Life is only going to get harder, don’t wait for things to get better, work hard and get stronger so you can take on the challenges ahead. The harder you work the less damage you take in the storms. Believe in yourself, be the example.
Khalil Rountree
fight
Las Vegas, NV
UFC fighter Khalil Rountree is no stranger to adversity. As a child, Khalil tragically lost his father and struggled to find his sense of purpose. Hoping to regain control of his mental and physical health, he enrolled in a local MMA gym, committed himself to the process, moved to Thailand to improve his Muay Thai practice, and the rest is history. Now, the light heavyweight contender is determined to keep the wins coming and use his platform to shine a light on the power of perseverance.
- UFC RECORD: 12-5-0
- Currently ranked #14 Light Heavyweight in the World
10 MINUTES WITH KHALIL
Q: WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR TWENTY-YEAR OLD SELF?
Q: WITH ANY NEW MODALITY YOU GET INTO, HOW DO YOU APPROACH IT IN ORDER TO MASTER?
Like anything in life, when we speak of the pursuit of mastery I believe it takes two things. Time and Discipline. Approach can be like motivation, a short term, quick fix to get us to do something we’re afraid of. Most of the time we just need to throw ourselves in to the fire and survive through will.
Q: WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM FITNESS THAT HAVE SERVED YOU THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE?
Growth hurts.
Q: DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE FAILURE? HOW HAS THAT SET YOU UP FOR LATER SUCCESS?
I don’t have a favorite failure, i know failure is important and we learn from it, but i haven’t mastered that idea yet. I’m still not comfortable with failing. But i don’t run from it or let it bring me down, if I fail i don’t let it eat me alive I just get up and go at it again.
Q: WHAT'S THE ONE WORKOUT YOU ALWAYS DREAD? WHAT'S THE ONE WORKOUT YOU ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO? WHY?
I have a love hate relationship with the assault bike. It’s the ultimate equalizer. But in a weird way i always look forward to it because I like seeing improvements in my results.
Q: WHY DO YOU PRIORITIZE FITNESS IN YOUR LIFE?
Because without my health I’m as good as dead.
Q: WHAT IDEA, PERSON OR BOOK HAS BEEN THE MOST INFLUENTIAL IN YOUR LIFE? WHY?
My coach Lorenzo has been the most influential person to me, he’s 57 years old and can outgrind any person I know. He encourages me, inspires me, and I learn most of my ideas and lifestyle from him.
Q: WHAT'S ON YOUR FITNESS BUCKET LIST?
I want to train with an NFL team.
