Exclusive Interview with Kevin Ross- mind of a Champion

VIDEO: Exclusive video of KEVIN THE SOUL ASSASSIN ROSS “RESURRECTION”

Winning and losing, often comes down to the fighter who is mentally the strongest.One fighter who is well known for his mental strength is Kevin Ross. Whenever you watch Kevin in the ring, win, lose or draw, you can always expect him to give it everything he has.

While some fighters are quick to make excuses when they lose, Kevin owns up to his losses. This “don’t be a bitch” attitude, is what separates Kevin from the rest of the pack.Over the course of his career, he has consistently been a shining example of what it really means to be a Muay Thai fighter. He doesn’t care about records, all he cares about is going out and giving it 100% in everything he does. Everyone can learn a little something from Kevin’s approach to life, whether you train Muay Thai or not.

In this interview, Kevin Ross talks about what it takes to develop the mind of a champion. We cover a number of very important topics including: what it means to have “Heart,” mental toughness, staying focused, overtraining, and dealing with fear. Whether you are serious about Muay Thai or not, there are a lot of important life lessons that can be learned from this interview. Enjoy.

Kevin Ross Interview:
Over the course of your career, you have always been known as the guy who never gives up. Anytime you fight, regardless of the outcome, you always leave everything out there. The word HEART has been used to describe a number of these traits. What do you think it means for someone to have “Heart” in Muay Thai?

Kevin Ross Interview 3Kevin Ross: For someone to have heart it Muay Thai it’s all about that never say die attitude. No matter how high the odds are stacked against you, no matter the outlook or how many times you’ve been down, cut or hurt, you keep pushing and give it every ounce of yourself until that final bell sounds.

To me someone that has heart never changes how they fight, regardless of whether or not they are winning or losing. It’s about giving it everything you have no matter what. To me that’s the most valuable thing in fighting, and in life. Some might say anyone that steps in the ring has heart, which I used to believe myself, but there are plenty who don’t. I’ve actually written on that very subject in the past.

The Power of the Mind
Something that you’ve talked about is the importance of not making excuses and never giving up. When I read your story about how you felt like the weakest person in the world because you couldn’t finish your sprints on the treadmill (after suffering a broken rib), I couldn’t help but think you were not normal. 99% of people in that situation would have gotten off the treadmill without any guilt, but you felt sick to your stomach.

Where did you develop this no excuses, never quit attitude from? Have you always been like this growing up (before Muay Thai) or is it something that has gotten stronger as you gained more experience?

Kevin Ross InterviewKevin Ross: I think this is something you have or you don’t; however, I do feel that it can be strengthened, or weakened, through experiences. I think a big part of it for me can be credited to the fact that I got such a late start in the fight game, that and the fact it’s what saved me from alcoholism, and other things that would have inevitably cut my life short.From the beginning it was all or nothing. I would never hold back or short change myself. I’ve always felt I had so much more to prove of myself because I was so late to the game. Giving up was never even a consideration. I’ve always been an all or nothing. Which can be good or bad depending on the situation, my alcoholism being a negative one.

The mind is a powerful weapon in fighting. It can either be your best friend or your worst enemy. You’ve talked about how people need to stop making excuses as to why they can’t do something and find a way to do it. Small choices people make over time help shape who they are as a fighter and person. A lot of people make a few good choices, but then make the bad ones as well.Do you have any tricks that you use to keep yourself on the right path when it comes to training and keeping focused on your goals?

Kevin Ross: Well I’d say in life in general it’s about taking every opportunity, not just in the gym or in a fight, but in your everyday life, to work on your self-control. It can be something as simple as not eating that piece of chocolate. Now you know it won’t help you but will it hurt you? Probably not.

I find too many of us take that approach to life. The “It’s not that bad” mindset. I feel if it can’t help you, and can only hurt, then why do it? Will that one beer a month out really affect you? Will that one day off really slow you down? Doubtful, but they definitely will not help, and in a situation where you need 100% of yourself, which still may not be enough, do you really want to risk it. And that’s the thing. Most of us don’t view these little ‘weaknesses’ as anything, but they truly are the things that define you.

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