The UFC Lie: Dana White Said Women Would NEVER Fight… Until THIS Happened

Introduction

Most people know Miesha Tate as a UFC champion, a fierce competitor, and one of the pioneers of women's mixed martial arts. But behind the championship belts, legendary rivalries, and unforgettable fights is a deeper story about resilience, self-discovery, and learning who you are beyond your accomplishments.

In this candid conversation, Tate reflects on her unlikely path into combat sports, the setbacks that shaped her, and the lessons she learned from chasing success at the highest level. Her journey reveals that true strength isn't just about enduring pain—it's about continuing forward when every part of you wants to stop.

From an Ordinary Childhood to an Extraordinary Path

Looking back, Tate doesn't point to a single childhood moment that predicted her future as a fighter. She describes herself as a kind, inclusive child who was taught by her mother to look out for others, especially those who felt left out.

Yet beneath that calm exterior were experiences that quietly shaped her character.

She speaks openly about feelings of abandonment connected to her biological father and later the difficult relationship she had with her stepfather during her teenage years. While she didn't see those experiences as defining her at the time, she later recognized how they influenced her search for strength and identity.

Discovering Wrestling by Accident

Tate didn't set out to become a fighter.

In high school, a friend suggested they try wrestling simply because neither of them played basketball and there weren't many other sports options available. What began as a casual decision quickly became transformative.

Wrestling awakened something inside her.

It taught her that hard work produces results. More importantly, it showed her that people's perceptions can change. The same teammates who initially doubted she belonged eventually respected her dedication and growth.

Learning to Compete in a World That Didn't Expect You to Succeed

As one of the few girls wrestling against boys, Tate faced skepticism from the beginning.

She recalls being treated as if she didn't belong. Most of the boys assumed girls simply couldn't compete at the same level. Rather than allowing that perception to define her, she used it as motivation.

Over time, she learned to study what made her opponents effective. Instead of focusing on limitations, she focused on closing the gap.

That experience taught her an important lesson:

Hard Work Changes Perception

People may form opinions about you quickly, but those opinions are not permanent.

Through consistent effort, discipline, and improvement, Tate discovered that first impressions don't have to become permanent labels.

That lesson would follow her throughout her career.

The Unexpected Beginning of an MMA Career

Ironically, Tate initially had no interest in getting punched.

When a friend convinced her to attend an MMA class, she was far more interested in grappling and submissions than striking. Learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu fascinated her. Punching, on the other hand, seemed completely unnecessary.

That perspective changed after attending her first amateur MMA event.

For the first time, she saw the strategy, skill, and artistry behind the sport. What many people viewed as chaos, she saw as a complex chess match unfolding in real time.

Soon after, she stepped into the cage herself.

The Fight That Changed Everything

Tate's first amateur fight ended in defeat.

After only a few weeks of striking experience, she found herself facing an accomplished kickboxer. Early success quickly turned into adversity when a devastating knee strike broke her nose.

Blood poured from her face. Her corner eventually stopped the fight.

Most people assumed the experience would convince her never to return.

Instead, the opposite happened.

Discovering Something Deeper

In the middle of pain, fear, and uncertainty, Tate discovered a side of herself she hadn't known existed.

Even after suffering a broken nose, she found herself fighting back aggressively and regaining momentum. Although the fight was stopped, she left with a new understanding of her own resilience.

Rather than discouraging her, the loss ignited a desire to improve.

She didn't see failure.

She saw potential.

The Power of Starting at the Bottom

One of the recurring themes throughout Tate's journey is her willingness to begin as a beginner.

She lost her first wrestling match.

She lost her first MMA fight.

She was frequently underestimated.

Yet she never viewed those moments as reasons to quit.

Instead, she treated them as opportunities to learn.

The “Cupcake” Who Refused to Fit the Stereotype

Because of her appearance and personality, opponents often underestimated her. Some viewed her as too soft, too feminine, or too nice to be dangerous.

The nickname “Cupcake” emerged from those assumptions.

At first, it irritated her.

Eventually, she embraced it.

Rather than trying to change who she was, Tate allowed her performance to challenge people's expectations.

She learned that strength and femininity are not opposites.

The Rivalry That Helped Change Women's MMA

No discussion of Miesha Tate's career is complete without mentioning her rivalry with Ronda Rousey.

At a time when many doubted women's MMA had enough depth or talent to belong in the UFC, Tate believed otherwise.

She remembered what wrestling had already taught her: perceptions can change.

While UFC President Dana White publicly questioned whether women's MMA belonged in the organization, Tate believed that once people saw the right fights, minds would change.

Eventually, they did.

The rivalry between Tate and Rousey became one of the defining stories that helped bring women's MMA into the mainstream.

Fighting Through a Broken Arm

One of the most iconic moments of Tate's career came during her fight with Rousey.

Caught in an armbar, Tate refused to submit.

As the pressure increased, the damage became severe. Ligaments tore. Tendons pulled away from the bone. Her elbow hyperextended dramatically.

Still, she wouldn't tap.

Why She Didn't Quit

Asked why she kept fighting, her answer was simple:

She didn't want to give up.

She didn't want to lose.

That mindset became one of the defining characteristics of her career—not because it guaranteed victory, but because it revealed who she was under pressure.

The performance earned widespread respect and helped convince UFC leadership that women belonged on the sport's biggest stage.

Becoming UFC Champion

After setbacks, losses, and years of perseverance, Tate eventually captured the UFC championship by defeating Holly Holm.

The victory reflected the entire story of her career.

She faced adversity during the fight. She fell behind. She had moments where things weren't going her way.

But she continued pressing forward.

In the final round, she took a calculated risk, secured a chokehold, and finished the fight dramatically to become champion.

It was the culmination of years of persistence and belief.

The Surprising Truth About Success

Perhaps the most powerful lesson from Tate's story came after she achieved her biggest goal.

For years, she believed becoming champion would finally make her happy.

When it happened, the excitement was real—but temporary.

Within weeks, she realized something important:

Success and happiness are not the same thing.

Looking Beyond Achievement

Tate recognized that she had tied much of her identity to being a fighter, a winner, or a champion.

When achievement becomes your entire identity, it creates a problem. No accomplishment can permanently fill deeper emotional needs.

She came to understand that purpose is found through connection:

• Connection with yourself
• Connection with others
• Connection with something larger than achievement

The championship was meaningful, but it wasn't the answer she thought it would be.

The Mindset That Never Quits

When asked what allowed her to keep moving forward through injuries, losses, and disappointments, Tate offered a simple perspective:

Sometimes you stop giving yourself another option.

You decide there is only one direction—forward.

That doesn't mean the journey is easy. It doesn't mean fear disappears. It means committing so fully that quitting no longer feels like a viable path.

Conclusion

Miesha Tate's story is about far more than fighting.

It's about discovering strength through adversity, refusing to let other people define your potential, and learning that achievement alone cannot create fulfillment.

Her journey reminds us that resilience isn't something you're born with. It's something you develop every time you face difficulty and choose to keep going.

And perhaps the most valuable lesson of all: success may open doors, but true fulfillment comes from knowing who you are when the applause fades.

When Implants Make You Sick, Exploring Causes, Symptoms, and Recovery Pathways W Dr. Landon Pryor

Introduction

For many women, breast implants represent confidence, restoration, and a greater sense of self.

But for a growing number of women, unexplained symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, chronic pain, weight gain, autoimmune issues, and hormone dysfunction have led them to ask a difficult question:

Could my breast implants be making me sick?

This condition has become known as Breast Implant Illness (BII), and while debate continues in some medical circles, awareness is rapidly increasing as more women share their stories and more physicians begin examining the evidence.

One of those physicians is Dr. Landon Pryor, a board-certified plastic surgeon who spent years performing breast augmentation surgeries before dedicating much of his practice to helping women recover from Breast Implant Illness through explant surgery and full-body healing approaches.

What Is Breast Implant Illness?

Breast Implant Illness is a term used to describe a wide range of symptoms that some women develop after receiving breast implants.

Common symptoms include:

• Brain fog
• Chronic fatigue
• Sleep disturbances
• Anxiety
• Joint and muscle pain
• Weight gain
• Digestive issues
• Dry eyes
• Hormonal imbalances
• Neurological symptoms
• Autoimmune conditions
• Chronic inflammation

What makes BII particularly challenging is that symptoms often develop gradually and can mimic many other health conditions. As a result, women frequently spend years searching for answers while receiving diagnoses that fail to address the underlying cause.

The Hidden Struggle Many Women Face

According to Dr. Pryor, many women arrive at his office after years—sometimes decades—of unexplained health problems.

They've often visited:

• Primary care physicians
• Neurologists
• Endocrinologists
• Rheumatologists
• Functional medicine practitioners

Despite extensive testing, many are told:

• “Everything looks normal.”
• “You're just stressed.”
• “It's menopause.”
• “It's chronic fatigue syndrome.”
• “It's anxiety.”

Meanwhile, their symptoms continue to worsen.

For many women, learning that breast implants may be contributing to their symptoms is both a relief and an emotional challenge.

From Plastic Surgeon to BII Advocate

Dr. Pryor's perspective changed after witnessing something he could not ignore.

A patient underwent proper implant removal and capsule removal surgery. Following the procedure, her symptoms dramatically improved.

Then it happened again.

And again.

Over time, he saw a consistent pattern: women suffering from unexplained symptoms often experienced significant improvement after their implants were removed.

These outcomes motivated him to dive deeply into the available research, historical data, and patient experiences surrounding Breast Implant Illness.

The more he learned, the harder it became to dismiss what patients were experiencing.

Eventually, he made a major professional decision:

He stopped performing breast augmentation procedures and shifted his focus toward helping women recover from BII.

Why Do Some Women Get Sick While Others Don't?

One of the most common questions surrounding Breast Implant Illness is:

If implants are the problem, why doesn't everyone with implants become sick?

Dr. Pryor explains that no two people are biologically identical.

Factors that may influence susceptibility include:

• Genetics
• Immune system function
• Toxic burden
• Environmental exposures
• Chronic stress
• Previous infections
• Mold exposure
• Heavy metal exposure
• Microbiome health
• Autoimmune predispositions

Rather than a single cause, illness often develops when multiple stressors accumulate over time until the body can no longer compensate.

The “Perfect Storm” Concept

Interestingly, Dr. Pryor experienced his own health crisis.

Despite being a physician and surgeon, he developed symptoms remarkably similar to those reported by many BII patients.

His health decline followed what he described as a “perfect storm” of stressors:

• Tick exposure
• Long COVID symptoms
• Mercury toxicity concerns
• Mold exposure
• Extensive antibiotic use
• Emotional stress
• Chronic inflammation

Like many patients, he struggled to find answers despite access to top medical resources.

His experience gave him a firsthand understanding of the frustration, fear, and uncertainty many patients face.

What Makes Breast Implants Potentially Problematic?

According to Dr. Pryor, several factors may contribute to Breast Implant Illness.

1. Chronic Immune Activation

Any foreign object placed in the body triggers an immune response.

Breast implants are no exception.

The body creates scar tissue, known as a capsule, around the implant as a protective mechanism. While this is normal, ongoing immune activation may contribute to inflammation in susceptible individuals.

2. Biofilms and Hidden Infections

One of the most discussed theories involves biofilms.

Biofilms are protective structures that bacteria and other microorganisms create to shield themselves from the immune system.

Research has documented biofilm formation around breast implants, which may contribute to chronic inflammation and immune system dysfunction.

3. Mold and Microbial Growth

Dr. Pryor notes that saline implants contain a silicone shell and valve system.

In some cases, microbial growth—including mold—has been observed within implants after removal.

Although not every implant develops these issues, they represent another potential source of chronic immune stimulation.

4. Heavy Metals and Chemical Exposure

Many breast implants contain various metals and chemical compounds used during manufacturing.

Research has found evidence that certain substances may migrate into surrounding tissues and lymph nodes over time.

While the degree of impact likely varies between individuals, this represents another possible contributor to systemic symptoms.

Understanding the Cancer Connection

An important topic discussed by Dr. Pryor is the recognized association between certain breast implants and a rare cancer known as:

Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma

BIA-ALCL is not breast cancer itself but a lymphoma that develops in the scar capsule surrounding the implant.

Although rare, it is now a recognized risk and is one reason many experts believe informed consent discussions should include more comprehensive information about implant-related complications.

Why Explant Surgery Matters

For women suffering from BII symptoms, implant removal—often called explant surgery—may become part of the healing process.

Dr. Pryor emphasizes that successful explant surgery involves more than simply removing the implant.

Many experts recommend:

• Implant removal
• Complete capsule removal (capsulectomy)
• Evaluation for inflammation and abnormal tissue
• Comprehensive recovery support

The goal is to remove potential sources of ongoing immune activation and give the body an opportunity to heal.

The Emotional Side of Explant Surgery

One of the most overlooked aspects of Breast Implant Illness is the emotional journey.

Many women originally chose implants to:

• Improve confidence
• Restore their appearance
• Feel more comfortable in their bodies

The idea of removing them can create fears about:

• Physical appearance
• Self-image
• Relationships
• Identity

Dr. Pryor acknowledges these concerns and emphasizes the importance of compassionate conversations that prioritize both health and aesthetic outcomes.

Can the Breasts Be Reconstructed After an Explant?

Yes.

Depending on the individual patient, options may include:

• Breast lifting procedures
• Tissue reshaping
• Fat transfer using the patient's own body fat
• Reconstruction of breast contours

While results vary based on body type and available tissue, many women are surprised by the improvements that can be achieved without replacing implants.

A Bigger Picture: Removing the Source

One of the strongest themes throughout Dr. Pryor's message is that healing often requires identifying and removing sources of chronic stress and inflammation.

Breast implants may be one piece of the puzzle.

Other contributors can include:

• Mold exposure
• Hidden infections
• Heavy metals
• Chronic stress
• Poor sleep
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Environmental toxins

The goal is not simply symptom management but addressing root causes whenever possible.

The Future of Breast Implant Awareness

Dr. Pryor believes the conversation around Breast Implant Illness is changing.

As more research emerges and more women share their experiences, awareness continues to grow among both patients and healthcare professionals.

His hope is not necessarily to eliminate breast implants entirely but to ensure women receive true informed consent—understanding both the benefits and the potential risks before making a decision.

Final Thoughts

Breast Implant Illness remains a complex and evolving topic.

What is becoming increasingly clear is that many women with chronic, unexplained symptoms deserve to have all potential contributing factors considered—including their breast implants.

For those struggling with fatigue, brain fog, chronic inflammation, autoimmune symptoms, or other persistent health issues, asking the question may be worthwhile:

Could my implants be part of the picture?

For some women, that question becomes the first step toward finally finding answers, reclaiming their health, and moving from pain to purpose.

The Power of Belief, Brain Science, and Ashleigh Di Lellos Incredible Comeback. 

Introduction

At just 13 years old, Ashleigh Di Lello went from being a healthy, energetic dancer with dreams of performing on the world's biggest stages to fighting for her life.

Doctors couldn't explain what was happening.

Her joints ached. Her muscles burned. Her liver began shutting down. Her hair fell out. Her body weakened to the point that lifting a finger sometimes felt impossible.

After years of testing, specialists had no answers—and eventually sent her home with little hope.

Yet what followed wasn't the end of her story.

It was the beginning of a journey that would lead her from devastating illness to professional dance success, and later to the creation of a neuroscience-based healing method that has helped thousands of people address chronic pain, trauma, anxiety, and nervous system dysfunction.

This is the story of how Ashleigh transformed pain into purpose.

A Child Born to Dance

Some people discover their passion.

Ashleigh seemed to arrive with hers.

According to her mother, she was constantly kicking before birth, and she began dancing almost before she could walk.

By age seven, she was training five hours a day and spending 25–30 hours a week in dance classes.

While most children looked forward to summer breaks, Ashleigh couldn't imagine taking time away from dancing.

It wasn't pressure from her parents.

It was who she was.

Dance became her identity, her joy, and the thing she loved most in the world.

That passion would later become the very reason she refused to give up.

The Day Everything Changed

At 13 years old, Ashleigh experienced a strange pain in her elbows while getting braces.

The following morning, she woke up with:

• Severe joint and muscle pain
• A 103-degree fever
• Extreme weakness
• Widespread inflammation

The symptoms escalated rapidly.

Over time, she developed:

• Chronic fatigue
• Digestive issues
• Constant sore throats
• Hair loss
• Yellowing skin from liver dysfunction
• Debilitating pain throughout her body

What made the situation even more frightening was that doctors couldn't identify the cause.

Test after test came back inconclusive.

Medical specialists knew her body was fighting something—but they couldn't determine what.

As her condition worsened, she spent four years battling for survival.

Living Between Life and Death

For most teenagers, the biggest challenges involve school, friendships, and growing up.

Ashleigh's reality was very different.

She spent years isolated at home while her friends moved forward with their lives.

Many eventually stopped visiting because they didn't know what to say.

The loneliness was overwhelming.

At times, she feared falling asleep because she wasn't sure her body would continue fighting if she stopped consciously willing herself to live.

Yet despite the uncertainty, she held onto one conviction:

She would survive.

And she would dance again.

That belief became her anchor during the darkest moments of her illness.

When Conventional Medicine Had No Answers

After extensive testing and consultations, Ashleigh's family was given devastating news.

Doctors had exhausted their options.

Without a diagnosis or effective treatment, they essentially sent her home.

Rather than surrendering, her family began exploring alternative approaches.

Her healing journey included:

• Homeopathic medicine
• Nutritional therapy
• Targeted supplementation
• Immune system support
• Lifestyle changes

Most importantly, she developed an unwavering belief that her body was designed to heal.

Recovery was not immediate.

It took approximately four years before she regained a functional foundation and nearly six years before she felt truly healthy again.

The process was gradual, marked by small victories rather than dramatic breakthroughs.

Each step forward became proof that healing was possible.

Defying the Odds and Returning to the Stage

Against every prediction, Ashleigh returned to dance.

Not only did she recover enough to train again, but she eventually achieved levels of success many healthy dancers never reach.

She:

• Ranked among the top ballroom dancers in the United States
• Performed internationally in more than 45 countries
• Appeared on So You Think You Can Dance
• Performed on Dancing with the Stars
• Worked in professional productions and Broadway-level performances

The dream doctors said would never happen became reality.

For a time, life seemed to have come full circle.

A Second Health Crisis

Years later, after building a successful dance career and becoming a mother, Ashleigh underwent hip surgery.

The procedure appeared routine.

It wasn't.

Complications left a structural problem in her hip that wasn't discovered for years.

Soon she found herself facing another devastating decline.

This time she experienced:

• Chronic pain
• Loss of mobility
• Severe sleep deprivation
• Pelvic and bladder pain
• Migraines
• Thyroid dysfunction
• TMJ disorders
• Fibromyalgia diagnoses
• Chronic regional pain syndrome diagnoses

Despite trying virtually every treatment available—including regenerative medicine, injections, physical therapies, supplements, and specialized diets—nothing provided lasting relief.

Eventually, she reached a breaking point.

One night, lying on the floor in agony, she told God He could take her.

Not because she was suicidal.

Because she was exhausted.

And because she couldn't imagine continuing to live that way.

The Turning Point: Studying Neuroscience

The following morning, Ashleigh made a decision that would change everything.

If nobody could give her answers, she would find them herself.

She immersed herself in neuroscience.

She studied:

• Brain function
• Pain science
• Neuroplasticity
• Nervous system regulation
• Trauma physiology
• Chronic stress responses

As she connected the research with her own experiences, a pattern emerged.

The problem wasn't only physical.

Her nervous system had become trapped in survival mode.

The illness she survived as a teenager had programmed her brain to remain hypervigilant.

When the hip injury occurred years later, her nervous system reacted as though her life was once again under threat.

Her body wasn't simply experiencing pain.

It was living in a constant state of protection.

Understanding the Survival Brain

One of Ashleigh's most important insights is that the brain remembers.

When someone experiences prolonged illness, trauma, abuse, loss, or chronic stress, the nervous system adapts.

Its goal is protection.

The problem is that protection can become chronic.

This often shows up as:

• Anxiety
• Chronic pain
• Hypervigilance
• Chemical sensitivities
• Food sensitivities
• Sleep disturbances
• Digestive dysfunction
• Persistent stress responses

Even after the original danger is gone, the brain may continue behaving as if the threat remains.

The result is a body that struggles to fully relax, recover, and heal.

The Power of Neuroplasticity

The discovery that changed Ashleigh's life was neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change, adapt, and create new pathways throughout life.

In practical terms, it means:

• The brain is not fixed.
• Trauma does not have to define the future.
• Chronic patterns can be rewritten.
• Healing remains possible regardless of age.

This realization became the foundation of her work.

Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, she began helping people understand the relationship between the brain, body, emotions, and nervous system.

Why Language Matters

One of the simplest yet most powerful concepts Ashleigh teaches involves language.

Many people unknowingly reinforce illness through the way they speak about themselves.

Phrases such as:

• “My body is broken.”
• “My gut doesn't work.”
• “I'll never get better.”
• “My body hates me.”

can become subconscious instructions that reinforce fear and helplessness.

Instead, she encourages people to develop language that supports healing and possibility.

According to Ashleigh, changing language doesn't instantly change reality.

But it begins changing the brain's expectations—and expectations influence physiology.

Introducing Bio-Emotional Healing

Through years of research and personal experience, Ashleigh developed a system called Bio-Emotional Healing.

The method integrates:

• Neuroscience
• Nervous system regulation
• Emotional processing
• Cognitive reframing
• Trauma-informed healing strategies

The approach focuses on treating the whole person rather than isolated symptoms.

Her philosophy is simple:

Healing requires more than addressing the body.

It also requires addressing the emotional experiences and nervous system patterns that shape how the body functions.

From Fighter to Free

For much of her life, Ashleigh identified as a fighter.

And for good reason.

Fighting helped her survive.

Eventually, however, she realized that constant fighting kept her nervous system locked in the very survival mode she was trying to escape.

Today, she embraces a different identity:

Freedom.

Not freedom from challenges.

Freedom from living in constant fear of them.

Freedom from waiting for the next setback.

Freedom from believing her body is fragile.

Freedom from the belief that the past must dictate the future.

The Message She Wants Everyone to Hear

If there is one lesson Ashleigh hopes people take away from her story, it's this:

The brain can change.

The body can heal.

And no one is beyond hope.

Whether someone is struggling with chronic illness, chronic pain, anxiety, trauma, or nervous system dysregulation, healing remains possible.

Not because the journey is easy.

But because the human body and brain were designed to adapt.

And sometimes the greatest purpose emerges from the deepest pain.

As Ashleigh's story demonstrates, the experiences that nearly break us can ultimately become the foundation for helping others find their way back to health, resilience, and freedom.