4.56

4

Sep 08, 2015

The short review: DON'T MESS WITH RONDA ROUSEY.

The details: SERIOUSLY.

The actual review: I haven't seen a single Ronda Rousey fight. I'm scared to. I can barely handle movie fights. Given that I had to cringe-skim the descriptions of fights in this book, I'm not sure I'm up to seeing the real thing, even on a tiny computer screen with the volume on low.

So why did I want to read this book?

I've heard Rousey interviewed, and I've heard a lot of interviews about her. They all say the same thing: The short review: DON'T MESS WITH RONDA ROUSEY.

The details: SERIOUSLY.

The actual review: I haven't seen a single Ronda Rousey fight. I'm scared to. I can barely handle movie fights. Given that I had to cringe-skim the descriptions of fights in this book, I'm not sure I'm up to seeing the real thing, even on a tiny computer screen with the volume on low.

So why did I want to read this book?

I've heard Rousey interviewed, and I've heard a lot of interviews about her. They all say the same thing: she's badass. She's breaking boundaries. She never flippin' loses.

What really made me want to read her story, though, is my curiosity about her family, especially her parents. I'd heard that her dad committed suicide, and her most recent opponent was stupid enough to trash-talk about that. (Don't cry, Bethe Correia.)

(Update: Okay, I just watched the Rousey/Correia fight. It was a pretty awesome 34 seconds, not at all gory.)

Anyway. I'd also heard that Rousey's mom was a total badass. In an interview with an L.A. morning radio show, Rousey mentioned breaking a toe in a judo match when she was a little kid and having her mother tell her to get back out there. I believe the phrase she used was, "You've got nine more."

Rousey sounded unruffled, even amused by this anecdote. So far as she was concerned, her mother was teaching her to be a champion rather than a loser who limps out of the ring after the first owwie.

So far as I was concerned, either her mom ought to be brought up on child abuse charges or there was something I wasn't hearing.

So when I heard Rousey had written an autobiography, I figured that was the place to go for answers.

And it was. Ronda Rousey's mom is practically the main character of My Fight. She's arguably the most entertaining, sympathetic, and inspiring one.

The toe anecdote is much more nuanced than that interview led me to believe. For one thing, it happened at a practice, not during a match. For another – well, let me let Ronda tell this part:

When I was twelve years old we were at practice when one of my teammates twisted her ankle. She limped off the mat, and both of her parents descended upon her in concern. Her dad rushed out to their car, returning with a pillow. With her mom massaging her shoulders, my teammate sat with her foot propped up. Less than twenty minutes later, I jammed my foot doing randori, the judo version of sparring. I limped over to my mom, who was running the practice.

"I hurt my toe," I said. "I think it's broken."

"It's a toe," she said dismissively.

"But it hurts," I said, crying. "Do you have a pillow for me?"

My mom looked at me like I had lost my mind.

P.S. Ronda didn't get the pillow. Instead, she got to run laps. Because mean mommy. Or maybe because:

"You know why I did that?" my mom asked.

"Because you hate me."

"No, it was to show you that you could do it," my mom said. "If you want to win the way you say you do, you need to be able to compete, even when you're in pain. You need to be able to push through. Now you know you can."

Ronda's mom, AnnMaria De Mars, was a judo champ herself – the first U.S. competitor (of EITHER sex) ever to win at the World Judo Championships. She knew what it takes to be, quite literally, a world-class competitor. And she knew how much her daughter wanted to be such a competitor.

And guess what? There's no comfy pillow on that ride. Sorry, Ronda.

But if you work your hardest and earn her respect, that badass mom will be there for you all the way.

If you get hurt during a match, she'll let you sulk around the house for a week after your knee surgery, and then she'll make you get off your ass and stop feeling sorry for yourself:

"Didn't you hear the doctor?" I snapped. "I'm not supposed to overdo it with my knee."

"Yeah, well, what about your other leg?" she asked, rhetorically. "Do some leg lifts. What about your abs? Last time I checked sit-ups didn't involve knees. Do some curls. Those involve arms, which last time I checked are not knees."

If you plan to fight in a particular tournament but you show up in the wrong city weighing the "wrong" amount, you can call this badass mom in the middle of the night and wake her from a sound sleep and she'll tell you exactly what you need to do, including who to call and what to say:

"Tell Valerie to go to the coach's meeting tonight and move you up to seventy kilos. Linz is not that far from Vienna. You are going to go to the airport in the morning and get a ticket. You will go to the tournament, and everything will be fine."

"But they'll all be bigger than me," I said, still crying.

"Well, no, apparently, they'll all be seventy kilos, which is what you are now," my mom said. "You might feel like this is a terrible thing, but this isn't the worst thing that could happen. You've been in the top ten at sixty-three kilos for years, so all these girls are training for you. Nobody at seventy kilos is expecting you. Just go out and fight. There are no expectations."

And when you medal at the Olympics, this mom will wave the American flag that had been put on your dad's coffin, and then you'll go on to write about it and make your readers cry. In a good way.

My Fight/Your Fight is a fun, fast, engaging read. There are a lot of photos, but they don't feel like filler. There are also a lot of memorable moments, both from Rousey's professional life and her personal one.

Practical tip for men: If you're lucky enough to date Ronda Rousey, do right by her. She forgives mistakes because she's made plenty of her own. She forgave a boyfriend for stealing her wallet and her car, because he brought them both back and then he went into rehab the next day.

However, cheating on her is not a "mistake." Neither is taking pictures of her naked body without her knowledge or consent and downloading them onto your computer. If you do either of those and you're lucky, all you'll get is a chapter in her autobiography and a really humiliating pseudonym. If, however, you're under the illusion that those naked pictures could be explained away, and you try to physically force her to stay and hear your side of the story, you'll learn what it's like to fight Ronda Rousey and you won't even have a shot at a medal and some prize money.

One aspect of this book I particularly appreciated is the dollars and cents. For a long time, Rousey was the kind of broke that seems harder to survive than 10 rounds in the Octagon.

I was touched when she talked about finally landing a Strikeforce fight. Those paid a lot more than what she'd been making, and she was ecstatic. She was also shopping at Rite Aid when she got the call, and decided she could finally afford to splurge. So what did she get?

An electric toothbrush. Expensive whitening toothpaste. Eyeliner. Nail polish. I didn't even know how to put nail polish on, but I threw it in with everything else. I grabbed the nice, soft toilet paper.

I've never lived as mean as Ronda's had to, but I still have times when I have to wait until payday to buy a jar of instant coffee, and I'm still buying the cheap t.p.

There were other places I found it surprisingly easy to relate to Rousey's life. She talks in this book about struggling with an eating disorder, a depressingly natural consequence of spending her life trying to attain an unnaturally low weight:

Virtually no athlete competes in a division that is actually their weight. Most athletes walk around considerably heavier than competition weight in daily life. In the UFC, I fight at 135 pounds – and for about four hours a year, I weigh 135 pounds. My actual weight is closer to 150.

"Making weight" – that is, being the weight you want to compete at when you step on the scale at the official weigh-in before a fight – may be something that, as Rousey says, all fighters struggle with. But it strikes me as an awful lot like the pressure that's on women to be slim even if that means running around feeling hungry all the time, which is something else Ronda describes that I can relate to.

It was a relief when, later in the book, she got some help – not from a therapist, but from a man who works with lots of fighters as a nutritionist:

When I started working with [Mike] Dolce, I felt guilty for being so full all the time. Then one day, it clicked: Oh, I'm supposed to be full. For a long time, the feeling of being full and the feeling of guilt were synonymous to me.

(Second update: I just watched another fight. The clip was included in a Jimmy Kimmel interview on YouTube. This was the 14-second fight, whichever one that is. It turns out that watching Ronda Rousey do her magic is easier than reading about it, because you can't tell by watching that she dislocates elbows with that arm bar. It just looks amazing. Also, I now have an official crush on Rousey's arms.)

As I was reading this book, southern California was (and still is) suffering from a brutal heat wave. I don't have air conditioning, and I live in an uninsulated second-floor apartment. Even after leaving all possible windows and blinds open all night long, the temperature in my bedroom has been 80+ degrees at 6 in the morning, and it's depressing to watch it climb steadily upward as the day progresses.

My family thinks I'm nuts – possibly dangerously so – for continuing to work out in this heat. I did give in and cut way down on jogging; but on what would have been running days, I swapped in a rigorous indoor workout, including a three-day-a-week triceps challenge. (Hey, our living room has a decent standing fan. It's amazing how cool its blast can feel when you work up a really big sweat, which isn't difficult at all lately.)

Ordinarily I would have felt more than justified in taking a day or two off until the temperature learned to behave itself. I have a tendency to get medically dehydrated, and that's no fun at all. I'm just getting over a fun bout of that. (My lips were burning for days. Even putting Chapstick on hurt. Woohoo!)

But this week, I just couldn't give myself that break. Every time I started to feel tempted to go back to bed and skip the workout, or just sit around sipping iced beverages all day, I'd remember Ronda Rousey. Or rather, I'd remember her mother:

Growing up, Mom hammered into me how much harder champions worked than anyone else. When I complained about going to practice or when I hit the snooze on the alarm instead of getting up to go running, my mom would say casually, "I bet [whoever my archrival at the time happened to be] is training right now."

She had me stay after practice and work on drills. Whenever I pointed out that no one else's mother made them stay, she simply informed me, "Champions always do more."

Exasperated, I whined, "Mom, I've been here for an extra fifteen minutes. Everybody's already left. I've already done more."

She simply told me, "Champions do more than people who think that they've done more."

(Final update: Just watched Ronda Rousey demonstrate the armbar on Jimmy Fallon. I've never seen a grown man so terrified in my life. Makes me want to give ju-jitsu another shot – I loved how surprised guys were when I was a bitsy little 16-year-old and could slam them down on the mat without breaking a sweat. I should start taking classes again, when I can afford to. For now, I think I'll shop around online and see if I can find a "WWRRD" bracelet.) ...more

5

May 15, 2015

My son, daughter and I are huge Rousey fans and I pre-ordered this book after my fifteen-year-old daughter BEGGED me to buy it for her. She was super excited when it came in. I can't get her to read much of anything (she won't even read my own books), but she hasn't taken her face out of MY FIGHT / YOUR FIGHT and she brings it everywhere we go. I'll be driving and trying to listen to my country music, but she's sitting there reading the book out loud. I enjoy it so much, I turn off the radio and My son, daughter and I are huge Rousey fans and I pre-ordered this book after my fifteen-year-old daughter BEGGED me to buy it for her. She was super excited when it came in. I can't get her to read much of anything (she won't even read my own books), but she hasn't taken her face out of MY FIGHT / YOUR FIGHT and she brings it everywhere we go. I'll be driving and trying to listen to my country music, but she's sitting there reading the book out loud. I enjoy it so much, I turn off the radio and listen. It's a good book about life. Very inspirational. I'm thrilled that my daughter is reading and that she has a strong female role model to admire. Very much recommended!!! ...more

4

May 17, 2015

Four years ago, Dana White told TMZ no women would ever fight in the UFC. Now, he’s written the foreword for the most dominate athlete in the history of the UFC; his undefeated UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey.

Because, quite frankly, Ronda Rousey does not give a fuck. She not only had the ambition coming off of her 2008 Beijing Olympic bronze showing to be the best in the world, but to be so fucking great it wasn’t even a question. And it’s not.

For someone that was living Four years ago, Dana White told TMZ no women would ever fight in the UFC. Now, he’s written the foreword for the most dominate athlete in the history of the UFC; his undefeated UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey.

Because, quite frankly, Ronda Rousey does not give a fuck. She not only had the ambition coming off of her 2008 Beijing Olympic bronze showing to be the best in the world, but to be so fucking great it wasn’t even a question. And it’s not.

For someone that was living in her car working three jobs to get by shortly after bronzing in Beijing, her ascent to the top of the UFC, woman or otherwise, and her break into the mainstream in movies, television and with this book, is astonishing. But really, not altogether surprising.

Since she was six, she was learning judo from her tiger of a mom, a world champion in the sport herself. Throughout the book, these two strong personalities run up against each other, but the mom is clearly a grounding force for Ronda. Fight hurt. Fight harder. Train harder. Be harder. Do what it takes to be the best and beat the best even if you’re having an off day.

The namesake of the book is apt in this regard because Ronda, while telling her own story, is also “coaching” us, as it were, on how to fight for life. Each chapter — and they are short, easy-read chapters — begins with a little bit of that wisdom and knowledge gained over years of sweating, bleeding and crying on mats all over the world, perfecting her craft.

True to character of those that rise to the tip top of human excellence, her attitude — some would say cocky and arrogant, or more demeaning, “bitchy,” — rubs people the wrong way. But when someone is “in the moment” propelled by that type of drive and ambition, they aren’t there to play nice. They’re there to fight and win and then some. For instance, true to their rivalry, Ronda clearly does not like Miesha Tate.

The book excels at two polar opposite characterizations of Ronda Rousey: First, at exploring the mind of an elite, world-class athlete and fighter — not just what it takes to win once you’re inside the Octagon, but what it takes to make it to the Octagon as a fighter and a person — including the doubters; those that didn’t venturing into MMA was smart. Secondly, Ronda, through talking about her stumbling love life, one with a boyfriend that was a heroin addict and one with a boyfriend she not so affectionately refers to as Dick IttBitty in the book, and her struggles with bulimia, mostly when trying to make weight, serve to make her more human, to bring her down to our level.

And besides, the writing itself, even though it was co-authored by her sister, Maria Burns Ortiz, has markings of Ronda’s playful goofiness and at other times, her unrelenting, unabashed sentiment toward other fighters or situations.

If you’re a fan of the sport, a fan of hers, a fan of sports, a fan of journey stories, then this is a fun and enlightening read for you. Reading many of the bits of wisdom before each chapter and then how Ronda turned that into a reality for success, it makes you want to go run up a mountain and take life by the balls.

But for now, I’ll settle in with some more coffee and marvel at the wonder that is Ronda Rousey. ...more

4

Nov 04, 2015

"People talk about how I'm so arrogant. They don't realize how much work went into getting where I am. I worked so hard to be able to think highly of myself. When people say 'Oh, you're so cocky. You're so arrogant.' I feel like they're telling me that I think too highly of myself. My question for them is: 'Who are you to tell me that I need to think less of myself?' Just because you don't think that you could be the best in the world doesn't mean that I shouldn't have the confidence to believe "People talk about how I'm so arrogant. They don't realize how much work went into getting where I am. I worked so hard to be able to think highly of myself. When people say 'Oh, you're so cocky. You're so arrogant.' I feel like they're telling me that I think too highly of myself. My question for them is: 'Who are you to tell me that I need to think less of myself?' Just because you don't think that you could be the best in the world doesn't mean that I shouldn't have the confidence to believe I can do anything."

Ronda Rousey isn't shy about telling you how awesome she is in this book. For a minute I thought I was put off by it, but then I got to that quote and realized, you're damn right Ronda. I didn't know much about Ronda and her journey to the top besides the obvious fact that she must be a badass. It was interesting reading about her struggles, triumphs and attitude about life. Her tone may be off putting to some people but I must say I found it kind of refreshing. Get 'em girl. ...more

3

Nov 17, 2015

There's an old saying that goes something like: "If you want to hear the gods laugh, tell them what your plans are". By tweaking that a bit, we can apply it to Ronda: "If you want to hear the gods laugh, tell them how great you are". I have no doubt that this autobiography was the source of much hilarity to whatever gods may be.

As an athlete, Ronda Rousey has my full respect. She strained and starved and sweated her way to a world championship in Judo as well as a bronze Olympic medal in that There's an old saying that goes something like: "If you want to hear the gods laugh, tell them what your plans are". By tweaking that a bit, we can apply it to Ronda: "If you want to hear the gods laugh, tell them how great you are". I have no doubt that this autobiography was the source of much hilarity to whatever gods may be.

As an athlete, Ronda Rousey has my full respect. She strained and starved and sweated her way to a world championship in Judo as well as a bronze Olympic medal in that same sport. My lazy ass is in awe of her work ethic and her ability to endure through pain and deprivation. As a human being, I am less than impressed with her. It's one thing to be at the top of your game, but quite another to hold your opponents in contempt.

The fighting industry has stooped to new lows by permitting...nay, encouraging boorish behaviour by fighters before and during fights. Hulking tattooed monsters glare at each other and utter threats in monosyllables in an attempt to work up interest in the fight. How different from the days when a couple of boxers would shake hands in gentlemanly fashion and speak of their opponent in complimentary terms! Ronda has bought into the new way of doing things, often refusing to touch gloves before the round or shake hands with her defeated opponent. And the way she talks about them..."bitch" being an appellation commonly used! Interestingly, in her book when Rousey describes how she was looking for a female dog in a litter, she states that she wants a "girl" dog, thereby passing up her only chance to put the word "bitch" to legitimate use.

Read the book. You will learn that when Rousey wins, it is because she is so friggin' great. When she loses, it is not the result of being bested...often the referee called it wrong or some other such bullshit was the cause. I could write quotes, but why? Suffice it to say I'm not all that fond of the writer, and it makes it hard to assess the book. I will give you a quote from page 300:

Above all, there is the indisputable knowledge that I am the greatest in my role in the history of the world.

That brings me back to the gods...in Rousey's very next fight, almost before the ink was dry on her book, she had her ass handed to her by Holly Holm in the second round of a championship bout. I wonder what changes she would make to the book if she were to re-write it at this point? Ronda won't have to worry about making a living, though; she is a smokin' hot bit of stuff with several movies and who knows how many endorsements under her belt. Possibly she'll have a little humility tucked in there as well, courtesy of Holly Holm. ...more

5

Aug 16, 2015

I have never been so inspired by a memoir, and so awestruck by another human being. To say Ronda Rousey is my hero is an understatement. She is an impeccable human being, and completely unapologetic about it. In a world that attempts to limit and stifle, Rousey gives it the finger. In a society where woman are constantly undervalued, questioned, and brushed off, she refuses to be ignored. She will never say she is sorry because she isn't. If you do not like who she is, get out of her ring. I can I have never been so inspired by a memoir, and so awestruck by another human being. To say Ronda Rousey is my hero is an understatement. She is an impeccable human being, and completely unapologetic about it. In a world that attempts to limit and stifle, Rousey gives it the finger. In a society where woman are constantly undervalued, questioned, and brushed off, she refuses to be ignored. She will never say she is sorry because she isn't. If you do not like who she is, get out of her ring. I can only hope to be a fraction of the amazing woman she is someday.
One quote in particular stood out to me. In the chapter titled "When do you cross the magical boundary that stops you from dreaming big?" she wrote...
"People talk about how I'm so arrogant. They don't realize how much work went into getting where I am. I worked so hard to be able to think highly of myself. When people say 'Oh you're so cocky. You're so arrogant.' I feel like they're telling me that I think too highly of myself. My question for them is: 'Who are you to tell me that I need to think less of myself?'"
No one has the power to make you feel devalued, except for you. My life has been a constant struggle of telling myself I am worth the things I want. I am an amazing, capable, and independant person. Anyone who tells me to be less can get bent. Who are you to tell me I need to think less of myself? ...more

5

November 23, 2015

I would recommend this book. The advice on what it takes to be a winner at something is displayed in a way i have yet to have seen or heard of. I seek advice on how to win at stuff as a professional poker player because in my profession losses are part of the terrain. I can lose a pot. I can los...Full Review

2

Jun 05, 2015

Disappointing in that the book is focused too much on gossip and dialogue of past "slights" and grievances perceived by Rousey. It does do a good job of highlighting just how driven she is, but for the most part the book reveals what we pretty much already knew: Rousey is a tremendously gifted athlete and wears her emotions on her sleeve.

Compared to the Georges St. Pierre biography, where he takes a much more philosophical and nuanced look at life, relationships, and what it means to be a Disappointing in that the book is focused too much on gossip and dialogue of past "slights" and grievances perceived by Rousey. It does do a good job of highlighting just how driven she is, but for the most part the book reveals what we pretty much already knew: Rousey is a tremendously gifted athlete and wears her emotions on her sleeve.

Compared to the Georges St. Pierre biography, where he takes a much more philosophical and nuanced look at life, relationships, and what it means to be a martial artist; this book comes off as the very thing that Rousey claims to despise: a reality-show personality project.

Written by Rousey's sister, this book is much too "us against the world", lacking the deep questions of a GSP bio or the neutrality of a Steve Jobs type book where the writer is not afraid to paint the subject in a sometimes negative light.

...more

2

May 13, 2015

Not so much an autobiography as an extended podcast interview, this book is nonetheless an interesting portrait of a, incredibly dynamic personality. This would be a great read for either an aspiring athlete, who wants to know what his/her priorities should be in training, or someone who is experiencing career setbacks.

5

Jan 03, 2017

Great book. Yes I am Ronda Rousey fan. I like her tell it like it she sees it attitude. This makes her a polerising figure. If you don't like what she said she does not care. If you don't know who Ronda Rousey is you must be living under a rock. This is an honest account of life so far. This book is written with her same laser focus to be the best at whatever she does.Dana said it best the only complaint about this book is Ronda is still so young she has not even peaked yet in her career yet, it Great book. Yes I am Ronda Rousey fan. I like her tell it like it she sees it attitude. This makes her a polerising figure. If you don't like what she said she does not care. If you don't know who Ronda Rousey is you must be living under a rock. This is an honest account of life so far. This book is written with her same laser focus to be the best at whatever she does.Dana said it best the only complaint about this book is Ronda is still so young she has not even peaked yet in her career yet, it is just that she has done so many amazing thing so far.

The book is well written. Each chapter is name after one of the principles from her warrior code most of which were quotes and principles installed in her by her mother. Every chapter then starts with a short paragraph of Ronda explaining this quote/principle then the carries on with the story. This give the book a part feel of a self help book. Sort of like GSP's book but done slightly better.

Ronda shows the difference between potential and the physical, mental, and sacrifices necessary to achieve greatness. To some she might come across as arrogant but this type of self belief is a necessary component in achieving ones dreams. How can you expect others to believe in you if you do not believe in yourself.

I really like the way the book is written not from the point of view of not trying to garner sympathy, but to get the reader to understand the sacrifices and work put in to achievements. She names all her competitors and rivals and is not shy about giving her opinion about them, but in her personal life her former boyfriends name are omitted and replaced with her name for them.

The is a short chapter on Ronda's season on the Ultimate Fighter against Meisha Tate. Watching this season Ronda did not come across well in the season partly because of the editing and behind the scenes stuff going on. I agree with Ronda this seemed to be a bit of an ambush, the UFC admitted as much when before the season finale the released a re-cap episode that had the full conversations and back story that led to Ronda getting upset and into arguments. If you saw her mother in this series as well I bet like me you could believe everything written (nothing derogatory) about her. If the is one woman harder the Ronda it is her.

The other great thing about this book is Ronda does not try to sugar coat or gloss over her own bad decisions. She accepts them as her own, and learns from the. A great book, about a great athlete who has done as much for woman's MMA as the UFC has done for MMA in general. The physchal demand and are great but it is the mental aspects that are needed to succeed. A great book for anyone who ever dreamed of being a world champion (the is everyone at some point). ...more

5

November 12, 2015

Good read, exemplary lady: at times heart breaking and at times funny, she's certainly won me over to her corner. Her voice is courageous and I'm sure would motivate anyreader to fight through life with a new resolve.

5

May 30, 2015

Ronda Rousey and Maria Burns Ortiz make an excellent writing team. The writing is uplifting and positive, with lessons applicable to everyone in everyday life.

The format is clean and simple. Each chapter starts with a moral, lesson or message that is then expanded with Rousey’s real life experiences. This is a brilliant way to present material that, in this genre, has can be overdone and overloaded with facts and statistics. As a general reader who is interested in the person behind the legend, Ronda Rousey and Maria Burns Ortiz make an excellent writing team. The writing is uplifting and positive, with lessons applicable to everyone in everyday life.

The format is clean and simple. Each chapter starts with a moral, lesson or message that is then expanded with Rousey’s real life experiences. This is a brilliant way to present material that, in this genre, has can be overdone and overloaded with facts and statistics. As a general reader who is interested in the person behind the legend, I don’t concentrate on days, times and match results and find them distracting to the story. Rousey and Burns Ortiz create a good balance with family and sport stories that keep the reader fascinated.

While some of the prose reads like a diary, and can be lacklustre, it gives the reader a peek into Rousey’s life outside of the ring. Not all of her life has been sensational, overdone by Hollywood, and the reader needs to remember that. She did start off as a young girl with a dream.

Rousey sets the bar high for all of us. “If you can’t dream big, ridiculous dreams, what’s the point in dreaming at all?” Exactly. With guided action and belief in oneself, all big dreams are absolutely attainable.

My favorite line in this book is in the Thank You section. Rousey’s last thank you is “… to every asshole who motivates me to succeed out of spite.” I would love to see these inspirational sayings on a Ronda Rousey calendar, mat or other empowering products.

-- Tofts Reviews ...more

1

Aug 28, 2017

I started this autobiography quite liking Ronda Rousey and by the end of the book I thought she was a total bellend. She dealt with some hardships in her younger days, but it seemed like 90% of the difficulties in her adult life were of her own making.

Boring, repetitive, super intensely aggressive - just take some responsibility for your shit and you won't feel like the entire world is against you.

3

Aug 27, 2015

I knew a fair bit about Ronda Rousey because I live with someone borderline-obsessed with MMA. In fact, we have the Rousey-McMann fight poster on the wall in our living room. I read this to get a better feel for her as a person, because her persona is very easy to dislike: she's the best in the world, but she's also the first person to announce it. She seems to have some measure of contempt for other women, not just her competitors but most women (see her "DNB" comments) who are not Olympians.

I I knew a fair bit about Ronda Rousey because I live with someone borderline-obsessed with MMA. In fact, we have the Rousey-McMann fight poster on the wall in our living room. I read this to get a better feel for her as a person, because her persona is very easy to dislike: she's the best in the world, but she's also the first person to announce it. She seems to have some measure of contempt for other women, not just her competitors but most women (see her "DNB" comments) who are not Olympians.

I ended up learning a lot about her, and although she's still arrogant and not exactly likable, I do now find her understandable. She has had a lot of bad breaks in her life -- she almost died at birth and didn't speak until she was 3, and not intelligibly until later. Her father broke his back in a freak accident and then killed himself when he was told he'd eventually be a quadriplegic. She battled bulimia while she was studying judo. She moved across the country alone to live with her coach in Buffalo when she was 16. So, it was not easy to be Ronda Rousey, is the general point here.

I ran up against the same problem I had Phil Jackson's memoir -- by her telling everyone who ever beat her on the mat cheated, or the refs were wrong/stupid, and she always should have won. Okay, that's not particularly believable or, more to the point, admirable. Still, her Olympic and MMA journeys were interesting, but on the other hand her personal life was kind of a mess. I had to keep reminding myself that she was dating these incredible losers when she was very young, and that it shouldn't necessarily reflect on her decision-making abilities as an adult. I will say fully disbelieve her "I've always wanted to act" position -- I think it's just a cash grab and she should own that.

One of her sisters is a journalist and served as her co-author, so that's neat. ...more

4

Aug 06, 2015

Part (only) One: The non-gushy review of why Ronda Rousey deserves an autobiography:

I first started following Ronda a few years back after an interview with Gina Carano singing her praises. What she has done for female athletics is huge and cannot be denied.

The title would indicate that this is maybe a motivation book. I wouldn't go that far. Every chapter begins with a paragraph of some little motivational tidbit, but its more set-up for the topic of each chapter. You are not directly motivated Part (only) One: The non-gushy review of why Ronda Rousey deserves an autobiography:

I first started following Ronda a few years back after an interview with Gina Carano singing her praises. What she has done for female athletics is huge and cannot be denied.

The title would indicate that this is maybe a motivation book. I wouldn't go that far. Every chapter begins with a paragraph of some little motivational tidbit, but its more set-up for the topic of each chapter. You are not directly motivated by Ronda Rousey, you are motivated by her life and journey. Some may feel that Ronda is arrogant and that how she recalls the events and competitions of her life is equally arrogantly. If we are being unbiased and fair, this is not the truth. Ultimately, confidence and high self-worth is not arrogance. Arrogance is feeling you are better. Confidence is proving you are. She has the skills, and the evidence to back up what she says about how and why she does what she does. Is there some embellishment? Sure, but what autobiography doesn't in some way.

This book is for young female athletes without a strong role model. This book is for male athletes to understand what crap most of their female counterparts have to go through to get to the same places. This book is for anyone who feels powerless, even though they know they are capable of so much more.

I enjoyed it. I enjoyed understanding Ronda better then edited press interviews and media circus events. Ronda is part of a new wave of female athletes who cannot and will not be stopped. And that is a very good thing.

...more

4

May 04, 2016

As a reader with her own athletic goals, I found Ronda Rousey's words to be indispensable. Rousey and her sister, Maria Burns Ortiz, wrote an effortless narrative. Rousey's life story is down-to-earth and relatable, even though I haven't been a judoka since age 11 like her. The chapters about Rousey's father made me cry. I was riveted by the descriptions of judo training and tournaments. Much like a book I read earlier this year ( It's What I Do ), My Fight / Your Fight was yet another book that As a reader with her own athletic goals, I found Ronda Rousey's words to be indispensable. Rousey and her sister, Maria Burns Ortiz, wrote an effortless narrative. Rousey's life story is down-to-earth and relatable, even though I haven't been a judoka since age 11 like her. The chapters about Rousey's father made me cry. I was riveted by the descriptions of judo training and tournaments. Much like a book I read earlier this year ( It's What I Do ), My Fight / Your Fight was yet another book that I read exactly when I needed to read it.

"How you feel is entirely in your mind. Your mind has nothing to do with your environment. It has nothing to do with anyone around you. It is entirely your decision."

Every chapter started with an inspirational yet broad anecdote. The core of the chapters were personal and applicable to any sport. Training and competing in judo and MMA translate directly to boxing for me. Basically, Ronda Rousey works her ass off. She makes me want to work my ass off, too—and I'm certainly on my way. ...more

5

Jan 22, 2015

Ronda Rousey is one of my favorite MMA fighters, but after reading her story of struggling and loss on her way to superstardom I have a new found respect for her as well. She had a lot of ups and downs in her life and career. I'd say more downs than ups. She has the will to do anything and she has chosen to share her gift of MMA with us all. Her passion for whatever she is doing is second to none. She strives to be the best and accepts nothing less. That is what lead her to a Bonze medal in the Ronda Rousey is one of my favorite MMA fighters, but after reading her story of struggling and loss on her way to superstardom I have a new found respect for her as well. She had a lot of ups and downs in her life and career. I'd say more downs than ups. She has the will to do anything and she has chosen to share her gift of MMA with us all. Her passion for whatever she is doing is second to none. She strives to be the best and accepts nothing less. That is what lead her to a Bonze medal in the 2008 Olympics and what has made her a undefeated UFC Champion. Ronda has not only opened to worlds eyes to women's MMA she had transcended the sport and has become a huge celebrity. She is to be commended for her constant strides and her no nonsense attitude towards her detractors.
She is a model person and someone to look up to, not only for girls but for everyone that has struggles in their lives and have to figure out a way to over come them.
It's a great story and a must read for and MMA or sports fan. ...more

5

December 11, 2015

Inside the head of a champion. It was like hanging out with someone that is intensely passionate about something that seems hard to imagine.

4

Jul 25, 2017

This book absolutely motivated me to believe more in myself and to pursue my dreams even if I don't think I might achieve them. It's a total reflection about how to become the person you want to be and how the path you're going through sometimes will help you to go up or make you take a step back.

I'm so impressed about how an autobiography impacted me that much and how interesting and addictive it was, knowing that every aspect and situation the author went through was real and felt that way, This book absolutely motivated me to believe more in myself and to pursue my dreams even if I don't think I might achieve them. It's a total reflection about how to become the person you want to be and how the path you're going through sometimes will help you to go up or make you take a step back.

I'm so impressed about how an autobiography impacted me that much and how interesting and addictive it was, knowing that every aspect and situation the author went through was real and felt that way, giving us the chance to create a bound where we could live and experience her own story.

I recommend this book if you want to know more about this amazing woman and also if you're interested in realizing and being aware of how powerful and invincible you are. ...more

4

Jul 18, 2018

I honestly found this difficult to read after Rousey's recent losses, she was so dominant in her field and she knew she was. She's a trailblazer for women's UFC and I really respect her, and her success.

5

May 13, 2015

When I was young, it was my grandfather who got me into MMA. On the many weekends where my grandparents would take me to spare me from my parents fighting endlessly, my grandmother would go to bed early and we'd stay up 'til all hours. Armed with the chocolate bars he kept in the crisper, we'd flip channels, watching everything from boxing to judo to early MMA and UFC.

If my grandfather -- a black belt in judo who'd done local competitions -- had the option, he would always choose female fighters When I was young, it was my grandfather who got me into MMA. On the many weekends where my grandparents would take me to spare me from my parents fighting endlessly, my grandmother would go to bed early and we'd stay up 'til all hours. Armed with the chocolate bars he kept in the crisper, we'd flip channels, watching everything from boxing to judo to early MMA and UFC.

If my grandfather -- a black belt in judo who'd done local competitions -- had the option, he would always choose female fighters for our entertainment. "I love the women fighters because they're so technical," he'd tell me. "Because they have to try three times harder to be taken seriously."

It was my first lesson in sexism and how it played out in so many ways. It was a mantra I took to heart. I tried three times harder than anyone I knew, just to be told that I was "enough" for someone.

I wish my grandfather had lived to see Ronda Rousey dominate. He would have loved her.

I lead with this story because My Fight/Your Fight is more than a memoir. It's a guidebook of hard-earned lessons that can be extrapolated to ANY fight. Presented more as a collection of episodic moments with meaning, My Fight/Your Fight charts Rousey from birth to stardom, from mistakes to making it big in MMA. And, as my grandfather so astutely understood, it's a journey that demonstrates the many ways female athletes are underestimated, undervalued and forced to fight just that much harder for the recognition and support they deserve.

It's also a humanizing look behind the polish and sheen of The Show, as UFC calls it now. Ronda isn't afraid to call it as she sees it, admit to foolish mistakes or put her raw moments on display. In a world that already wants to slag women for being emotional, Ronda shouts, "Screw you, big girls cry. I cry. And?" I love that honesty about the book. It's far easier to relate to someone willing to flash their scars, their wounds and their potentially mortifying moments -- if it helps get the message across.

At times, it's easy to see Rousey as a superhuman, given her domination. What she's trying to convey in this book is that we can all be superhuman at our passions, as long as we fight for it. We're all just people, waiting for the next round to begin.

...more

5

May 29, 2015

When Ronda Rousey came on the Joe Rogan podcast in 2011, I fell a little bit in love with her. After listening to her talk and seeing some of her early fights on YouTube, I waited in anticipation for Tate vs Rousey 1. I have never really been into sports and never thought that I would enjoy MMA (mixed martial arts) or any combat sports. However, since Tate vs Rousey 1, I was able to find the beauty in the technique and skill of these elite athletes. 4 years later, I now train similarly to these When Ronda Rousey came on the Joe Rogan podcast in 2011, I fell a little bit in love with her. After listening to her talk and seeing some of her early fights on YouTube, I waited in anticipation for Tate vs Rousey 1. I have never really been into sports and never thought that I would enjoy MMA (mixed martial arts) or any combat sports. However, since Tate vs Rousey 1, I was able to find the beauty in the technique and skill of these elite athletes. 4 years later, I now train similarly to these athletes and would consider myself a "UFC Fan" - something that would have been an insult to me 5 years ago.

I credit Rousey for doing that. She captures the imagination in some way that I don't see from other athletes. This book is kind of a nuts and bolts tale of what goes in to making a person like Rousey. When she started fighting, there were no female UFC fighters or division. She is a person who can literally create her dream job when that job doesn't even exist. The book details her struggles to create a platform that would not only help her achieve her own dreams but also help generations of female fighters achieve theirs. ...more

1

Nov 27, 2016

My hopes were high going into this book. Ronda has obviously accomplished a lot in her lifetime, and she could have a compelling story...but unfortunately she seemed to focus on writing herself into the story as a victim. I did not find this story to be empowering, instead it felt like I spent hours reading the story of someone that has no clue what is going on. My impression of Ronda, based on reading this book, is that she is a spoiled brat with an inflated sense of self.

Please know that I am My hopes were high going into this book. Ronda has obviously accomplished a lot in her lifetime, and she could have a compelling story...but unfortunately she seemed to focus on writing herself into the story as a victim. I did not find this story to be empowering, instead it felt like I spent hours reading the story of someone that has no clue what is going on. My impression of Ronda, based on reading this book, is that she is a spoiled brat with an inflated sense of self.

Please know that I am not a die-hard Rousey fan, I was just interested in learning more about her story given her impressive achievements. Unfortunately, I was completely underwhelmed. ...more

5

May 18, 2015

Just great!

Could have finished this book in a couple of days but I took my time. The writing is descriptive and easy as well as heartbreaking and funny. I had every single human emotion one could hope for in a book. I loved it so much I have to read it again! Ronda to me is not only powerful but an inspiration for anyone who reads this book! Worth every cent I paid!

5

Aug 29, 2015

havent been able to get through a book this fast in what seems like forever.

rousey bleeds badassery.

such a great person who takes the role model role seriously. for a mature young female, this would be a perfect read.

shelved on my absolute faves list because i feel like i have been waiting my whole life for a woman to embrace the elite badass mentality.