sure they are ready and worthy, but keep it free to
all. In Fight Club there is no race or labels. Develop criteria and stick with it but
remember to not be too harsh or demanding. An example is you want to invite people like
you, at least to start. Friends with your same occupation or similar problems feel the same
way as you do. Though strangers may be on the same level as you, that doesn’t mean
they will be able to find the same respect for you that your friends or colleagues will.
Pick people that are willing and ready to make the commitment to Fight Club. Keep in
mind not everyone is cut out for Fight Club and can take it, so start with a small list. A
small form of initiation is by no means required, but may be a smart way to weed out
anyone not ready or committed; but don’t get carried away or do anything too dangerous.
Location
Start by thinking up places nearby where you live, where you work, and where
you socialize. Then discard any of those places that keep lots of people around during late
hours or never close. You can’t have a Fight Club for everyone to watch. It is not a
spectator sport. Here are some ideas to assist you in picking a location:
 The more secluded the better.
 The less the chance of being found, the better.
 Make sure you can have consistent access to this location.
 Basements and cellars work well. Especially if owned by a colleague or
participant who is willing to host “events”.
 It must be big enough to have a fight in and people around it to watch. You don’t
want a cramped space that packs you in too tightly.
 25’X25’ or around 500 square feet should be enough. Find what works for you.
 If it already has padding, that’s a plus.
 If it requires little or no renovation, that’s a plus.
 If it’s part of a business that closes early and you can use it after hours without
fear of patrons, that’s a plus.
Your best bet is someone that owns a home or business and is willing to let you
use the biggest room that is not made for business or family. If you own your own
location for this then you have a much better legal right to do whatever the hell you want
in it. Doing something “illegal” in a place you don’t own or have permission to be in and
getting caught by the cops does not mix. Be smart.
Location is a big deal for this so pick what speaks to you and your company. Shitholes and trashy places may be what you start with or utilize. Don’t be afraid to try
something new.
Rules
The first and most important rule of the Fight Club created by Chuck Palahniuk
is: “You do not talk about Fight Club.” The second rule of Fight Club is: “You DO NOT
TALK ABOUT FIGHT CLUB!”
Get the picture? Good.
Before you begin you need to set up rules about how your fight club is going to
work out. Take into account: Membership, “Publicity,” Secrecy, Fighting, and
Consequences/legal action. The set of rules in the movie fight club is a very romantic
representation and they are a good start but I insist on adding much more detail about
certain instances so there is no confusion later. Having only 10 rules that describe what
you wear, how a fight starts and stops, and to not talk about it isn’t enough. Make sure
you and your founding members can all agree on the same set of rules and allow for
growth in the rules later on. Create a place of awakening, growth, and enlightenment, a
place of freedom. Not a place of hazard, drama, and stress, filled with elements from the
outside world.
 Make sure you address how members join and when they begin.
 Make rules about what is allowed in the “ring,” clothing-wise.
 Define illegal techniques. “Anything goes” can always be fun, but not smart.
 Keep a level of secrecy involved. Your club will lose its luster if just anyone can
come, and if it gets too crowded.
 Remember it’s not just about you.
 Unless you really believe people are all as truly masochistic in the movie and
book, create a waver that anyone has to sign acknowledging the danger and their
willingness to participate.
 Talk about legal issues before they arise, make sure that people that go there
understand what your fight club is all about.
Fight club is not about the violence, it’s about expression and freedom. That being
said, obviously people will get hurt. Use this opportunity to create something great, and
make sure your rules reflect this. Sticking with a basic idea of the rules in the book/movie
and expanding beyond them is a good plan. Make sure you don’t run everywhere telling
people about your club. It takes one mouth to destroy what you are doing. Exclusivity can
mean longevity.
Schedule
The last important thing to note is schedule. Setting up times and days when you
will come into the fight club. Make sure to choose days that are compatible with the
location, group, and any arbitrators involved. Figure in time to heal between your own
matches and others. If you start with a lot of people keep the schedule more organized so
that everyone has a chance to participate in their enlightenment.
Your Project
“This is your life, and it’s ending one minute at a time.”
Tyler Durden
Don’t miss this opportunity to do something with your life. The purpose of the Fight Club
is to solve a problem; that problem is man’s loss of his humanity, his true humanity, his
loss of purpose and life. Fight Club brings something back for you, and makes you
something new. Make sure you don’t abuse the opportunity you’ve been given here, to do
something great with your life, don’t squander one minute more. Take your life by the
handles and ride it out like a champ. This is your life, be who you want to be and do what
you want to do. If you’ve followed these instructions, get ready, your project is just
beginning. Incoming: Enlightenment.
“The key to Immortality is first living a life worth remembering.”
Bruce Lee