--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I didn't really believe in myself. Why…" description: "\"I didn't really believe in myself. Why should a young kid from Des Moines, Iowa, be a world champion?\" — Jeremy Stephens" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/651/jeremy-stephens-5067_believe_i-didn-t-really-believe-in-myself-why-sh_2161782.jpg" --- # I didn't really believe in myself. Why should a young kid… ![“I didn't really believe in myself. Why should a young kid from Des Moines, Iowa, be a world champion?” quote by Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/651/jeremy-stephens-5067_believe_i-didn-t-really-believe-in-myself-why-sh_2161782.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/651/jeremy-stephens-5067_believe_i-didn-t-really-believe-in-myself-why-sh_2161782.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/651/jeremy-stephens-5067_believe_i-didn-t-really-believe-in-myself-why-sh_2161782.jpg) > “I didn't really believe in myself. Why should a young kid from Des Moines, Iowa, be a world champion?” [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He questions self‑doubt, emphasizing that background doesn’t limit potential for greatness. **In simple terms:** Self‑doubt blocks potential, regardless of origin. Key Takeaway Believe beyond your roots. Themes confidence ambition overcoming doubt Mood motivational inspirational Type empowering determined When to use this quote - sports competitions - career planning - personal development Key Concepts sociology mindset achievement Questions to Reflect On - What internal narratives limit your aspirations? - How can you reframe doubt into drive? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on origin can ignore systemic barriers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Champion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/champion/) [Des moines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/des-moines/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World champion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-champion/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/) ## Related quotes > [I believe in young love, for sure, but I believe love does change depending on your life experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lola-young/i-believe-in-young-love-for-sure-but-i-believe-love-does-change/) [Lola Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lola-young/) > [I believe young people need rules. They will respond to discipline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-starkey/i-believe-young-people-need-rules-they-will-respond-to-discipline/) [David Starkey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-starkey/) > [I believe every young women needs to know that though you may have to struggle and strive to achieve your dreams, you can have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-jacobson/i-believe-every-young-women-needs-to-know-that-though-you-may-have-to/) [Eric Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-jacobson/) > [We want to believe. Young students try to believe in older authors, constituents try to believe in their Congressmen, countries try to believe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/we-want-to-believe-young-students-try-to-believe-in-older-authors/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [I was trained as an actor and taught to believe at a very young age that I could be anything and do anything, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brosnan/i-was-trained-as-an-actor-and-taught-to-believe-at-a-very-young-age/) [Pierce Brosnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brosnan/) > ['m be yuonger in my family, but I believe that being young, dont stop me to being an inspiration to other people...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gisel-rifmily/m-be-yuonger-in-my-family-but-i-believe-that-being-young-dont-stop-me/) [Gisel Rifmily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gisel-rifmily/) > [But with country trap, I in no way want to take credit for that. I believe Young Thug would be one of the biggest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-nas-x/but-with-country-trap-i-in-no-way-want-to-take-credit-for-that-i/) [Lil Nas X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-nas-x/) > [“Believe me, young lady, when I tell you that there is no place for you in his world of ghosts and nightmares — no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-fielding/believe-me-young-lady-when-i-tell-you-that-there-is-no-place-for-you/) [Hannah Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-fielding/) > [Believe that you can run farther or faster. Believe that you're young enough, old enough, strong enough, and so on to accomplish everything you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bingham/believe-that-you-can-run-farther-or-faster-believe-that-you-re-young/) [John Bingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bingham/) > [“You have everything you need within you to become the best possible version of yourself. Believe that you CAN. Believe that you’re capable of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-angel-affect/you-have-everything-you-need-within-you-to-become-the-best-possible/) The Angel Affect > [The hardest thing to believe when you're young is that people will fight to stay in a rut, but not to get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/the-hardest-thing-to-believe-when-you-re-young-is-that-people-will/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [I believe that young kids have agency and can make a difference in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-paige/i-believe-that-young-kids-have-agency-and-can-make-a-difference-in/) [Peter Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-paige/) > [We believe that every single child has boundless promise, no matter who they are, where they come from, or how much money their parents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/we-believe-that-every-single-child-has-boundless-promise-no-matter/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [When we are young we believe to be adults; when we are adults we believe to be young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-bittencourt-de-oliveira/when-we-are-young-we-believe-to-be-adults-when-we-are-adults-we/) Simone Bittencourt de Oliveira > [If I believe I'm still a young kid, it's hindering me. I am leading the line for Everton so you have to grow into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-calvert-lewin/if-i-believe-i-m-still-a-young-kid-it-s-hindering-me-i-am-leading-the/) [Dominic Calvert-Lewin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominic-calvert-lewin/) ## More by Jeremy Stephens > [I think me and Cub Swanson could be a title fight with the way we perform. We're two great athletes, we're stand up guys,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/i-think-me-and-cub-swanson-could-be-a-title-fight-with-the-way-we/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) > [I don't hit bunts, I hit home runs. That's what I do, dude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/i-don-t-hit-bunts-i-hit-home-runs-that-s-what-i-do-dude/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) > [We sign contracts to fight, not to dip, duck and dodge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/we-sign-contracts-to-fight-not-to-dip-duck-and-dodge/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) > [I don't like sitting and waiting for opponents six months down the road. I'd rather fight once every three months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/i-don-t-like-sitting-and-waiting-for-opponents-six-months-down-the/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) > [If you're going to take away our sponsors, why not bump it up to $100,000 for a fight bonus? Let us scrap it out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/if-you-re-going-to-take-away-our-sponsors-why-not-bump-it-up-to-100/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) > [I feel like I'm very humble and always watch what I say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/i-feel-like-i-m-very-humble-and-always-watch-what-i-say/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) > [I'm able to punch you in the face. I'm able to do a lot of things, keep you away from me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/i-m-able-to-punch-you-in-the-face-i-m-able-to-do-a-lot-of-things-keep/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) > [I think Jake Paul's got some skills, man. I think a lot of people kind of estimate this guy. I think he actually is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/i-think-jake-paul-s-got-some-skills-man-i-think-a-lot-of-people-kind/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) > [I love Muhammad Ali and Jake LaMotta. I've always watched those old classic boxing matches. I like the way they fought. They came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/i-love-muhammad-ali-and-jake-lamotta-i-ve-always-watched-those-old/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) > [I don't mean to hit people in the back of the head, but if they turn, it's not my problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/i-don-t-mean-to-hit-people-in-the-back-of-the-head-but-if-they-turn/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) > [As a fighter, as someone who wants to be a champion, you feel you can beat everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/as-a-fighter-as-someone-who-wants-to-be-a-champion-you-feel-you-can/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) > [The key is to always get better and be able to improve and make adjustments in between fights, rounds and minutes. If you want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/the-key-is-to-always-get-better-and-be-able-to-improve-and-make/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) > [You find out what type of man you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/you-find-out-what-type-of-man-you-are/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) > [Some days you show up and just get crushed, and other days you do the crushing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/some-days-you-show-up-and-just-get-crushed-and-other-days-you-do-the/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) > [My biggest weapon is my mentality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stephens/my-biggest-weapon-is-my-mentality/) [Jeremy Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) [Explore all 103 Jeremy Stephens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stephens/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I didn't really believe in myself. 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