Annie Ramirez: Struggle Makes Us Stronger

“You won’t feel okay right away. But you can consistently train your mind to stay positive."

Asian Games gold medalist Annie Ramirez, known as one of the “golden girls” of Philippine jiu-jitsu, has not only achieved success on the mats but also faced her share of battles off of it. From grappling with anxiety to enduring the isolations of the pandemic, Annie has emerged stronger, with a new purpose: coaching deaf athletes. In this episode, guest correspondent Philip Matel delves into Annie’s journey and how she’s discovered a higher calling. On the Go Hard Girls podcast, Annie says:

"If one competition doesn’t go my way, there’s always another. The same goes for life: one tough day isn’t the end, because tomorrow could bring a win.”

Annie’s mental fitness is even more of an achievement when you discover she was once overcome by anxiety after a devastating loss in an international competition. Having overcome this anxiety through inner work and with the help of sports psychology, Annie’s work now goes beyond her goals in sport—she’s dedicated to mentoring deaf athletes, guiding them to find strength and confidence through jiu-jitsu. Her impact on her students is a testament to her belief that jiu-jitsu is not only a discipline but also a path to self-empowerment.

She has also become an entrepreneur, putting up her own coffee shop in Metro Manila. It’s a new challenge for the national athlete, but she keeps the same mentality towards business as she does in sports:

“Every challenge will eventually pass. Whether it’s a bad sales day or a tough loss, we can always try again.”

Listen to her story and feel inspired to overcome challenges, in both sports and life.

This episode is made possible through the Go Hard Girls Grants, which empowers creators to tell the stories of Filipina athletes. The Go Hard Girls Grants are supported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation International Development and Women in News & Sports (WINS).