Ronda Rousey is arguably the most famous woman mixed martial artist of all-time. Former Elite XC champion Carano paved the way, but Rousey took the sport to another level for women.

She is the reason Dana White gave women a chance in the UFC and was one of the promotion’s biggest PPV stars. She transitioned into worldwide success in movies and in 2015 was the fourth most searched person in the world on Google.

Although she lost her title to Holly Holm in August of last year and has been out of the spotlight since, behind the scenes Rousey is still working. She recently penned an editorial for the website Refinery 29, which took aim at the idea of a perfect woman in today’s society:

When we worry about perfection, our bigger goals are sacrificed. We can’t look up, work hard and kick ass. But having the confidence to ignore the perfection around us can be difficult.

When I was growing up in North Dakota, before my family moved to Los Angeles, I was a tomboy. I wore jeans and a white T-shirt, but not the sexy kind. I wore it because I loved to run, jump, and play. Dresses got in the way of that.

Then we moved to L.A., where I was a complete outsider. I went to a predominantly Spanish-speaking school, and never really fit in. My confidence sank faster than I care to admit.

And like most girls, although women rarely talk about it, these feelings came to a boiling point when I stood in front of the mirror, looked at my changing body that I didn’t really recognize anymore, and cried.

I wasn’t perfect, and I didn’t like it.

That’s when I found judo.

source: refinery29.com

Rousey has made it a point to promote a positive body image for young woman and be a role model to all those who look up to her. Having appeared on several high profile magazines, Rousey has even made it a point to stay a bit heavier to not be portrayed as too skinny and show other women and girls that all sizes are beautiful.

We applaud her message.