Training for fun, not self-defense

I've been training for about a year now, and I started because it seemed like fun as a sport. Not for self defense at all, just because I like doing sports and I don't need 5 other people to train. It's mostly men at my gym, and one of the things I've noticed them say is 'If one man can hold you down, two can...' you know the rest. I was surprised that men train for self defense as well. If someone attacks me on the streets, I'm running.

Anyway, I'm wondering how many of y'all started for self defense vs. for exercise/sport? Or is there another reason you started?