My Fight / Your Fight

Touching story of using obstacles to overcome and achieve your dreams, mixed with heartache and humor.

My Fight/Your Fight is an inspiring, page turning, and meaningful modern masterpiece. Regardless of whether or not you are a fan of MMA in general or Ronda Rousey in particular, this book is a voice that demands to be heard.This book is incredibly well written (by journalist Maria Burns Ortiz - Rousey's sister) in a series of very effective short chapters. This is no puff piece, this is no "how great thou art", no simple rehash of facts you likely already know. You get real insight into what makes this clock tick. She was a baby that almost did not survive her own birth. She was a little girl whose mouth could not utter what her mind told it to say, and there was no guarantee that it ever would. You will find out the meaning of 'Balgrin' and you will never forget it.The world of sports, like the society it entertains, is rampant with misogyny, sexism, and deeply entrenched gender bias. There is a legion of athletes in history who refused to keep what they were told was their place. Althea Gibson, Katherine Switzer, Billie Jean King, Mildred Burke, and Amy Dumas just to name a few. Ronda Rousey along with Gina Carano, Cat Zingano, Miesha Tate, and scores of others similarly refused to accept second class citizenship. There have been excellent women MMA fighters since the inception of the sport, this has continued as the sport evolved. Dana White only recently allowed any of them to compete in his company. He did not do it because they deserved it (and they did), he did not do it as a magnanimous, humanist gesture of equality. No, he (correctly) saw dollar signs in Ronda Rousey. As expected Rousey exceeded expectation. She has proven indubitably that he made the right move. She has proven a fact that society repeatedly wants to forget. The fact that courage, temerity and toughness are not gender traits exclusive to men, they are human traits.Ronda Rousey would not accept being a second class citizen, she would not accept "you can't". Her story is unique but the themes of struggle, perseverance and temerity are universal and well told. You will not read a better book this year, because it truly takes you inside the life and mind a most extraordinary machine.

What is remarkable here is that Rousey is able to inspire in this book without trying to be infallible or the plastic, squeaky clean role model in her personal life that the American media usually demands. This is more impressive and more compelling because it is real and sincerely felt. She is undefeated in the ring, but clearly life has given her several humbling experiences out of the ring that help define her and give her perspective. It's the lessons of those low times she carries into the ring with her, the value of her family, the fierce hunger to succeed, the humility to know that she is not infallible and has to guard against mistakes both in and out of the ring. I gave this book to both of my sons in university, just as a reminder to dream big, to pursue their dreams and passions, however improbable, with fierce focus and not to put limitations onto their expectations in life. Obviously Rousey is a very rare individual and cannot be directly replicated. One flaw here is that she does not speak of the importance of her natural talent, where it is a key factor in her success. But her focus, her will to succeed and her level-headed approach to life make her a very compelling and worthy character on the public stage today, beyond the fact that she is changing the way people perceive and treat women, changing how they perceive themselves and what they expect from themselves. I admire her for the struggle and believe we will hear a lot from this woman well beyond her fighting years. This is what a real champion is made of.

UFC President Dana White has said that the more famous RR gets, the nicer she becomes. I wanted something to support that because I like when people at the top of their game are good people. This book was a good, easily consumed insight into RR. Since the time I saw her on the show she did leading up to a fight (where it bugged me how it was done, no fault of RR, now I know that for certain), to how she hugged Cat Zingano after beating her (wow, what was the story there...), to the pictures of her on Instagram with her dog or one of her sister's kids, I just wanted to know more about Ronda. I like her a lot. There is something mystical about the people who are wired so differently than the rest of us, there is something so extraordinary about people like RR that we just can't help but wonder and admire what she does and how she does it. One of my favorite parts of the book was that she lets you into her inner voice, the monologue in her head, toward her opponents or other. In that way, at least for me, I can relate to her.No superficial cliches about how my daughters have gotten on the mat because of Ronda (though one of them has), or about how Ronda is the face of female empowerment--she seems immune to people's attempts to use her as a poster child for anything. What she has done she has unapologetically done for herself, seeking something bigger, and she is practical in discussing but not obnoxious about opening up the UFC for women.Her humility is huge in her appeal. She's the hardest worker and so unwavering in her self-confidence-- the look on her face as she walks to the cage, I mean, come on--you just can't help but watch and appreciate that.Anyone with that work ethic, mental toughness paired with a do-good approach, and the fact that she's an awesome doggie mama--so happy I read this because I just love her more now.

I loved how Ronda shared her struggles so openly, yet remained unapologetic about her need to succeed, to win! Although I am not a fighter, her journey is incredibly relatable as we all have our own mountains to climb. Her voice of determination and self-belief echoes in my head throughout the day.I recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting, action-packed story that provides a shot of self-belief and inspiration for making their own dreams happen.

I knew that Ronda was a legend, she's one of my all-time favourite fighters. But this book showcased what it takes to become a legend; the sacrifice and dedication it takes to become an elite athlete and top performer is nothing but awe-inspiring. You can learn about her history with a quick Google search, but hearing it (well, reading it) directly from her is something completely different. I highly recommend you get this book.

Apasionante e imprescindible para cualquier amante de los deportes de contacto. Tiene también una orientación tipo auto ayuda, con algunas perlas de sabiduría al principio de cada capitulo extraídas a partir de su experiencia vital , así que que aunque no seas aficionado a los deportes de contacto, dale una oportunidad. La vida de esta mujer ha sido apasionante.Los capítulos no son muy largos y se lee muy bien.Ojo los aficionados al Judo. ( Yo no lo soy y esto la verdad me sorprendió ) Se os va a hinchar el pecho de orgullo cuando veáis como Ronda encumbró al Judo como un arte marcial a tener muy en cuenta en las MMA. :-)

Arrived in good condition, the content itself was very interesting. I did not know of her past, I had pretty much known the trouble it was to get to the top and love her or hate her, I did not expect most people around her to not be that understanding about a lot of things, I am glad she is in a better place now and this book shows that the "arrogance" people attack her for but praise in men is actually part of a sport fighter's fuel especially in entertainment regardless of sex and should not be seen as something bad or annoying in a woman if you wouldn't find the same in a man. That said, it is not always the most sure of themselves that win the fight, and that she has now managed to be happy when fighting and let go of some hurt and anger and feel good for longer than just the win, I feel good for her.

I expected the best book I've ever read and it totally was.