Marlen Esparza Quotes

I try to update my arsenal constantly. Learning different martial arts since childhood. To understand what's out there. To really be in tune.

I want to be an expert in different fighting styles, new training methods, new ways of thinking.

Martial arts is self-growth. It's artistic impression. It's self-defense... it doesn't have any place in politics.

I've learned to be a different fighter, more responsible.

I've always had an interest in Muay Thai fighting. I love the discipline and toughness of it, so I traveled to Thailand to study ways to incorporate it into my style.

I had always considered myself a martial artist who fights rather than a fighter who learned martial arts - although I probably flowed between those two categories over the years.

I've been taking martial arts for a long time. I started with tae kwon do, and then I started taking karate and mixed martial arts.

I've set the model of showing fighters how they should conduct their business.

You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.

When I grew up, I studied karate for years. I got pretty strong, but eventually I had to acknowledge that I really didn't like fighting at all, so I quit.

Personal law is simply the thought that controls your mind and your life more than any other thought. Finding that thought is the most valuable knowledge that you can have about yourself. It is like the leverage on personal change. It enables you to change very efficiently.

As a lifelong practitioner of martial arts, I'm trained to remain calm in the face of adversity and danger.

Martial arts is like dance. It's so beautiful and what I love about the martial arts mostly is that what it basically says is you take their energy and you redirect it. Then if you need to, use it on them. That whole thing about redirecting energy I love.

It wasn't until I went to Korea out of high school and got exposed to the martial arts for the first time and was just completely enamored with the physical ability of the martial arts and making my black belt.

I always loved the idea of learning martial arts, but it wasn't until I was in my 20s that I really started doing it and taking up karate.

When I was 8 years old, I knew nothing about martial arts. The coach told me I was talented with learning martial arts, and put me in a school.

In the past, I used to argue with those who didn't share my views. I felt this incredible need to 'make my point.' Now I live my life and do my best to be an example of what seems right to me.

I am a woman in process. I'm just trying like everybody else. I try to take every conflict, every experience, and learn from it. Life is never dull.

I've good memories of fighting at the Echo Arena. It's been a happy hunting ground for me in the past.

I've really taken a lot of time to work on my Karate, worked on my kickboxing, and Muay Thai.

Actually, I have never been a great fan of martial arts competitions. Not even when I was training martial arts myself.

I love to fight, but it's not just about the fight. You have to be healthy.

As a kid I lost my temper quite easily and tended to look away from the game itself. Now I know how to manage that and get the best out of myself.

Some of the things I've had to overcome in my past, fighting helped me deal with a lot of struggles. Obstacles in life don't make you a great fighter, but fighting - or, I should say, martial arts - helps you overcome your obstacles.

I love to learn, and that's the really cool thing about martial arts - you're always learning new things.