The story of Loopy Godinez, a father’s sacrifices, and a new life up North

The doorbell rang, and a woman opened the door to find an adult man and a pair of teenage girls standing on the stoop. The woman was puzzled and wondered who these people were and what they wanted. Her eyes met with one of the girls’ as she tried to make sense of the situation.

“Me, him, my dad, wash cars,” one of the girls said to the woman, pointing to her father. Her English was broken, and she had a noticeable Hispanic accent.

The door promptly closed in the faces of the stoop-standers. Loopy Godinez took a breath and stepped down off the stoop, alongside her sister and father, Carlos Godinez. They walked past their white van filled with cleaning supplies, ready to move on to the next house, hoping for better luck.

Godinez, who was 15 at the time, led a vastly different life from most kids growing up in Vancouver. She didn’t attend school; instead, she worked multiple jobs. Her surprising immigration from Mexico to Canada had hit her hard, and the following months were filled with tears and frustration.

At 14, Godinez made the life-changing move to Canada without prior knowledge of the plan. A family trip to Disneyland turned into a permanent relocation. Her father’s car dealing business had faced threats from a cartel, prompting the move. However, the transition wasn’t easy, and Godinez found herself navigating through an unfamiliar and inconvenient new life, leaving behind cherished memories and loved ones in Mexico.

She and her family engaged in blue-collar jobs, cleaning toilets, washing cars, and more, just to get by. Godinez became accustomed to the relentless grind of life – a stark contrast to a typical teenager’s experience.

Her father’s unwavering work ethic reflected in his relentless routine, working day and night to make ends meet, wherever and whenever an opportunity arose. This perseverance influenced Godinez deeply, shaping her outlook and perseverance in the face of adversity.

A short time later, Godinez established herself as a formidable talent in the UFC, ready to fight anywhere, anytime – exhibiting a mentality akin to Donald Cerrone, the iconic fighter. Her undying work ethic and will to succeed propelled her forward, culminating in a match at Madison Square Garden that could potentially elevate her into the UFC’s top 10 rankings.

Despite the hardships endured during her unique upbringing, sixteen years after her move, Godinez has matured, developing a profound appreciation for her sacrifices and, above all, for her father. She cherishes the lessons learned from his relentless dedication to keep their family safe and provide for them.