--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I always thought fighting was fun, so I…" description: "\"I always thought fighting was fun, so I joined a gym and took it serious. I never actually thought I would be a real fighter, though. But I began to ex..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de1/brad-tavares-10941_fighter_i-always-thought-fighting-was-fun-so-i-j_1146936.jpg" --- # I always thought fighting was fun, so I joined a gym and… ![“I always thought fighting was fun, so I joined a gym and took it serious. I never actually thought I would be a real fighter, though. But I began to excel on the local circuit and I did well for myself.” quote by Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de1/brad-tavares-10941_fighter_i-always-thought-fighting-was-fun-so-i-j_1146936.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de1/brad-tavares-10941_fighter_i-always-thought-fighting-was-fun-so-i-j_1146936.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de1/brad-tavares-10941_fighter_i-always-thought-fighting-was-fun-so-i-j_1146936.jpg) > “I always thought fighting was fun, so I joined a gym and took it serious. I never actually thought I would be a real fighter, though. But I began to excel on the local circuit and I did well for myself.” [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He discovered a love for fighting through a gym, leading to unexpected success in competition. **In simple terms:** Gym fun turned into serious fighting success. Key Takeaway Embrace unexpected passions; they can lead to achievement. Themes sports personal growth unexpected paths Mood enthusiastic reflective Type personal narrative motivational When to use this quote - joining a gym - starting a sport - career pivot - personal development Key Concepts self-discovery goal setting Questions to Reflect On - What new activity could become a future passion? - How do you maintain momentum after early success? A Different Perspective Passion may fade; success requires sustained effort beyond initial excitement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fighter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighter/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Gym](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gym/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/) ## Related quotes > [When I grew older and went my own way, MMA kind of stuck with me. I got to the point where I wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/when-i-grew-older-and-went-my-own-way-mma-kind-of-stuck-with-me-i-got/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) > [I'm a real fighter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-masvidal/i-m-a-real-fighter/) [Jorge Masvidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-masvidal/) > [The real fighter knows perfectly well that there is no difference between victory and defeat, friend and enemy, day and night, life and death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-c-brown/the-real-fighter-knows-perfectly-well-that-there-is-no-difference/) [William C. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-c-brown/) > [Fighting's fun, man. It's a great activity, it's a great sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mitrione/fighting-s-fun-man-it-s-a-great-activity-it-s-a-great-sport/) [Matt Mitrione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mitrione/) > [This is for fighting, this is for fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-lee-ermey/this-is-for-fighting-this-is-for-fun/) [R. Lee Ermey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-lee-ermey/) > [Fighting is fun - fighting solves everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-mcinnes/fighting-is-fun-fighting-solves-everything/) [Gavin McInnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-mcinnes/) > [In the beginning, fighting was fun - I wasn't concerned with the outcome. At some point, I started training out of fear and anger.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/in-the-beginning-fighting-was-fun-i-wasn-t-concerned-with-the-outcome/) [Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/) > [The way I got into fighting was that my brother was training in MMA, and he'd been wanting to introduce me to his new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-rountree-jr/the-way-i-got-into-fighting-was-that-my-brother-was-training-in-mma/) [Khalil Rountree Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-rountree-jr/) > [I joined a gym recently. I don't have the best history in the world of sticking with my fitness regimens, but I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-finnegan/i-joined-a-gym-recently-i-don-t-have-the-best-history-in-the-world-of/) [Christian Finnegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-finnegan/) > [I did quite a bit of running before, but it's getting really cold so I joined a gym. I do a bit of swimming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lara-stone/i-did-quite-a-bit-of-running-before-but-it-s-getting-really-cold-so-i/) [Lara Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lara-stone/) > [I remember meeting my manager Eamonn for the very first time, and one of the first things he said to me was, 'You're fat.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-barry/i-remember-meeting-my-manager-eamonn-for-the-very-first-time-and-one/) [Keith Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-barry/) > [The first time I joined the gym was during the Miss Sri Lanka pageant in 2006. Then, I went for the Miss Universe contest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-fernandez/the-first-time-i-joined-the-gym-was-during-the-miss-sri-lanka-pageant/) [Jacqueline Fernandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-fernandez/) > [I joined a gym when I was 11, agreed to seeing a dietitian aged 15, and I remember being a teenager and going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/layla-moran/i-joined-a-gym-when-i-was-11-agreed-to-seeing-a-dietitian-aged-15-and/) [Layla Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/layla-moran/) > [People are stupid, what can I say. They don't know who's a real fighter or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gegard-mousasi/people-are-stupid-what-can-i-say-they-don-t-know-who-s-a-real-fighter/) [Gegard Mousasi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gegard-mousasi/) > [A real fighter never cries, never lets the weight of any blow bring him down. Except that final blow, the inevitable one, but even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-a-redmerski/a-real-fighter-never-cries-never-lets-the-weight-of-any-blow-bring/) [J.A. Redmerski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-a-redmerski/) ## More by Brad Tavares > [Street fights in Hawaii are so controlled you would think they were sanctioned. It's really hard to explain. It's almost like a peaceful violence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/street-fights-in-hawaii-are-so-controlled-you-would-think-they-were/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) > [A lot people might not know this aside from my coaches and close friends, but Wanderlei has been my favorite fighter since I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/a-lot-people-might-not-know-this-aside-from-my-coaches-and-close/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) > [Previously in my career, I went on a streak where I fought everybody in their hometown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/previously-in-my-career-i-went-on-a-streak-where-i-fought-everybody/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) > [I liked the sport of martial arts because I loved anything that involved contact, conflict or collision. But as a young kid, I wasn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/i-liked-the-sport-of-martial-arts-because-i-loved-anything-that/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) > [I try to get hit as little as possible because I think that is the best way to go about it as far as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/i-try-to-get-hit-as-little-as-possible-because-i-think-that-is-the/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) > [I've always considered myself a counter-striker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/i-ve-always-considered-myself-a-counter-striker/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) > [I like striking and while I'm a mixed martial artist, striking is what I like to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/i-like-striking-and-while-i-m-a-mixed-martial-artist-striking-is-what/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) > [When I am kicking somebody, it's bad intentions. I do want to hurt them. This is fighting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/when-i-am-kicking-somebody-it-s-bad-intentions-i-do-want-to-hurt-them/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) > [The victory is most important. If the opportunity presents itself, believe me I'll go for the finish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/the-victory-is-most-important-if-the-opportunity-presents-itself/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) > [There's younger, hungry guys doing different things that have been doing it from a young age because of where the sport is now, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/there-s-younger-hungry-guys-doing-different-things-that-have-been/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) > [It's not like I'm in there and not trying to finish fights. I'm hitting these guys as hard as I can in there. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/it-s-not-like-i-m-in-there-and-not-trying-to-finish-fights-i-m/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) > [It is such an honor getting to work with Ray Sefo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/it-is-such-an-honor-getting-to-work-with-ray-sefo/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) > [With Wanderlei, there is not one bit of worry in my mind he would show up to bring the fight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/with-wanderlei-there-is-not-one-bit-of-worry-in-my-mind-he-would-show/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) > [I have nothing but respect for Wanderlei.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/i-have-nothing-but-respect-for-wanderlei/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) > [Some people fold under pressure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-tavares/some-people-fold-under-pressure/) [Brad Tavares](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) [Explore all 62 Brad Tavares quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-tavares/) ## More Fighter quotes > [I said that I was gonna smash him in three rounds, and that's what I did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-haye/i-said-that-i-was-gonna-smash-him-in-three-rounds-and-that-s-what-i/) [David Haye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-haye/) > [It's not about size, it's a science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-ward/it-s-not-about-size-it-s-a-science/) [Andre Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-ward/) > [I'm not taking him lightly at all. I mean, Heiland, he's a good fighter. He's strong. He comes to fight every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jermall-charlo/i-m-not-taking-him-lightly-at-all-i-mean-heiland-he-s-a-good-fighter/) [Jermall Charlo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jermall-charlo/) > [You've got to be careful against classy fighters, especially counter-punchers because if you go for the finish too early, you can end up getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-froch/you-ve-got-to-be-careful-against-classy-fighters-especially-counter/) [Carl Froch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-froch/) > [“I'm not an alcoholic, I am freedom fighter against the teetotal taliban.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-murray/i-m-not-an-alcoholic-i-am-freedom-fighter-against-the-teetotal-taliban/) [Al Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-murray/) > [I'm a fighter, I love boxing, it's what I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-mosley/i-m-a-fighter-i-love-boxing-it-s-what-i-do/) [Shane Mosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-mosley/) > [I don't mind people want to think Muhammad is the greatest fighter around. Everybody wants to make him great because of his mouth, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-frazier/i-don-t-mind-people-want-to-think-muhammad-is-the-greatest-fighter/) [Joe Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-frazier/) > [I don't walk around looking into cameras and telling people I'm the best fighter in the world just to hear myself talk. I say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chael-sonnen/i-don-t-walk-around-looking-into-cameras-and-telling-people-i-m-the/) [Chael Sonnen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chael-sonnen/) > [Before The Ultimate Fighter, I was appearing before a couple of hundred people at most. Now, I'm on the card of a Las Vegas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-whittaker/before-the-ultimate-fighter-i-was-appearing-before-a-couple-of/) [Robert Whittaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-whittaker/) > [“She's not the enemy. She's just a dirty fighter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tarryn-fisher/she-s-not-the-enemy-she-s-just-a-dirty-fighter/) [Tarryn Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tarryn-fisher/) > [I've been able to not only be a fighter, but a thinking fighter, where I can use my insight into the business and politics…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-ve-been-able-to-not-only-be-a-fighter-but-a-thinking-fighter-where/) [Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/) > [I was 35 years old and in a position to take a shot at whatever I wanted to try. The Air Force said I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-doyle/i-was-35-years-old-and-in-a-position-to-take-a-shot-at-whatever-i/) [Jerry Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-doyle/) > [You see, at the beginning we weren't fighters. We weren't yellers or throwers, even if we eventually came to be. It would take time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dinaw-mengestu/you-see-at-the-beginning-we-weren-t-fighters-we-weren-t-yellers-or/) [Dinaw Mengestu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dinaw-mengestu/) > [Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/therefore-the-good-fighter-will-be-terrible-in-his-onset-and-prompt/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [After eight years of Obama one thing is clear: Conservatives want a fighter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-schlapp/after-eight-years-of-obama-one-thing-is-clear-conservatives-want-a/) [Matt Schlapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-schlapp/) [Browse all 2,705 Fighter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighter/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I always thought fighting was fun, so I joined a gym and took it serious. 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