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Athletes spend a lot of time and effort preparing for events. Big events like the Olympics see athletes prepare for years and compete for precious medals. Yet many times winning an Olympic medal may not guarantee a smooth life for said athletes. Former UFC star and now leading WWE wrestler Ronda Rousey was the first American ever to win a medal for the United States at the Olympics in Judo. Her effort came at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Ronda Rousey won the Bronze medal. Despite the prize money and the achievement. Ronda Rousey was working as a bartender and was homeless soon after the games ended.

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In her memoir, My Fight/ Your Fight, Ronda Rousey recounted the times she spent right after winning the medal. She was working as a bartender when she had to leave her mother’s house and she spent days in her car before getting a rundown apartment on lease.

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Ronda Rousey had to sleep in her car

While Ronda Rousey always comes out ready for a fight, She saw difficult days that must have tested her character after she won her Olympic medal. Rousey took a break from Judo as the training and the Olympic quest were keeping her unhappy. She wanted a break. Rousey wanted to break away from the routine, have a dog, and live a normal life. Between all this and her job, she missed an appointment for a community program. This pissed off her mother.

Read More: “If Anybody Tries to Stab Me Today, They Are Gonna Die”: Ronda Rousey Had Malicious Intent in Her Head After Being Forced to a Dangerous Road During Her World Championships

A scared Rousey chose not to go home. In her book she mentioned, I had a knot in my stomach. I couldn’t answer her. She was fucking pissed. Mad enough that I didn’t want to go home. I drove to Hollywood and went to a bar. I drank by myself and realized that I couldn’t go back to my mom’s house. But I had nowhere else to go.I am a homeless Olympic medalist, I thought to myself.

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Ronda Rousey worked three jobs to take care of her dog

Ronda Rousey lived alone for a while. She worked three jobs as a cocktail waitress and as a bartender at a couple of more places. She got herself an Australian Mastiff and used $35 from all her shifts to take care of her dog. Rousey was spending her time drinking and eating to her heart’s content. She later went on to join the UFC and made a successful career in MMA before moving on to WWE.

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Rousey fans know her for her unabashed attitude. Her life gave her many experiences and she became the remarkable athlete she is today. Do you think Ronda Rousey did the right thing by taking a break from Judo? Let us know.

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Watch This Story: USA Judo Ran Out of Money as Ronda Rousey Unexpectedly Broke their Corrupt system during her Rookie Dy