Ptáčková: Bullying, Injury, Prejudice A Fighter‘s Story in a Man’s World
38 ǀ POSITIV WOMAN
Bullying, Injury, Prejudice
A Fighter‘s Story in a Man’s World
She’s lived through moments when she was at rock boom – both physically and mentally. From
the ring, and from life itself, she took one lesson: true strength doesn’t come from perfecon,
but from the courage to rise again. Today, Marna Ptáčková is a respected athlete, a security
and diplomacy expert and, recently, an ambassador for the project The ŽENY. In this candid
interview, she shares about what helped her through the toughest mes, how she understands
women’s strength – and why she sees pressure not as an enemy, but as a driving force.
Bullying and a serious injury have both marked
your life. What helped you not to give up in those
moments?
Honestly, those were probably the hardest periods
of my life. When you experience bullying or grapple
with a serious injury, it’s not just about the body; it’s
mainly about the mind. What helped me most was being
mentally resilient — and sport is what built that resilience
for me.
Perhaps the biggest realisation was that anything bad can
be transformed into something good — that even pain
can be fuel. Bullying taught me to have compassion for
others and to value myself. The injury taught me patience
and humility. Today, I know it was precisely those tough
moments that shaped me the most — without them
I wouldn’t be where I am.
Every blow, every setback pushed me forward. Bullying
taught me that you have to know your worth, even
when others try to take it from you. And the injury gave
me even greater humility — I realised the body has its
limits, but willpower can overcome them.
Your life journey is remarkable – in your view, what
defines a woman’s true strength?
Thank you, I really appreciate that. I believe a woman’s
true strength doesn’t lie only in the physical, but above
all in the inner strength— in the ability to handle pressure,
overcome obstacles and pain, and still remain herself.
For me, a woman’s strength means knowing how to fight,
but also knowing how to embrace. Knowing when
to be tough, and at the same time not losing gentleness,
empathy and heart. It means not fearing failure,
but getting back up every time I fall.
People often say women have to prove they’re as strong
as men. I don’t think so. I think women are strong
in a different way — and that’s precisely the magic. To have
the ability to cope with everything while staying human,
kind and authentic.
Looking back, my greatest victories came when I allowed
myself to be vulnerable, yet determined. Because
a woman’s true strength isn’t about never falling — it’s
about never giving up.
Have you ever faced being underestimated
as a woman in a male environment?
How do you view the position of women- whether
in sport or in security diplomacy?
Yes, of course — I’ve encountered underestimation,
and not only in the beginning of my career. When you’re
a woman in a field long perceived as male — whether it’s
combat sports or security diplomacy — it’s twice as hard
to win your place.
It used to bother me a lot. I felt I had to prove something
to everyone. But over time I realised the best answer isn’t
words, it’s the results. If you pursue your goals honestly,
sooner or later people start to take you seriously.
Woman’s true strength isn’t about never
falling — it’s about never giving up.
Co bylo nejtěžší na vaší cestě k úspěchu – fyzicky
nebo psychicky?
Nejtěžší to bylo určitě psychicky. Fyzická bolest časem
přejde – zranění se zahojí, únava odezní, ale to, co se děje
v hlavě, je mnohem náročnější. Každý sportovec ví, že
tělo zvládne víc, než si myslíme, ale mysl vás může zlomit,
pokud ji nemáte pod kontrolou.
Psychická odolnost se nestaví přes noc. Je to o každém
pádu, o každém návratu. O schopnosti vstát, i když ne-
máte sílu.
Fyzicky to samozřejmě taky nebylo snadné – tvrdé trénin-
ky, zranění, diety… ale to zvládnete, když máte silnou hla-
vu. Proto říkám, že nejdůležitější sval, který člověk musí
trénovat, je ten v hlavě.
Děkuji za rozhovor.