--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I consider myself a decent athlete but…" description: "\"I consider myself a decent athlete but when I started to train martial arts like Kung Fu, I realised it had nothing to do with how athletic you are. It..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d81/channing-tatum-2462_art_i-consider-myself-a-decent-athlete-but-w_1153130.jpg" --- # I consider myself a decent athlete but when I started to… ![“I consider myself a decent athlete but when I started to train martial arts like Kung Fu, I realised it had nothing to do with how athletic you are. It's all mental. It's what you know, how you use it and your mental toughness and composure. It's incredible.” quote by Channing Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d81/channing-tatum-2462_art_i-consider-myself-a-decent-athlete-but-w_1153130.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d81/channing-tatum-2462_art_i-consider-myself-a-decent-athlete-but-w_1153130.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d81/channing-tatum-2462_art_i-consider-myself-a-decent-athlete-but-w_1153130.jpg) > “I consider myself a decent athlete but when I started to train martial arts like Kung Fu, I realised it had nothing to do with how athletic you are. It's all mental. It's what you know, how you use it and your mental toughness and composure. It's incredible.” [Channing Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-tatum/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Physical skill is secondary to mental discipline, knowledge, and composure in martial arts. **In simple terms:** Mind matters more than body. Key Takeaway Develop mental toughness for any challenge. Themes mindset discipline mental strength Mood determined inspired Type motivational practical When to use this quote - sports training - business leadership - personal development Key Concepts psychology of performance resilience skill acquisition Questions to Reflect On - How does mental training improve performance? - What practices build composure? A Different Perspective Physical training still essential for safety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Athlete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athlete/) [Athletic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athletic/) [Athletic Mental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athletic-mental-3268518/) [Composure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/composure/) [Decent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decent/) [Decent Athlete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decent-athlete-1871182/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Incredibles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incredibles/) [Know how](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-how/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Kung fu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kung-fu/) [Martial Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/martial-art/) [Martial arts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/martial-arts/) [Mental toughness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-toughness/) [Realised](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realised/) [Realised Athletic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realised-athletic-3268519/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Toughness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toughness/) [Toughness Composure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toughness-composure-3268520/) [Train](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/train/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) ## Related quotes > [I used to be a pretty decent athlete when I was young. I would like to really focus on getting back into shape.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-dejoy/i-used-to-be-a-pretty-decent-athlete-when-i-was-young-i-would-like-to/) [Louis DeJoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-dejoy/) > [The 3 key components for success are as follows: Psychological Preparedness Physical Conditioning Mental Toughness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-norris/the-3-key-components-for-success-are-as-follows-psychological/) [Chuck Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-norris/) > [“Lust of ease and comfort absolutely destroys mental toughness and begins to slowly erode ones character.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james-moore/lust-of-ease-and-comfort-absolutely-destroys-mental-toughness-and/) [William James Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james-moore/) > [Mental toughness is spartanism with qualities of sacrifice, self-denial, dedication. It is fearlessness, and it is love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/mental-toughness-is-spartanism-with-qualities-of-sacrifice-self/) [Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/) > [“But back then we had to amuse ourselves, and fighting seemed to be all we had. Looking back, it was good for us. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-brandt/but-back-then-we-had-to-amuse-ourselves-and-fighting-seemed-to-be-all/) [Charles Brandt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-brandt/) > [“Being physically tough is measured by how many fights you win, but mental toughness is measured by how you react when all the chips…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-bayani/being-physically-tough-is-measured-by-how-many-fights-you-win-but/) [Benjamin Bayani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-bayani/) > [“Mental toughness isn’t about how you feel, it’s about what you do despite how you feel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glody-kikonga/mental-toughness-isn-t-about-how-you-feel-it-s-about-what-you-do/) [Glody Kikonga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glody-kikonga/) > [Mental toughness must be developed before you start fighting because you don't want to be that guy who quits in the ring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/forrest-griffin/mental-toughness-must-be-developed-before-you-start-fighting-because/) [Forrest Griffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/forrest-griffin/) > [Curiosity, rationalization, and laziness are no match against courage, self-control, and mental toughness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bytheway/curiosity-rationalization-and-laziness-are-no-match-against-courage/) [John Bytheway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bytheway/) > [Mental toughness is many things. It is humility because it behooves all of us to remember that simplicity is the sign of greatness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/mental-toughness-is-many-things-it-is-humility-because-it-behooves/) [Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/) > [I think we've bounced back and really been resilient. Even after a bad period, we take over and we seem like we're on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-fisher/i-think-we-ve-bounced-back-and-really-been-resilient-even-after-a-bad/) [Mike Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-fisher/) > [Mental Toughness: The ability to consistently perform toward the upper range of your talent and skill regardless of the competitive circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-e-loehr/mental-toughness-the-ability-to-consistently-perform-toward-the-upper/) [James E. Loehr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-e-loehr/) > [Self motivation is inner power which empowers you to strengthen your confidence, mental toughness, achieve greater height in life, best performance through positive attitude,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-sinha/self-motivation-is-inner-power-which-empowers-you-to-strengthen-your/) [Anil Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-sinha/) > [Brains without competitive hearts are rudderless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-lombardi/brains-without-competitive-hearts-are-rudderless/) [Vince Lombardi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-lombardi/) > [“To succeed you must do the work. To do the work takes character. To keep doing it takes mental toughness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james-moore/to-succeed-you-must-do-the-work-to-do-the-work-takes-character-to/) [William James Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james-moore/) ## More by Channing Tatum > [No, I was never that kind of guy. I believed in true romance; one-night stands are always going to leave you feeling cold and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/channing-tatum/no-i-was-never-that-kind-of-guy-i-believed-in-true-romance-one-night/) [Channing Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-tatum/) > [I'm thankful for weird people out there 'cause they're some of the most creative people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/channing-tatum/i-m-thankful-for-weird-people-out-there-cause-they-re-some-of-the/) [Channing Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-tatum/) > [I really get inspired by songs. 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That was weird.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/channing-tatum/i-ve-never-been-sent-a-lock-of-hair-or-anything-like-that-but-i-ve/) [Channing Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-tatum/) > [Comedy doesn't come easy for me. I've only done 2 movies that are really comedy-style films and I have to work at them. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/channing-tatum/comedy-doesn-t-come-easy-for-me-i-ve-only-done-2-movies-that-are/) [Channing Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-tatum/) > [Actually I have a tradition that I always steal my last costume on the last day of filming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/channing-tatum/actually-i-have-a-tradition-that-i-always-steal-my-last-costume-on/) [Channing Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-tatum/) > [I learned to appreciate repetition. That's why I can dance. It's how I learned to act. I have a high tolerance for repetition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/channing-tatum/i-learned-to-appreciate-repetition-that-s-why-i-can-dance-it-s-how-i/) [Channing Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-tatum/) > [I do get nervous to act, it kind of depends on what it is really.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/channing-tatum/i-do-get-nervous-to-act-it-kind-of-depends-on-what-it-is-really/) [Channing Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-tatum/) > [I still want to write Clint Eastwood a letter saying, 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry for all us wimp actors. You're the truth.' I guarantee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/channing-tatum/i-still-want-to-write-clint-eastwood-a-letter-saying-i-m-sorry-i-m/) [Channing Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-tatum/) > [I like to be lean. If I get too bulky I can't move well and I like to move. When I'm not training, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/channing-tatum/i-like-to-be-lean-if-i-get-too-bulky-i-can-t-move-well-and-i-like-to/) [Channing Tatum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/channing-tatum/) > [Any teen gets into a little trouble here and there. 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Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I consider myself a decent athlete but when I started to train martial arts like Kung Fu, I realised it had nothing to do with how athletic you are. 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