In my earlier Odyssey articles, I talked about how Holly Holm ended Rousey's perfect win streak by a devastating kick. This article is much more serious and will have nothing to do with fighting but rather, a different more open minded approach to Rousey's newest scenario.

Recently on the Ellen Show Ronda Rousey admitted to having suicidal thoughts after losing to Holly Holm. The worn down fighter who seemed as if she was knocked down from the top of the world shows vulnerability. By admitting this she is actually assisting many people who struggle through depression.

Bringing this matter to a larger light; what is good enough for a professional athlete (or anyone) anymore? How is it that this athlete who has beaten twelve professional fighters and is still regarded as the best female competitor of all time able to flip the switch and think about ending it all so quickly? The fact of the matter is that we're all humans and we mess up...it's just what we do! So what if you don't get that thing you wanted, finish first in something, or plain out win it doesn't matter! Life goes on and days get better. Also, people should get inspired to do better if they lose or don't get what they want. Losing builds characters and the real winners aren't always the ones who have never lost but, the people who can turn loses into wins. If a person can learn from their mistakes and fix the problem, they are winners in my book. The old expression, "fall three times, get up four" will always hold true in life. Ronda Rousey falling down and getting back up is a literal image of what that expression means.

Whether or not your expectations of yourself are as high as Ronda's you should know that you will fail at times throughout life (it's inevitable) and that okay. It's okay to ask for help, it's okay to take it easy, and it IS okay to not be okay. Life will always sort itself out in the end and you WILL feel better. Ronda will still continue to fight and actually wants Holm to win so she can rematch her. She is representing how important it is to face your loses and to have the ability to bounce back after a loss. Ronda said it best, "maybe just winning all the time isn't best for everybody." Coming from a small town where suicide rates are high, I know first hand that what she said isn't something to be joked about. Rousey is showing the world that even the best in the world mess up. Things won't always go your way but, you can overcome them because real winners get knocked down and then get back up.

Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255