The High Performance Podcast Ronda Rousey: The price I paid to become a UFC champion (E261)
May 23, 2024
In a candid conversation, Ronda Rousey, the former UFC women's bantamweight champion and Olympic judo medalist, shares her journey from overcoming personal tragedy to becoming a groundbreaking athlete. She reveals the weight of her father's suicide on her life and discusses her addiction to winning. Ronda explores the harrowing impacts of concussions and the often-ignored mental health aspects of competitive sports. Through her story of resilience and vulnerability, she emphasizes the importance of having a backup plan and finding support in challenging times.
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Shared Loss
- Ronda Rousey and Jake Humphrey share a similar experience of losing close family members to suicide.
- Rousey's father hid his chronic pain and terminal diagnosis, choosing suicide to avoid burdening his family.
Trauma to Triumph
- High achievers, like Olympic athletes, often experience early trauma.
- Rousey's father's suicide led her to find solace and an outlet in judo, where complete focus became her "medicine."
Fighter's Mentality
- A "fuck you mentality" is essential for fighters, combining strength, skill, work ethic, and a drive to win.
- Rousey found that combat sports provided a healthy outlet for negative emotions, channeling them into something productive.