Nicola Adams Quotes

Powerful Nicola Adams for Daily Growth

About Nicola Adams

Nicola Adams MBE, born on October 20, 1982, in Leeds, England, is a trailblazing British author, boxer, and Olympic gold medalist. Known for her resilience and determination, Adams made history as the first-ever female boxing champion at the Olympic Games, winning gold twice in the bantamweight division - London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016. Before stepping into the ring, Adams grew up in a loving family with five siblings, where her mother instilled a strong work ethic and values of self-belief and perseverance. These qualities would later define her career as an athlete and author. In 2001, she began boxing at the age of 18, quickly rising through the ranks due to her natural talent and relentless dedication to the sport. In addition to her athletic achievements, Adams is also a respected author. Her memoir, "Becoming: London 2012, My Olympics," published in 2017, offers an intimate look into her journey from growing up in a working-class family to becoming an Olympic champion. The book is a testament to her resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, inspiring readers with her powerful story of overcoming obstacles to achieve greatness. Adams continues to break barriers as an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, body positivity, and mental health awareness. In 2021, she was appointed MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II for her services to boxing and charity work. Today, Adams stands as a role model and an inspiration to millions around the world, proving that with hard work, determination, and self-belief, one can overcome any obstacle and achieve their dreams.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'm not just fighting for myself. I'm fighting for every young black girl who would love to do what I've done."

This quote, spoken by boxing legend Nicola Adams, reveals a deep sense of responsibility and solidarity with the younger generation. By saying she's not just fighting for herself, Adams emphasizes her personal journey in the ring is intertwined with the aspirations and dreams of young black girls who aspire to achieve what she has accomplished. This quote underscores her commitment to breaking barriers, inspiring future generations, and proving that success is possible for everyone, regardless of race or background.


"Boxing is my passion and it's a huge part of my identity."

This quote by Nicola Adams conveys that boxing is not just a sport or hobby for her, but an integral aspect of her personality and life. It expresses a deep emotional connection, where boxing serves as a powerful expression of who she is, indicating a strong identity tied to the sport.


"In the ring, I have to be confident because if I'm not, then there's no way I'll win."

The quote by Nicola Adams emphasizes the crucial role of self-confidence in athletic competition. She suggests that within the context of boxing, confidence is a necessary attribute to ensure success, as its absence would make victory impossible. This underscores her belief that mental fortitude plays an essential role alongside physical skills and abilities when stepping into the ring.


"I think being the first female boxer to win an Olympic gold medal has given me more of a platform to inspire and show girls and young women that they can do whatever they put their minds to."

This quote by Nicola Adams highlights the transformative power of breaking barriers in sports. By becoming the first female boxer to win an Olympic gold medal, she not only achieved a significant personal milestone but also created a powerful symbol for young girls and women everywhere. Her success serves as proof that they too can excel in traditionally male-dominated fields if they believe in themselves and are determined to succeed. This quote emphasizes the inspirational impact of overcoming obstacles, breaking stereotypes, and paving the way for future generations.


"When you feel like quitting, remember why you started."

This quote from Nicola Adams emphasizes the importance of remembering one's initial motivation when faced with challenges or the desire to give up. It serves as a reminder that the reasons we started something can provide the necessary inspiration to continue, even in difficult moments. The quote encourages perseverance and resilience, suggesting that taking a moment to recall why we began a journey can reignite our passion and help us push through obstacles. In essence, it's a powerful message about overcoming adversity and staying committed to our goals.


Nothing ever stops me smiling, apart from getting beat in the ring.

- Nicola Adams

Smiling, Getting, Ever, Beat

Boxing is like chess. You encourage your opponent to make mistakes so you can capitalise on it. People think you get in the ring and see the red mist, but it's not about aggression. Avoiding getting knocked out is tactical.

- Nicola Adams

Mistakes, Ring, About, Opponent

Anger is an unnecessary emotion. Loads of stuff in life can trigger it, but what matters is how you react. I choose not to react.

- Nicola Adams

React, Unnecessary, Loads, Trigger

Our boxing is not like the men's. It's more thoughtful, more technical. It's not just, 'Get in there and hurt someone.'

- Nicola Adams

Someone, Like, Technical, Hurt

Spiders keep me awake at night. If I see one that's too big to get under a glass, there will be big problems. I'll spend the rest of the day feeling like I'm being terrorised by this missing spider.

- Nicola Adams

Big, Awake, I See, Missing

Muhammad Ali meant everything to me. He inspired me to box after watching re-runs of him winning a gold medal in the Olympics and being a world champion.

- Nicola Adams

Winning, Meant, Olympics, Champion

No one's ever really cared about me being bisexual, and I only came out because I had always been out; it's just the general public didn't know. I'm quite fearless. I'm like, 'Let's just go out there and do this and see what happens.'

- Nicola Adams

Fearless, Been, About, General Public

Women boxers prefer to focus on the win rather than the bravado. We've come a long way. In the '90s, you only ever saw women parading in heels and a bikini holding a scorecard. Now we're owning it; we should get some male models in Speedos to do the ring walk.

- Nicola Adams

Some, Rather, Prefer, Bikini

I train for at least two hours, three times a day - weights, bench-press, push-ups, running, sparring, boxing sessions - so I must be burning off a lot of calories. But I don't weigh myself too often - just once every day.

- Nicola Adams

Every Day, Weigh, Least, Weights

To finally become world champion after losing out in three previous finals is very satisfying. It shows that if you stick to your goals and work hard, you can achieve them in the end.

- Nicola Adams

Achieve, Very, Your, Finals

I got my inspiration when I sat down with my father, at about eight or nine years old, and watched 'The Rumble in the Jungle.'

- Nicola Adams

Old, Nine, Sat, Jungle

I'm like a 'comeback kid' - you can't keep me down for long!

- Nicola Adams

Kid, Like, Keep, Comeback

I only went into a gym by accident. My mum couldn't get a babysitter and wanted to do aerobics, so she took me and Kurtis, my younger brother, down to the gym. There was an after-school boxing class on with some of the kids from school. There weren't any other girls there, but I didn't mind. I loved it.

- Nicola Adams

Some, Other, Mum, After-School

Yes, I'm always keeping my eye on trends and designers. With certain favourites, I can tell you what season an item of clothing is from. I've been to a few catwalk shows, and I love seeing how the clothes look on a person.

- Nicola Adams

Love, Been, Favourites, Season

Everybody wants that spot: everybody wants to beat Nicola Adams. Everybody wants to be the Olympic champion; everybody wants to beat the Olympic champion. It's made me train that much harder and stay that much more focused. I guess, in a way, I've got them to thank for keeping me motivated and focused on the job I need to do.

- Nicola Adams

Everybody, Got, Olympic, Train

At the 2012 Olympics, there was a nutritionist in the food hall telling us, 'Eat that. And eat that.' After winning my gold, I went to McDonald's for chicken nuggets and a strawberry milkshake, but that was just for the hell of it. I don't feel hungry after a match, to be honest.

- Nicola Adams

Chicken, Telling, Hall, Nutritionist

I love shopping, but I only really have time to do it online.

- Nicola Adams

Love, Only, I Love, Shopping

A couple of weeks after the Olympics, I thought I'd pop down to my local supermarket and do some grocery shopping. One person came up to me in the frozen food aisle, and that was it. I was mobbed, and I had to leave my shopping. Now, I either shop online or go very late at night when the supermarket's nearly empty.

- Nicola Adams

Some, Very, Couple, Shopping

There is so much to learn from boxing, you can never have learnt everything; anybody who says they know it all is lying. You can't - there is always something new to learn.

- Nicola Adams

Learn, New, Always, Learnt

All I want is to keep boxing for Great Britain and inspire others.

- Nicola Adams

Inspire, Want, Britain, Great Britain

It isn't just sports people that need someone to look up to - everyone needs that: LGBT people, the general public. To be honest, it's nice to feel that I can inspire so many people in so many areas of public life.

- Nicola Adams

Life, Feel, Public Life, General Public

I want to be the European, Olympic, Commonwealth and world champion. I want the full set.

- Nicola Adams

World, Set, Olympic, Champion

I'd love to be the Ali of women's boxing, to retire as the greatest.

- Nicola Adams

Love, Boxing, Ali, Retire

When I was young, I used to watch videos of Ali boxing, with my dad. It set me on the road. I wanted to be like Ali. I wanted to have my own Nicki shuffle and everything.

- Nicola Adams

Young, Like, Set, Ali

When The Queen invited the Olympians to the Palace, I was first in line to speak to her. She said she watched the Games and how happy she was, how impressed she was with the boxing. She told me she'd watched my fight and enjoyed it. I didn't realise the effect I'd had on the whole country.

- Nicola Adams

Queen, Country, Line, Olympians

My family and friends are the only people I pay mind to. It's none of my business what anyone else thinks. I don't even know them, so why should I care?

- Nicola Adams

Why, None, Else, Family And Friends

When I look back, I only do so to see what I've done in my past - my gold medals and the Championships that I've won. Really, I just look to the future and hopefully winning even more.

- Nicola Adams

Winning, Past, Medals, Hopefully

My mum did really well raising me and my brother by herself. I know it was a struggle, and even from a young age, when I was boxing, it was always to make my mother proud.

- Nicola Adams

Proud, Always, Raising, Herself

Every time I get in the ring, I have to give 110 per cent because my opponents have nothing to lose and everything to gain, so I have to make sure I go in there with my A-game and come away with the victory.

- Nicola Adams

Ring, Away, Cent, Per

Everywhere I go, people ask me for photos and autographs, saying I inspired them to start training. Boris Johnson says his sons started boxing after seeing me - how cool is that?

- Nicola Adams

Cool, Start, Go, Autographs

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