--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In my first fight, I acknowledged it. I'm…" description: "\"In my first fight, I acknowledged it. I'm a professional wrestler, this is who I am, who you know me as. But guess what, I've also been wrestling since..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/jake-hager-6320_fight_in-my-first-fight-i-acknowledged-it-i-m_3027841.jpg" --- # In my first fight, I acknowledged it. I'm a professional… ![“In my first fight, I acknowledged it. I'm a professional wrestler, this is who I am, who you know me as. But guess what, I've also been wrestling since I was 5 years old - real wrestling - amateur wrestling, Olympic wrestling.” quote by Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/jake-hager-6320_fight_in-my-first-fight-i-acknowledged-it-i-m_3027841.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/jake-hager-6320_fight_in-my-first-fight-i-acknowledged-it-i-m_3027841.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/jake-hager-6320_fight_in-my-first-fight-i-acknowledged-it-i-m_3027841.jpg) > “In my first fight, I acknowledged it. I'm a professional wrestler, this is who I am, who you know me as. But guess what, I've also been wrestling since I was 5 years old - real wrestling - amateur wrestling, Olympic wrestling.” [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He reflects on lifelong dedication to wrestling, both professional and amateur, emphasizing identity and experience. **In simple terms:** He’s been wrestling since childhood, shaping his identity. Key Takeaway Embrace your roots and expertise. Themes identity dedication sport career self-awareness Mood proud reflective Type personal career When to use this quote - coaching youth - sports commentary - personal branding - motivational speaking Key Concepts professional wrestling amateur wrestling Olympic wrestling Questions to Reflect On - How does early training influence current performance? - What non‑wrestling skills have you gained? A Different Perspective He may overlook challenges outside wrestling. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight/) [Wrestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestler/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/) ## Related quotes > [It took me a few years to explain to my colleagues and my mentors and the people that I looked up to and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-angle/it-took-me-a-few-years-to-explain-to-my-colleagues-and-my-mentors-and/) [Kurt Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-angle/) > [Kurt Angle was amazing. He was the person who got me into pro wrestling. He found me when I was at the Olympic training…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lashley/kurt-angle-was-amazing-he-was-the-person-who-got-me-into-pro/) [Bobby Lashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lashley/) > [You go from Olympic wrestling into pro wrestling, and it's a very difficult transition, but if you make it, you can earn a great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-angle/you-go-from-olympic-wrestling-into-pro-wrestling-and-it-s-a-very/) [Kurt Angle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-angle/) > [I relate everything to amateur wrestling, including the way I watch basketball and the way I watch football. My brain thinks as an amateur…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/i-relate-everything-to-amateur-wrestling-including-the-way-i-watch/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [Think about it - pro wrestling as an Olympic sport would be pretty cool. Look at figure skating or gymnastics - what is it?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-jericho/think-about-it-pro-wrestling-as-an-olympic-sport-would-be-pretty-cool/) [Chris Jericho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-jericho/) > [I grew up in one of the most prolific high-school-wrestling programs in the country, and MMA fighters are more successful when they have that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/i-grew-up-in-one-of-the-most-prolific-high-school-wrestling-programs/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [Olympic wrestling is like using an old Nokia phone; it's fairly basic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-great-khali/olympic-wrestling-is-like-using-an-old-nokia-phone-it-s-fairly-basic/) [The Great Khali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-great-khali/) > [As far as the work in the ring, it's so much technique and spacing and timing, and that's what amateur wrestling is, too. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/as-far-as-the-work-in-the-ring-it-s-so-much-technique-and-spacing-and/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [The level of difficulty in most areas of MMA is very high. It's a high learning curve. The footwork in boxing alone takes years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/the-level-of-difficulty-in-most-areas-of-mma-is-very-high-it-s-a-high/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [It is cool to be a pro wrestler and that makes it so much better for us as pro wrestlers - who go out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/it-is-cool-to-be-a-pro-wrestler-and-that-makes-it-so-much-better-for/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [Once you're an amateur wrestler, you're always an amateur wrestler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/once-you-re-an-amateur-wrestler-you-re-always-an-amateur-wrestler/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [I've heard that I'm a wrestler and not a real fighter, but I have nothing to prove to anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/i-ve-heard-that-i-m-a-wrestler-and-not-a-real-fighter-but-i-have/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [Absolutely, it's awesome to be a pro wrestler.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/absolutely-it-s-awesome-to-be-a-pro-wrestler/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [“True wrestling, wrong called amateur wrestling, is performed in second-rate halls, where the public spontaneously attunes itself to the spectacular nature of the contest,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-barthes/true-wrestling-wrong-called-amateur-wrestling-is-performed-in-second/) [Roland Barthes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-barthes/) > [Being in the wrestling business, it was a whole lot to deal with in a short amount of time. I went from amateur wrestling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lashley/being-in-the-wrestling-business-it-was-a-whole-lot-to-deal-with-in-a/) [Bobby Lashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lashley/) ## More by Jake Hager > [A long time ago I learned how to shut my mouth, listen to my coaches and put trust in my coaches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/a-long-time-ago-i-learned-how-to-shut-my-mouth-listen-to-my-coaches/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [I need to wrestle, I need to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/i-need-to-wrestle-i-need-to-compete/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [When I was leaving college, getting ready to graduate with a degree in finance, I had job interviews for months and months - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/when-i-was-leaving-college-getting-ready-to-graduate-with-a-degree-in/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [A lot of people want me to say negative things about WWE, but I'm very grateful for my career there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/a-lot-of-people-want-me-to-say-negative-things-about-wwe-but-i-m-very/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [Going through life is always scary doing something new, at the same time it is very exciting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/going-through-life-is-always-scary-doing-something-new-at-the-same/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [I was never the best athlete, but I knew how to be coached and I knew how to work hard at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/i-was-never-the-best-athlete-but-i-knew-how-to-be-coached-and-i-knew/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [If you go back and look at WWE Magazine, they asked me when I was going to win my first world championship and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/if-you-go-back-and-look-at-wwe-magazine-they-asked-me-when-i-was/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [I believe competition makes everyone better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/i-believe-competition-makes-everyone-better/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [As cool as Jack Swagger was, he felt choreographed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/as-cool-as-jack-swagger-was-he-felt-choreographed/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [I'm a conservative. I voted for Donald Trump and back in 2016 everybody was talking about, 'Oh my God, here's another TV character trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/i-m-a-conservative-i-voted-for-donald-trump-and-back-in-2016/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [A lot of great fighters were amateur wrestlers first and you can study them on film to see how they adapted the techniques.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/a-lot-of-great-fighters-were-amateur-wrestlers-first-and-you-can/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [Wrestling for wrestling fans is an honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/wrestling-for-wrestling-fans-is-an-honor/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [Any time you can get Glenn Beck crying it's a good thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/any-time-you-can-get-glenn-beck-crying-it-s-a-good-thing/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [MMA fans and pro wrestling fans are similar in that they care about their sports very much. They want to see that you're serious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/mma-fans-and-pro-wrestling-fans-are-similar-in-that-they-care-about/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) > [For me, the wins and losses in pro wrestling never mattered. The thing that matters is the time on television to tell that story.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/for-me-the-wins-and-losses-in-pro-wrestling-never-mattered-the-thing/) [Jake Hager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) [Explore all 99 Jake Hager quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/) ## More Fight quotes > [“I wanted a fight. I needed a fight. I was sick and tired of playing nice. I AM NOT NICE. - Caleb”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-roberts/i-wanted-a-fight-i-needed-a-fight-i-was-sick-and-tired-of-playing/) [C.J. Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-roberts/) > [I used to fight with hate. There's been a lot of aggression in my past growing up and stuff. That's because I was hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-namajunas/i-used-to-fight-with-hate-there-s-been-a-lot-of-aggression-in-my-past/) [Rose Namajunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-namajunas/) > [You have to fight gravity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-wine/you-have-to-fight-gravity/) [Sherwin Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-wine/) > [I thought I fought a really good Orlando Salido. I never let him get into his fight. I knew what I needed to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikey-garcia/i-thought-i-fought-a-really-good-orlando-salido-i-never-let-him-get/) [Mikey Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikey-garcia/) > [If U.S. air, naval, missile, and ground forces were not in and around Korea, and if we were not treaty-bound to fight alongside South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/if-u-s-air-naval-missile-and-ground-forces-were-not-in-and-around/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [I am a fighter and I am in that fight and I have to make sure that I share the responsibility with my players…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-ten-hag/i-am-a-fighter-and-i-am-in-that-fight-and-i-have-to-make-sure-that-i/) [Erik ten Hag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-ten-hag/) > [I honestly would like to get that Frankie fight back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-mendes/i-honestly-would-like-to-get-that-frankie-fight-back/) [Chad Mendes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-mendes/) > [I'm looking to fight the best guys in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yair-rodriguez/i-m-looking-to-fight-the-best-guys-in-the-world/) [Yair Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yair-rodriguez/) > [I worked a lot in Chicago's theater scene as a fight choreographer. And so I do have a lot of experience in stage combat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-offerman/i-worked-a-lot-in-chicago-s-theater-scene-as-a-fight-choreographer/) [Nick Offerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-offerman/) > [I want to fight the fights that fans want to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/i-want-to-fight-the-fights-that-fans-want-to-see/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [We shall fight against them, throw them in prisons and destroy them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/we-shall-fight-against-them-throw-them-in-prisons-and-destroy-them/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [I really believe if GSP and Silva fight, Georges will have his hand raised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hughes/i-really-believe-if-gsp-and-silva-fight-georges-will-have-his-hand/) [Matt Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hughes/) > [We fight to defend our democratic ideals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lloyd-austin/we-fight-to-defend-our-democratic-ideals/) [Lloyd Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lloyd-austin/) > [Therefore, our fight must primarily be a political mass struggle with revolutionary goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-slovo/therefore-our-fight-must-primarily-be-a-political-mass-struggle-with/) [Joe Slovo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-slovo/) > [I always fight better when my opponent's angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-haye/i-always-fight-better-when-my-opponent-s-angry/) [David Haye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-haye/) [Browse all 9,748 Fight quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In my first fight, I acknowledged it. I'm a professional wrestler, this is who I am, who you know me as. But guess what, I've also been wrestling since I was 5 years old - real wrestling - amateur wrestling, Olympic wrestling.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jake Hager" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/in-my-first-fight-i-acknowledged-it-i-m-a-professional-wrestler-this/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fight" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/in-my-first-fight-i-acknowledged-it-i-m-a-professional-wrestler-this/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/jake-hager-6320_fight_in-my-first-fight-i-acknowledged-it-i-m_3027841.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/jake-hager-6320_fight_in-my-first-fight-i-acknowledged-it-i-m_3027841.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe4/jake-hager-6320_fight_in-my-first-fight-i-acknowledged-it-i-m_3027841.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“In my first fight, I acknowledged it. I'm a professional wrestler, this is who I am, who you know me as. But…” — Jake Hager", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jake Hager", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-hager/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "In my first fight, I acknowledged...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/in-my-first-fight-i-acknowledged-it-i-m-a-professional-wrestler-this/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-hager/in-my-first-fight-i-acknowledged-it-i-m-a-professional-wrestler-this/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```