I just keep my eyes open and focus on the things I'm not good at and what makes other people better than me - technique and things outside the Octagon.
Jon JonesRead
I want to take this time to thank Daniel Cormier for being my biggest rival and motivator. He has absolutely no reason to hang his head. He has been a model champion, a model husband, a model father, a teammate, a leader, and I aspire to be a lot more like that man, because he's an amazing human being.
Interpretation
Expressing gratitude towards a rival can inspire personal growth and encourage respect in competition.
In this quote, Jon Jones acknowledges Daniel Cormier as not just a rival, but a significant motivator and exemplary figure in various aspects of life. By emphasizing Cormier's qualities as a champion, husband, father, and leader, Jones highlights the importance of respect and admiration in competitive relationships, suggesting that rivals can also serve as sources of inspiration and aspirational role models.
In practice
During a keynote speech on sportsmanship at a conference.
I just keep my eyes open and focus on the things I'm not good at and what makes other people better than me - technique and things outside the Octagon.
Fighting is not what I do - it's who I am. It's what I was meant to do, what I was meant to be. I knew that right after my first MMA practice.
My wrestling dream was to become a Division I national champion. That was my No. 1 dream - not Olympics, not money. Just winning that tournament.
Peace is one of the greatest gifts we can leave our children.
Sometimes my body is aching, but I always think, 'Why am I in this? Why do I love it so much?' That's what makes me persevere, that's what makes me keep on going.
Never measure the height of a mountain until you have reached the top. Then you will see how low it was.
It's about doing something larger than yourself. It's about serving this world, helping others.
For years, I always thought it was hilarious that I was this fitness guru, because fitness was just a tool I utilized to help people improve their confidence. For me, it's never been about fitness. It's always been about helping to empower people.
I remember as a kid watching one of the Olympic games, and I was cheering for a big track athlete. He was the favorite to win, and he lost. I realized in that moment the pain he felt was so much greater than the pain that those who never thought they were going to win would have felt had they lost.
When I have reached a summit, I leave it with great reluctance, unless it is to reach for another, higher one.
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