I always knew I wanted to have a family because I didn't have one growing up.

From a kid who didn't come from much success growing up but watched Muhammad Ali and Hulk Hogan, to where I am today... I tell kids, 'You can achieve anything you want as long as you stick with it.'

Fighting is my livelihood, and jeopardizing my body without a full understanding of conditions doesn't make any sense. No professional fighter will go into a risky match without a contract.

I've been able to mature and improve my mixed martial arts game completely; I just never stop learning, and whenever I think I know enough, I just keep working and do more.

I'm concentrating on my career, which is my top priority. The rest will follow eventually.

You are overwhelmed, overscheduled, and dejected because you keep trying to have it all - or at least most of it. You want a fulfilling job and personal life, and it's not working. The way out? Work more.

I would say my career is in a very good place. I'm in a place of a lot of hope for what's next. I see something great, but I'm not quite there.

I could have easily never worked again after 'Precious.' I could be back at my receptionist job and no one would be surprised, but I'm having a very crazy little career that no one thought would happen. Although that was never the plan.