By way of a quick introduction, Ronda Rousey is a two-time Olympian and the UFC’s first undefeated Women’s Bantamweight champion. That sentence in itself is impressive enough for most, but Rousey’s history of personal tragedy and unwavering determination reveals a depth and strength of character that is evident in her journey as both a woman and a fighter.
As cheesy as it sounds, Rousey was a fighter from day one. When she was born, the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck, depriving her brain of oxygen. The resulting damage led to a massive developmental delay causing her to be unable to speak in coherent sentences until age six. Two years later, at age eight, her father committed suicide. Needless to say, her childhood wasn’t easy, but young Rousey was tough and crafty. Years later, she recounts stories of her early days as a street brawler. When the family was short on cash, Rousey would bet boys $10 that she could beat them up. (Nowadays I think you would be hard-pressed to find someone who wouldn’t prefer to keep all four limbs safely in their sockets. But back then her skills weren’t quite as widely known.) Then, after she had won, she’d use the money to buy her favorite Frappuccino. (Stars, they’re just like us!) But through every hardship, Rousey relied on the support and guidance of her mother, AnnMaria De Mars.
De Mars, herself an Olympic Gold medalist in Judo, has been a constant source of advice and inspiration for her daughter as she continues to grow in skill and reputation. In quite a few interviews, Rousey has recited what she terms a “mom-ism,” a short phrase or mantra, even, to live and train by. “No one is easy until you beat them.” During an interview with Jimmy Fallon earlier this year, Rousey talked about her mother’s frequent reminders to practice the armbar, Rousey’s lethal signature move.
Professionally, Rousey is unbeaten. Her record is a stunning: 12 – 0. But she doesn’t stop there. She is has graced bookshelves – with her autobiographical story entitled My Fight/Your Fight – as well as the silver screen. (Rousey appeared in Fast and Furious 7 this year, among other roles.) Her achievements have made headlines and magazine covers. Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey is everywhere, and she is using her newfound fame for good. As a vocal proponent of self-love and body confidence, Rousey is making a name for herself outside the cage.
Rousey freely talks about her feelings of embarrassment and shame as a child in training, when her strong arms and muscular figure did not match those of the women on the covers of magazines. But now, as one of those cover models herself, she encourages women everywhere to take care of their bodies and embrace their individual beauty. In her own words, as she stated for her appearance in ESPN The Magazine’s 2012 Body Issue, “Skinny girls look good in clothes, but fit chicks look good naked.”
**All statistics and biographical info courtesy of Self Magazine and Strikeforce All Access: Ronda Rousey Episodes 1 & 2.
