5 Steps to the redemption of Ronda Rousey

#4 Rid herself of coat-tail riders

Rousey endorses several products.

Now, this part may seem a bit over-recited. However, there is no denying the fact that along with success, come bandwagoners. And a select few of these bandwagoners, succeed in riding the coat-tails of the successful personality, in the equation.

In Ronda Rousey’s case she has encountered such persons in abundance. And much like pre-incarceration Mike Tyson, most of her ‘fans’, seem to have changed their tune about her, ever since she suffered her first pro MMA loss.

Nevertheless, Rousey should take this as a blessing in disguise. In the lead-up to UFC 207, she stated that she has rid herself of all distractions; simply focusing on her training. However, she left out a major source of distraction, unchecked.

That source is her coach Edmond Tarverdyan.

Inspite of the highly publicized feud between Tarverdyan and Rousey’s mother, Dr AnnMaria De Mars, Rousey chose to stay with Tarverdyan. Tarverdyan has been the object of largescale criticism, throughout the MMA community, whether it’s regarding the stylistic changes and failure of Travis Browne’s striking under him, or Ellenberger’s bad losing streak while training at Glendale.

Tarverdyan has unquestionably earned a bad reputation, as an MMA coach. Now, we all know how loyal Rousey is, however, from the viewpoint of tuning out all distractions; she needs to rid herself of this unnecessary part of her entourage.

This, in turn, brings us to Rousey’s on again-off again acting career. While being undefeated and constantly hyped by the UFC, Rousey seemed to be getting offers from every possible Hollywood agent in Los Angeles.

Once she lost and went into seclusion, several news articles about the sudden disinterest of the very same agents in her, were all over the media. Hollywood stars who’d once be eager to be seen at social events with Rousey, now, started avoiding her.

Such is the nature of Hollywood; such is the nature of life in society.

Several Rousey Hollywood movie projects, most notably, Mile 22 with Mark Wahlberg seemed to have altered Rousey’s character in their script, reduced her proposed screen time, or even completely chucked her out of the projects.

Although it is easier said than done, Rousey should learn from these experiences and distance herself from such coat-tail riders, regardless of how big or famous, they may be. Even today, several small-time offers keep popping up for Rousey in different arenas of the entertainment industry.

However, if she intends to test herself in fighting, she cannot afford to entertain such offers.

The ‘Rowdy One’ is a fighter, not a people-pleaser. She needs to stop catering to other people’s agenda. She needs to rid herself of people who are around her, merely for her name value; and surround herself with the people that genuinely care about her.