Ramses Atala is a mixed martial arts fighter and a fashion model who believes in a sportsmanship code of honor aligned with his lifestyle.
Though this combination might seem strange, it all started with karate. Ram – as friends call him – started practicing it, moving on to different forms of martial arts, from boxing to MMA.
Ram recalls that from a very young age, he would attend his brother’s karte classes. He would crawl over to the tatami mat just to get a closer look.
“My brother was my inspiration to start practicing martial arts.”
When he was only nine, he started competing – although he didn’t win anything until the age of twelve.
When he was only fourteen, he attended his first National Black Belt League competition. And although he didn’t win, he always kept his chin up, working hard and giving heart and soul into the sport.
Three years later, he was a World Champion.
“My first World Championship was the most difficult; every single odd was against me…”
The differences between him and his opponent were 15 kg (Ram weighed only 75 while his opponent weighed 90), being born three years apart (Ram was 15 years old and his opponent eighteen), and a height difference of 5 cm.
“I ended up pretty beat up (cracked nose, broken rib) but I just fought with all my heart. That is what granted me the victory.”
In his second World Championship, he won by a K.O., with the fight lasting only 16 seconds.
Martial arts became a philosophy, particularly based on the Bushido code: justice, courtesy, tolerance, perserverance, respect, honor and loyalty.
“I tattooed the Bushido Code on my left ribs; understanding and following this Buddhist philosophy has molded my way of being and living.”
His sensei, Hugo Mendoza, helped him reach his potential, always maintaining the balance between perseverance and patience.
Afterward, he had to chance to coach his peers, teaching martial arts, Japanese gun classes, combat and form classes.
But then, modeling got in the way.
“A college friend asked me to help her in a photography project, so I did. After that, a fashion scout saw my pictures and got me my first agency signing.”
First with Glenda agency, followed by GH Management in Mexico, Ram is now an international model working with Joy Models in Milan, Italy.
He has modeled for Sears, Liverpool, Sport Life, GQ, The Rakish Gent (UK) Abercrombie & Fitch, Carrera, and Calvin Klein.
But that doesn’t stop him from studying. An Industrial Engineering student at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, he manages work and school pretty well.
(One more for you, ladies…)
“Be yourself, be proud of yourself, never let anyone tell you that you can’t make it. No limits.”
Life can take unexpected turns. Specially when you think that an MMA World Championship fighter can turn his life into a modeling career while also studying engineering.
But in the end, it’s all about what you make of it. So let’s make our best.
Keep rolling till you find something you love…
