Voice of the Athlete: Viviana Ruiz
We had the opportunity to interview Viviana Ruiz, a boxer on her way to making her professional debut. She is a Team Australia Women’s World Champion, an Olympic qualifier, and a boxing coach. She is the ultimate “Rocky” underdog, making her a people’s champion. Let’s listen to the Voice of the Athlete: Viviana Ruiz and learn more about her journey as an athlete and an inspiration.
Viviana is originally from Colombia and went to Australia to study English and find better life opportunities than the ones she had in her country.
Question: What is your biggest source of motivation as a boxer?
Voice of the Athlete: I have always been a competitive person. I never liked team sports. You always have to depend on others to win, and you don’t always get the credit you deserve. When I first got involved in boxing, I realized I was the only woman in the gym who wanted to compete. And around Australia, there were only a few female boxers. Around 2010, the Olympic association approved women boxers to compete in the 2012 Olympics. And that was it!!! My goal right there. It was a crazy one. I was 31 years old, had never boxed before, and was from another country. I have crossed countless hurdles to get where I am. My biggest motivation, I will say, is being a female that started very late in a sport managed by men.
Question: As a Team Australia World Champion, how do you handle the pressure of winning fights?
Voice of the Athlete: To be honest, I always put this pressure on myself during my training. Every time I have a session in the gym (pad work, sparring, sprints weights, etc.), my mind is set on raising my hand and winning Gold. Training is where you practice everything. I train in different scenarios of life, so when the fight happens, I’ve already trained it.
Some of the things that could happen before and during the fight:
- You hurt your hand
- You feel tired
- Your legs are not working.
- You have your period.
- You have a different coach in your corner
When it happens in a fight, I have a backup plan. And I bring to my mind all the hard work I have done during my training camp. Also, experience is so important! That is why I had over 60 fights in only 5 years. I took any fight available. I fought at different weight divisions, against different experience levels of other boxers, and took every loss like it was one more training session. You can only learn from them and be better. I come from a country where we are very happy even though you don’t have the resources or opportunities given in a first-world country such as Australia. And we always find a way. We always push to the limits. And fight to be the best. In the same way, you train your body, you need to train your mind. You need to go to that dark place and feel comfortable there!!! You can only grow from there.
Question: How do you mentally prepare before each fight?
Voice of the Athlete: Remembering all my training and focus on the things I have been working on over and over again. I have a wall with my victories, my family, and my goals. It helps me to remember where I want to go and where I started.
Question: Did you ever experience pre-fight anxiety, and how did you push past it?
Voice of the Athlete: I feel like it's always there. You want to win, and that thought can distract you. It happened a few times at the beginning of my career, but with time, I learned to be present. That's my biggest advice to anyone. Be present and focus on the moment. Feel when you put on your socks, your boxing boots, the wraps, the uniform, the pad work with your coach, and the words he is saying. I don't use music as a distraction because I want to stay focused. I have a job to do, and I want to enjoy every minute of being the star.
To learn more about focusing with distractions as an athlete: https://mentalaccelerator.com/resource/lucidity/how-to-be-more-focused
Question: Have you ever experienced or seen someone having a paralyzing fear during a fight?
Voice of the Athlete: Yes, I have seen many people experience fear during a fight, including some of my students. It's okay; it's all part of the experience.
Question: Do you practice visualization, and how does it help you?
Voice of the Athlete: I learned to visualize during training. Boxing is an unfair sport where the decision is not always in your hands. Referees get paid, and racism exists. I have experienced it, and the decision has gone against me. Therefore, I visualize during my training. I give everything there, and when I jump in the ring, I know I have worked hard for an amazing performance.
Question: What do you fear the most, and how do you manage it to keep your head focused during training and competitions?
Voice of the Athlete: My fear is not performing well. However, I learned that even if I lose, I will be happy because I gave everything I had. And put all I worked for into practice during the fight. As I always say, "With boxing, the only person responsible for the results is you. There is no one to blame but yourself."
Question: Have you suffered injuries that took you out of training, and how did you make your way back mentally?
Voice of the Athlete: No, I haven't suffered any physical injuries, but I had a really bad anxiety episode for a couple of months. I overtrained and didn't prioritize recovery, vitamins, and food as important as training. It was a hard lesson, and it took me a long time to recover.
Question: How long have you been a coach?
Voice of the Athlete: I have been a coach for three years now under the wing of my Coach/Partner Ben Savva.
Question: What do you enjoy most about being a coach?
Voice of the Athlete: Changing people's lives. It also helps me to remember what boxing means to me. Whether it's your first or tenth fight or even a world title, the emotions are all the same and equally important.
Question: How do you help the athletes you coach stay motivated on days when they don't feel like training?
Voice of the Athlete: I inspire them through my work ethic. They see that I am not only telling them what to do but also working hard alongside them. The athletes see me training, fighting, crying, sweating, bleeding, and feeling pain. They see my will to help them succeed.
Question: What advice do you give your athletes about maintaining focus when under pressure?
Voice of the Athlete: I talk to them a lot and keep them present. I remind them how hard they have worked and how ready they are. Because I never take anyone unprepared for a fight. NEVER. If they are not willing to do the work, neither do I!
Question: What advice would you give to other athletes on how not to overthink during a fight?
Voice of the Athlete: Practice meditation and stay present. Work hard during training. The performance in the ring is what matters, and the result is out of your hands. So go there and have fun:)
Question: What is the greatest piece of advice you've ever received?
Voice of the Athlete: "Records are for DJs, not athletes."
Question: What advice would you give your 12-year-old self?
Voice of the Athlete: Start boxing :) Follow your coach's advice. They know better. Don’t let anyone say you cannot do it as long as you love it! Boxing needs real passion. It is not for everyone.
Question: Who are your role models both in and out of sport?
Voice of the Athlete: My coach is so passionate. He breathes boxing. He wants to change so many bad things in the sport and teach real boxing. David Goggins helped me get to a place where you are so uncomfortable that I just want to quit, but there is another 40% there.
Question: What fight are you training for now?
Voice of the Athlete: I am preparing for my professional debut!!! I am super excited. Let the fun begin:)
Her partner, coach, and professional boxer Ben Savva describe her as the hardest working boxer he has ever trained.
"She’s an absolute monster. Viviana is the classic 'Rocky' underdog story. She started too late, was too old, and was from a foreign country with no network or family support. Viviana is a people’s champion. She is an inspiration and proof that you can achieve your goals with hard work no matter the level you start at." - Ben Savva
She was involved in a fundraising effort with the Headspace organization. This foundation works with a mission to strengthen the mental health and well-being of young Australians. The 2020 Push Challenge highlighted the devastating number of Australian lives lost to suicide in 2018. 3,046 push-ups for 3,046 lives lost to suicide. To learn more about this organization, visit their website.
Let’s listen to the Voice of the Athlete: Viviana Ruiz.
Takeaway 1: Every time I have a session in the gym (pad work, sparring, sprints, weights, etc.), my mind is set on raising my hand and winning Gold.
Takeaway 2: In the same way you train your body, you need to train your mind. You need to go to that dark place and feel comfortable there! You can only grow from there.
Takeaway 3: Viviana is the classic "Rocky" underdog story. She started too late, was too old, and was from a foreign country with no network or family support. Viviana is a people’s champion.
Follow Viviana and support her as she makes her professional debut as a boxer: @boxer_ruiz.