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" \n Marlen Esparza, a Mexican-American Olympic boxing hopeful, knows what it takes to be ballsy. The 2012 London Olympics is the first time women&amp;#039;s boxing qualified as an official sport and Esparza is the first American woman competing in the event. But you don&amp;#039;t have to be in a ring to call yourself a fighter. We got some tips from the six-time boxing champ and CoverGirl on how to take charge. 1. Always be Confident Nothing looks or makes a woman feel better than knowing just how fly she is. &amp;quot;As an athlete, confidence makes me more competitive and helps me perform better.&amp;quot; Confidence can help you score that promotion, get the guy you want or just plain make you feel good! 2. Go After What You Want Growing up, people discouraged Esparza from fighting. But it didn&amp;#039;t phase her and she decided to go after her dream despite the naysayers. &amp;quot;If you really know\u2026what you want and how to get there, then everything else really falls into place.&amp;quot;  3. Always Look Good We already know this chica can get dirty in the ring--she took home a bronze in the 2006 World Championships and a gold in the 2008 Pan American Games--but she has a beauty routine like the rest of us. Primping before a match is part of her pre-fight ritual. &amp;quot;Everybody knows I always do my nails\u2026[and] I am guilty of wearing makeup when I fight,&amp;quot; she says. &amp;quot;If I look good then I feel good and if I feel good, then I&amp;#039;ll fight good.&amp;quot; FYI, she swears by CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara. 4. Inspire Others If you want to call yourself bad-ass then you have to be a leader too. &amp;quot;I look forward to continuing to be a role model to women across the country and helping them have confidence in all they do in the ring, on the court or in the game of life!&amp;quot; Whether you&amp;#039;re an example to your hermanitas or your friends, it&amp;#039;s no secret that when others look up to you you&amp;#039;re motivated to excel. 5. Rep Your Culture Esparza is especially orgullosa of being a Latina and competing at the Olympics. &amp;quot;It makes me feel like I&amp;#039;m doing [it] for a group of people,&amp;quot; Esparza says. &amp;quot;I&amp;#039;m really trying to make a difference for a lot of people and that really hits home.&amp;quot; "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/interviews/a3872/marlen-esparza-interview/>