The True Definition of a Fighter

Often people see the word fighter and think about the “Fight of the Century”, Mayweather vs Pacquiao. Though fighter has that connotation of one who picks fights, the true meaning of wanting to be a fighter is often overshadowed. The definition fighter with the meaning “ a person with the will, courage, determination, ability, or disposition to fight, struggle, resist, etc.” is often disregarded. However it is that very definition that I want to bring light to. Repeatedly, on applications and interviews I’m asked describe yourself in three words. At the young age of 16 I would use the words kind, friendly and honest. As amazing as those adjectives are, I’ve realized that when asked now I want to be able to answer with the words: fighter, empathetic and resilient.

I grew up in a city where the kids I went to high school with were more concerned about the new car they were getting for the 16th birthday, than the food they would eat that night. They were more concerned about the kind of high end shoes they were gonna buy than worrying about how they would afford those shoes. I would like to say we weren’t spoiled bratty rich kids, but in reality that was what we were. Don’t get me wrong not everyone was like that but a good majority were. It was so ubiquitous that many people started assuming that material possessions were a measurement of the quality of their life.

Though I grew up in a rich area, my family always taught me to be humble and grounded. When I moved a few summers ago I was in a new environment. An environment that was filled with families who were barely above the poverty line. Families that were constantly worried about where they would sleep and what they would eat. Families where the term family was nothing but an umbrella term with no real truth. With that perspective change I started to wonder what makes these kids different. When their lives are a 100x harder than mine, what makes them not want to give up? What makes them want to push through the hurdles and finish school? I mean let’s be real we all know it’s a lot easier to give up and accept the “fate” we are born into. However I quickly realized that these kids had an x factor. Something that forced them not to give into their current lifestyle. They had a burning urge to push through and create a new path for themselves. These are the people I would call fighters.

I’ve been very fortunate to be surrounded by those who are fighters, from my very own mom to the kids in my neighborhood. Before I wrote this post I told myself that I couldn’t call myself a fighter because I hadn’t endured true hardships; however, I’m reconsidering that. Don’t get me wrong I’ve been privileged to live a great life with no real struggles, but I’m wondering do I have to go through something life changing to call myself a fighter? What if I redefined that word to mean someone who doesn’t give up when the tough gets going. Personally I would consider myself very resilient. I don’t back down easily and I never let failure define me but rather allow failures to help me grow as a person. I believe if we all accepted our failures we can better ourselves. Perhaps a true fighter has gone through a life changing “started from the bottom” moment, however I think I have gone through a fair share of hurdles to call myself a fighter. I think it is in the human nature not to give up but for some odd reason we are often told to stop trying if it’s not working. I, however, encourage you to push yourself through those boundaries, to take on your own battles and have the privilege and pride in calling yourself a fighter.