Ronda Rousey: The price I paid to become a UFC champion (E261)

The High Performance Podcast

In this episode, Jake and Damian sit down with the remarkable Ronda Rousey, a professional mixed martial artist and former UFC champion, to dive into various aspects of her life and career.

Ronda Rousey became the first UFC women's champion and a judo Olympic Medalist, earning back-to-back golds at the Pan American Championships and a 2008 Olympic bronze medal. Ronda opens up about her upbringing, including the real impact of her father’s suicide when she was just eight years old.

Ronda discusses her addiction to winning and the challenges she faced in her career, particularly in navigating relationships with coaches. Offering advice to others facing similar situations, she emphasises the importance of always having a backup plan and not feeling trapped in any situation.

As the conversation unfolds, Ronda shares insights on the support she received from others, highlighting her strategy of making herself unavoidable in the media, as well as her infamous encounter with Dana White, the CEO of the UFC. She also addresses her experience with concussion symptoms, shedding light on the lack of awareness surrounding CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) during her career.

This episode delves into the depths of resilience, determination, and the transformative power of love, as Ronda Rousey shares her personal journey from tragedy to triumph.