--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's probably just a mental thing but…" description: "\"It's probably just a mental thing but I've never felt I'm the smaller guy out there. I'm out there trying to beat him up just the same and I've never f..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/dan-henderson-4685_big_it-s-probably-just-a-mental-thing-but-i_1977911.jpg" --- # It's probably just a mental thing but I've never felt I'm… ![“It's probably just a mental thing but I've never felt I'm the smaller guy out there. I'm out there trying to beat him up just the same and I've never felt weak, that I couldn't do what I wanted to do to my opponent, no matter how big they were.” quote by Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/dan-henderson-4685_big_it-s-probably-just-a-mental-thing-but-i_1977911.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/dan-henderson-4685_big_it-s-probably-just-a-mental-thing-but-i_1977911.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df0/dan-henderson-4685_big_it-s-probably-just-a-mental-thing-but-i_1977911.jpg) > “It's probably just a mental thing but I've never felt I'm the smaller guy out there. I'm out there trying to beat him up just the same and I've never felt weak, that I couldn't do what I wanted to do to my opponent, no matter how big they were.” [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker feels confident and capable regardless of an opponent's size, emphasizing mental toughness over physical stature. **In simple terms:** Confidence beats size. Key Takeaway Trust your mental strength. Themes confidence mental toughness self‑belief Mood determined empowered Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - sports competition - personal challenges - career obstacles Key Concepts psychology self‑efficacy mindset Questions to Reflect On - How do you maintain confidence when facing a physically larger rival? - What mental strategies help you feel unstoppable? A Different Perspective Physical size can still be an advantage in certain contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Big](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/big/) [Felt Smaller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/felt-smaller-3263803/) [Felt Weak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/felt-weak-509734/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Opponent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opponent/) [Opponent Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opponent-matter-326928/) [Smaller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smaller/) [Smaller Guy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smaller-guy-630125/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Weak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weak/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/) ## Related quotes > [Because you're a smaller guy, you're at a disadvantage and you need to be better offensively, defensively, at making plays and stuff like that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-gaudreau/because-you-re-a-smaller-guy-you-re-at-a-disadvantage-and-you-need-to/) [Johnny Gaudreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-gaudreau/) > [I'm a smaller guy, so I train at a high pace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetrious-johnson/i-m-a-smaller-guy-so-i-train-at-a-high-pace/) [Demetrious Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetrious-johnson/) > [I probably looked pretty conventionally successful as a 24-year-old getting paid $125,000 a year, plus bonus, wearing suits, and living in a Manhattan apartment.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-yang/i-probably-looked-pretty-conventionally-successful-as-a-24-year-old/) [Andrew Yang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-yang/) > [“When I got started again, I drove slower and felt smaller. I think it does us all good to get looked at like that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bailey-white/when-i-got-started-again-i-drove-slower-and-felt-smaller-i-think-it/) [Bailey White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bailey-white/) > [You try to say every week that you're facing a faceless opponent. No matter who it is, you want to have the same mindset,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-garoppolo/you-try-to-say-every-week-that-you-re-facing-a-faceless-opponent-no/) [Jimmy Garoppolo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-garoppolo/) > [“The same amount of time and study was dedicated to trying to find the weaknesses and Achilles heels of every opponent, no matter how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guillem-balague/the-same-amount-of-time-and-study-was-dedicated-to-trying-to-find-the/) [Guillem Balague](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guillem-balague/) > [It is a principle of the art of war that one should simply lay down his life and strike. 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You've just got to be quicker and faster than everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-gaudreau/it-s-definitely-a-challenge-being-a-smaller-guy-you-ve-just-got-to-be/) [Johnny Gaudreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-gaudreau/) > [I'm kind of a smaller guy in my given profession, and people always told me I'm too small, so I know how it feels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-gargano/i-m-kind-of-a-smaller-guy-in-my-given-profession-and-people-always/) [Johnny Gargano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-gargano/) > [I was heart broken, scared, I had a lot of anxiety, I was worried, I felt weak, and I had no idea how I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-casey-jr/i-was-heart-broken-scared-i-had-a-lot-of-anxiety-i-was-worried-i-felt/) [Bob Casey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-casey-jr/) > [Whatever it was that I felt was the weak link in my previous project gave me inspiration for the next one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/whatever-it-was-that-i-felt-was-the-weak-link-in-my-previous-project/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I was being strong. Even though I felt weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-howells/i-was-being-strong-even-though-i-felt-weak/) [Amanda Howells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-howells/) > [For the first time I could remember, I felt weak, woozy and stupid— like a human-being. Like a very small and helpless human-being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-lindsay/for-the-first-time-i-could-remember-i-felt-weak-woozy-and-stupid-like/) [Jeff Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-lindsay/) ## More by Dan Henderson > [Normally that's not my type of fight, a little bit boring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/normally-that-s-not-my-type-of-fight-a-little-bit-boring/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) > [I love this sport and I absolutely love the support you guys give me; and I will continue to do it until I can't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/i-love-this-sport-and-i-absolutely-love-the-support-you-guys-give-me/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) > [I'm who I am based on what I've done and what I don't do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/i-m-who-i-am-based-on-what-i-ve-done-and-what-i-don-t-do/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) > [The last goal in my career is to get a UFC belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/the-last-goal-in-my-career-is-to-get-a-ufc-belt/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) > [I knew in my mind I could beat Wanderlei and take his belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/i-knew-in-my-mind-i-could-beat-wanderlei-and-take-his-belt/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) > [I enjoy fighting so I'm going to miss that but I'm excited to move forward and start making plans farther in advance than when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/i-enjoy-fighting-so-i-m-going-to-miss-that-but-i-m-excited-to-move/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) > [It just means a lot more to me than most fights to fight and beat a guy like Shogun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/it-just-means-a-lot-more-to-me-than-most-fights-to-fight-and-beat-a/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) > [I've been in this sport a long time, and this sport is based on your last performance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/i-ve-been-in-this-sport-a-long-time-and-this-sport-is-based-on-your/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) > [I've been a huge fan of Fedor's forever. I respect him so much as a fighter and for what he has done for this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/i-ve-been-a-huge-fan-of-fedor-s-forever-i-respect-him-so-much-as-a/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) > [It's all about making sure you train hard and train smart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/it-s-all-about-making-sure-you-train-hard-and-train-smart/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) > [Anderson Silva is a little bit smaller than Quinton Jackson, although naturally he is a little bit bigger than I am. He is definitely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/anderson-silva-is-a-little-bit-smaller-than-quinton-jackson-although/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) > [What made Pride unique was the show they put on. It was the production, not just the fights. They had great fights but they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/what-made-pride-unique-was-the-show-they-put-on-it-was-the-production/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) > [Vitor is very capable of beating anybody in those first few minutes of a fight because he is dangerous and he hits hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/vitor-is-very-capable-of-beating-anybody-in-those-first-few-minutes/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) > [I'm completely content with who I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/i-m-completely-content-with-who-i-am/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) > [I am pretty excited about fighting on the UFC 100 show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-henderson/i-am-pretty-excited-about-fighting-on-the-ufc-100-show/) [Dan Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) [Explore all 107 Dan Henderson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-henderson/) ## More Big quotes > [I'm a true believer in prayer, a big believer in prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-jackson/i-m-a-true-believer-in-prayer-a-big-believer-in-prayer/) [Janet Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-jackson/) > [Many early-stage entrepreneurs make one simple mistake: Describing this 'big picture' in vague concepts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-nagaraj/many-early-stage-entrepreneurs-make-one-simple-mistake-describing/) [Sunil Nagaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-nagaraj/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [My mom had very low expectations for me, and she really had a point. 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I didn't want to use big pad chords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/midge-ure/so-i-concentrated-on-the-rhythmic-side-of-things-and-therefore-left-a/) [Midge Ure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/midge-ure/) > [I think a big part of success in football is mental, not physical. How you are inside your head matters more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iker-casillas/i-think-a-big-part-of-success-in-football-is-mental-not-physical-how/) [Iker Casillas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iker-casillas/) > [I was always attracted most to joining City, and I am pleased to be at such a good club with such a big ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edin-dzeko/i-was-always-attracted-most-to-joining-city-and-i-am-pleased-to-be-at/) [Edin Dzeko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edin-dzeko/) > [Making sure that people have access to preventive medicine for the first time ever as a nation? 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