4 Lessons Learned From Former UFC Champion Randy Couture

After watching former UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture compete on Saturday I must admit that I was impressed. In fact I started thinking about how Couture can be used a motivational tool for others digging for tips on how to get through challenges.

Some of you may argue that Randy Couture is washed up and past his prime. All I have to to say to that is that the man is still a main eventer and is earning millions of dollars in a sport full of hungry young men. Today I will be taking a look at 4 lessons you can learn from Randy Couture and apply to your own life:

Randy Couture does not let his age hold him back

If you are a returning college student or an adult pursuing continuing college education then Randy Couture should inspire you. No matter what your age is you can still compete at a high level with competitors of all ages. Sure if you return to college as a mature student, most of the students will be younger, but they won’t be wiser. If you are a heavy smoker at age 30 don’t let yourself think that it would be impossible to quit after so many years. Difficult yes, but not impossible. Never let your age hold you back from reaching your goals.

Randy Couture realizes that he needs to work harder

Mixed Martial Arts training is no simple task. Earning an Undergraduate Degree is no simple task either. Continuing your education to pursue a Master’s Degree is one of the greatest challenges. Whether you want to challenge Brock Lesnar in the octagon or try to get into graduate school you will need to work hard. If you have any setbacks (age, IQ, lack of experience, new student) then you’re just going to have to work harder. You’re going to have to be the first one in class and the last one to leave.

There is no challenge too difficult for us to try

Randy Couture won his fight over a much heavier and much taller Tim Sylvia. Did I mention he was 44 years old for that fight? Who says you can’t get an A in Finance class? Why can’t you quit smoking once and for all? So what if you’re grades in college weren’t the highest? If you study hard and prepare well in advance for the GMAT or LSAT you can still get into the graduate program you really want to be accepted into.

There is no shame in failure

Randy Couture lost his fight to the super heavyweight Brock Lesnar. He recently lost his fight to Antonie Nogueira via unanimous decision. Oh and yea he was 13 years younger than both competitors. Despite losing both fights he still remains the most popular fighter in the UFC and he has no plans of retiring. When I was in high school I never thought I would pursue my education for much longer because I didn’t have that spark. Then in college I found that spark and decided to get aggressive with my studies. You won’t be successful all of the time but as Wayne Gretzky said a few years ago, “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

Which sports star do you think of when trying to motivate yourself?

photo: felipe3425