--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I started training, I was a natural, and…" description: "\"I started training, I was a natural, and four months later I was in the cage for the first time.\" — Raquel Pennington" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c0/raquel-pennington-12899_cage_i-started-training-i-was-a-natural-and-f_840266.jpg" --- # I started training, I was a natural, and four months later… ![“I started training, I was a natural, and four months later I was in the cage for the first time.” quote by Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c0/raquel-pennington-12899_cage_i-started-training-i-was-a-natural-and-f_840266.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c0/raquel-pennington-12899_cage_i-started-training-i-was-a-natural-and-f_840266.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c0/raquel-pennington-12899_cage_i-started-training-i-was-a-natural-and-f_840266.jpg) > “I started training, I was a natural, and four months later I was in the cage for the first time.” [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She discovered that natural talent alone isn’t enough; disciplined training led to competition. **In simple terms:** Talent needs hard work to succeed. Key Takeaway Train consistently, not rely on talent alone. Themes discipline training competition Mood determined reflective Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - gym routine - pre‑fight preparation - career planning Key Concepts skill development mindset growth Questions to Reflect On - Do you rely on talent or effort? - How will you improve your discipline? A Different Perspective Talent can be overestimated without effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cage/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) ## Related quotes > [When I first started training, I guess the fact that I was undersized, it just didn't register initially. Obviously, I knew I wasn't huge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-aries/when-i-first-started-training-i-guess-the-fact-that-i-was-undersized/) [Austin Aries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-aries/) > [When you bat, you need to have a lot of patience. I started training for it from the age of eight or nine. So,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammad-azharuddin/when-you-bat-you-need-to-have-a-lot-of-patience-i-started-training/) [Mohammad Azharuddin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammad-azharuddin/) > [I do think everything that happens in American pop culture sort of prescribes for England and does end up happening there six months later,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-forrest/i-do-think-everything-that-happens-in-american-pop-culture-sort-of/) [Emma Forrest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-forrest/) > [I did eight months of training for 'Wimbledon,' and then, by the time I finished the movie another four months later, I was like,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-bettany/i-did-eight-months-of-training-for-wimbledon-and-then-by-the-time-i/) [Paul Bettany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-bettany/) > [“That must have been some serious Island voodoo: the ending I saw in the cave came true. The next day we went back to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junot-diaz/that-must-have-been-some-serious-island-voodoo-the-ending-i-saw-in/) [Junot Díaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junot-diaz/) > [Two months later at a party, Bernard pulled me into a closet and proposed. I said yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelley-duvall/two-months-later-at-a-party-bernard-pulled-me-into-a-closet-and/) [Shelley Duvall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelley-duvall/) > [“Everything changed, and eleven months later, here I was in the middle of the night with a gungho major, playing secret agent, hoping some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-r-benn/everything-changed-and-eleven-months-later-here-i-was-in-the-middle/) [James R. Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-r-benn/) > [“Six months later, I was poor, pregnant, and married to a man who read Dogfu\*\*er magazine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-o-donnell/six-months-later-i-was-poor-pregnant-and-married-to-a-man-who-read/) [Rebecca O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-o-donnell/) > [I was in jail, and I got signed three months later.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yg/i-was-in-jail-and-i-got-signed-three-months-later/) YG > [I started out doing something little. I went to Africa to spend five weeks putting roofs on a building. I seen the small child…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-childers/i-started-out-doing-something-little-i-went-to-africa-to-spend-five/) [Sam Childers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-childers/) > [I read some books, and I thought, 'This is better than sliced bread!' and a month later, I couldn't remember thinking about it. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-read-some-books-and-i-thought-this-is-better-than-sliced-bread-and/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [Whenever I see a stock market explode, six to 12 months later you are in a full blown recovery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-druckenmiller/whenever-i-see-a-stock-market-explode-six-to-12-months-later-you-are/) [Stanley Druckenmiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-druckenmiller/) > [“Six months later, Maureen stabbed Mom.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-walls/six-months-later-maureen-stabbed-mom/) [Jeannette Walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-walls/) > [Even six months later, they have not figured out how do we help the people from the area get housing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-tubbs-jones/even-six-months-later-they-have-not-figured-out-how-do-we-help-the/) [Stephanie Tubbs Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-tubbs-jones/) > [When you're single again, at the beginning you're very optimistic and you say, 'I want to meet someone who's really smart, really sweet, really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-leifer/when-you-re-single-again-at-the-beginning-you-re-very-optimistic-and/) [Carol Leifer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-leifer/) ## More by Raquel Pennington > [I have amazing love and support that surrounds me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/i-have-amazing-love-and-support-that-surrounds-me/) [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) > [Amanda's accomplished so many things in her career, to where if she's satisfied can she walk away, for sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/amanda-s-accomplished-so-many-things-in-her-career-to-where-if-she-s/) [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) > [I went through a couple rough weight cuts and said, 'We've got to figure this out. I don't want to struggle each time.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/i-went-through-a-couple-rough-weight-cuts-and-said-we-ve-got-to/) [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) > [Miesha has established a huge name for herself, and we have a storyline from our relationship on 'TUF.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/miesha-has-established-a-huge-name-for-herself-and-we-have-a/) [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) > [Having a title shot and then having it taken away broke me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/having-a-title-shot-and-then-having-it-taken-away-broke-me/) [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) > [I just love challenges and as an athlete, we have a short window in all this. So I want to fight, I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/i-just-love-challenges-and-as-an-athlete-we-have-a-short-window-in/) [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) > [I'm confident in all matchups.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/i-m-confident-in-all-matchups/) [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) > [It's hard for me to say I'm hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/it-s-hard-for-me-to-say-i-m-hurt/) [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) > [Obviously the ultimate goal, give me that world title shot. Give me that No. 1 contender spot. But if they don't want to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/obviously-the-ultimate-goal-give-me-that-world-title-shot-give-me/) [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) > [I'm covered in tattoos, I have muscles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/i-m-covered-in-tattoos-i-have-muscles/) [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) > [I didn't realize I had structure in my life until I was only allowed to lay on the couch and just watch TV and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/i-didn-t-realize-i-had-structure-in-my-life-until-i-was-only-allowed/) [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) > [I was hugely into basketball and then I broke my back snowboarding. I was rehabbing and working out in my gym and saw a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/i-was-hugely-into-basketball-and-then-i-broke-my-back-snowboarding-i/) [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) > [I had three major surgeries after I fought Miesha. I had my shoulder completely redone, my right shoulder. And then I had to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/i-had-three-major-surgeries-after-i-fought-miesha-i-had-my-shoulder/) [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) > [Everybody brings a different challenge to you and Cyborg, yeah, she's built a reputation for herself. She's known as the most dangerous woman on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/everybody-brings-a-different-challenge-to-you-and-cyborg-yeah-she-s/) [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) > [I told my coach, 'I'm going to fight one day for the UFC world championship.' And he laughed, 'That's not even possible. How are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/i-told-my-coach-i-m-going-to-fight-one-day-for-the-ufc-world/) [Raquel Pennington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) [Explore all 52 Raquel Pennington quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/) ## More Cage quotes > [“The cage has gotten bigger, and we can expect bigger beasts from it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-mallory/the-cage-has-gotten-bigger-and-we-can-expect-bigger-beasts-from-it/) Jason Mallory > [“If you can choose your way into a cage, you can choose your way out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-kempton/if-you-can-choose-your-way-into-a-cage-you-can-choose-your-way-out/) [Beth Kempton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-kempton/) > [If you have the mentality that Jon Jones has when he steps into the cage, no one will beat you on the mat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-anderson/if-you-have-the-mentality-that-jon-jones-has-when-he-steps-into-the/) [Corey Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-anderson/) > [I underestimated the difference of fighting in a cage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mirko-cro-cop/i-underestimated-the-difference-of-fighting-in-a-cage/) [Mirko Cro Cop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mirko-cro-cop/) > [“Because knowledge is only a cage if you dwell in isolation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penny-reid/because-knowledge-is-only-a-cage-if-you-dwell-in-isolation/) [Penny Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penny-reid/) > [What do you fear, lady?' he asked. 'A cage,' she said.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-do-you-fear-lady-he-asked-a-cage-she-said/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Soon, I found myself locked in my own cage of fear and desperation, where my experience of life was getting smaller and smaller.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-moorjani/soon-i-found-myself-locked-in-my-own-cage-of-fear-and-desperation/) [Anita Moorjani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-moorjani/) > [Everyone at home sitting on their couches, they think it's so easy to fight. Stepping inside that cage is probably the hardest thing in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-cerrone/everyone-at-home-sitting-on-their-couches-they-think-it-s-so-easy-to/) [Donald Cerrone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-cerrone/) > [It's life or death for me every single time I step in the cage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-gaethje/it-s-life-or-death-for-me-every-single-time-i-step-in-the-cage/) [Justin Gaethje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-gaethje/) > [The sight of a cage is only frightening to the bird that has once been caught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-field/the-sight-of-a-cage-is-only-frightening-to-the-bird-that-has-once/) [Rachel Field](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-field/) > [“Do you want to be kept in a little cage? No! Because it is a horror! But then why do you keep a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/do-you-want-to-be-kept-in-a-little-cage-no-because-it-is-a-horror-but/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > ['Luke Cage' is a gift. There's so many different ways you can look at it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrian-younge/luke-cage-is-a-gift-there-s-so-many-different-ways-you-can-look-at-it/) [Adrian Younge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrian-younge/) > [“They let us be, here, in the cage of our ignorance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/they-let-us-be-here-in-the-cage-of-our-ignorance/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [Tis Vanth's cage. You can just move it out of the way." "I already have," he grumbles. "With my shin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/tis-vanth-s-cage-you-can-just-move-it-out-of-the-way-i-already-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Don’t be a bird that can be restricted from flying by putting in the cage. Be the one, which can fly with the cage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lovely-goyal/don-t-be-a-bird-that-can-be-restricted-from-flying-by-putting-in-the/) [Lovely Goyal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lovely-goyal/) [Browse all 431 Cage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cage/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I started training, I was a natural, and four months later I was in the cage for the first time.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Raquel Pennington" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/i-started-training-i-was-a-natural-and-four-months-later-i-was-in-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cage" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/i-started-training-i-was-a-natural-and-four-months-later-i-was-in-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c0/raquel-pennington-12899_cage_i-started-training-i-was-a-natural-and-f_840266.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c0/raquel-pennington-12899_cage_i-started-training-i-was-a-natural-and-f_840266.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9c0/raquel-pennington-12899_cage_i-started-training-i-was-a-natural-and-f_840266.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I started training, I was a natural, and four months later I was in the cage for the first time.” — Raquel Pennington", "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": "Raquel Pennington", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raquel-pennington/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I started training, I was a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/i-started-training-i-was-a-natural-and-four-months-later-i-was-in-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raquel-pennington/i-started-training-i-was-a-natural-and-four-months-later-i-was-in-the/#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 } } ] } ```