So I’ve just binge watched all six Rocky films in a row, not all in one day, I’m not a maniac, but without watching other films in between. Somehow despite having the least interest in, and probably actively disliking boxing, these films grabbed my attention and became something of an obsession.

The drama is brilliant. The dialogue nutty. The training montages legendary. What I loved most of all, though, was how inspirational Rocky is as a character. A simple guy who just wants to do right and do what he loves. He likes people, he respects people, he sticks up for people and he thinks the best of everyone.

After finishing the sixth Rocky film, I said to Mr C: “If these weren’t about boxing, they’d be one of the greatest film series.” I get that the sport is inextricably linked with the drama and you couldn’t just switch it up for something like tennis instead. There’s something about the primal nature of this sport, the potential for getting hurt, that ups the ante and increases the drama. I love a good sports movie, I just prefer my sports to be less bloody.

Anyway, regardless of my tortured feelings over whether I actually liked these films or not, you can’t argue with the wisdom of Rocky and his friends, so I thought I’d gather some of the best inspo quotes from the Balboa series.

Going one more round when you don’t think you can. That’s what makes all the difference in your life.

Nobody owe nobody nothing. You owe yourself.

It’s your right to listen to your gut, it ain’t nobody’s right to say no after you earned the right to be where you want to be and do what you want to do!

I stopped thinking the way other people think a long time ago. You gotta think like you think.

Nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done.

No pain. NO PAIN.