It’s hard to imagine Ronda Rousey, one of the pioneers of women’s MMA and a trailblazing athlete, to have insecurities about her physical appearance. In a candid confession, the former UFC champion has revealed how she was afraid of sharing her ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos when her first daughter was born in 2021.
Like many women, she felt the pressure of being compared in a “cruel” manner. The 37-year-old gave birth to her second daughter earlier this month and seems to have overcome the dread that people would end up comparing her post-pregnancy body against how she was during her peak as a fighter.
Rousey has two daughters with husband Travis Browne — La’akea Makalapuaokalanipō Browne, born in September 2021, and Liko’ula Pā’ūomahinakaipiha Browne, who arrived this month. She had kept the journey of giving birth to the first child under wraps. This time, the former Olympic judo champion chose to celebrate her motherhood by describing how amazing women’s bodies are. She shared pictures of her body transformation after the first child while promising her fans that her journey back to fitness will be well-documented this time.
“Women’s bodies are insane. Making babies is no short order…Crazy to think now that I never shared these pics cause I was afraid of people comparing my post-baby-bod to my fight-camp-form in a cruel way,” wrote Rousey in her post on Instagram.
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It’s clear that Rousey wants to be an inspiration for many young mothers who face body positivity issues post-childbirth. And her words are indeed inspiring.
Here’s someone who’s spent a lifetime in the spotlight, where every pound and every inch is scrutinized. Right now, she is trying to portray and celebrate her body for what it truly is — beyond the typical aesthetic yardsticks.
What a mother’s body undergoes through the pregnancy journey is indeed ‘superhuman’. Rousey reiterated that through her post. Her journey is a reminder to all women, not just athletes, that bodies are more than just tools for performance or aesthetics. They’re dynamic, resilient, and capable of miraculous feats in life.
For anyone who’s ever struggled with post-baby confidence or felt the weight of societal expectations, Ronda’s message is clear: You are strong. You are beautiful. And you are enough, exactly as you are. Being a mother of two daughters, Ronda knows just how important this message is.
More about Rousey’s family
On January 9, Rousey gave birth to Liko’ula. And, she came into the world bearing the traits of a fighter. Baby Liko’ula was born during a windstorm in LA, right when the city was engulfed by wildfires.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Rousey wrote:
“Our little girl came into this world during a windstorm into a city on fire, so grateful she made it safe and sound.”
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Her post captured both the chaos and beauty of life.
Rousey, fondly known as ‘Rowdy’, seems to have embraced her role as a mother beyond the octagon and the spotlight to perfection. In addition to being a mom to Liko’ula and La’akea, she’s also a loving stepmom to Browne’s two sons from his previous marriage.
The couple got married in a stunning ceremony in Rousey’s native Hawaii in August 2017.
From her groundbreaking achievements in sports to embracing the challenges and joys of motherhood, Ronda proves time and again that strength isn’t just about physical power. It’s about resilience, love, and embracing every role life has to offer.
