Until I was a junior in high school, sports had been a defining element of my personal identity. However it wasn't until that year that the true importance of sports in my life was apparent. My world was drastically changed on the day my mother died. When I was seventeen years of age and a junior in high school, COVID affected my family hard. I spent time playing sports in an effort to overcome grief and despair, and finding things to make myself feel grounded again. Sports was my outlet. With the rest of my life in disarray, running helped me to keep my head above water. Throughout high school, I was involved in several sports, including football and soccer. From an early age I developed strong skills in the area of soccer and through this learnt the value of teamwork, resilience and discipline. Playing football significantly improved my ability to deal with high pressure situations and boosted my confidence. The daily routine of competing, training and being part of the team made things to look forward to for me. This was particularly so when I was trying to come up with new ideas. Although participation in sports did not alleviate my suffering they have taught me to channel my feelings in a positive manner, providing a means to cope with pain when I needed it most. Due to my commitment to athletics, I played football at a collegiate level for two years, as punter and kicker. At a collegiate level of competition, I found it necessary to have great mental toughness, time management and a sense of responsibility. As a student, juggling combined academic study with a harsh training schedule, the importance of tenacity and flexibility, and disciplines that extend well beyond the sport itself, were very important for me. As a result of the experiences I've had, I have come to feel a strong desire to make a positive impact on other people, with young athletes who are involved in sports being a particular focus of mine, especially if they are struggling off the field. After my career, I hope to pursue opportunities that will enable me to give back by either mentoring, health and wellness initiatives, coaching, or through community work. Growing up in Texas influenced my viewpoints. In Texas, community leadership and cooperation is notably reinforced through sports. I aim to apply the lessons of my life to help the people in my community build up their mental wellbeing, to get through tough times and to strive for their ambitions. Having been deprived of my mother at a young age my life still continued in a generally positive direction. Through sports, I've learned the value of persistence, support from others and how to translate adversity into something positive. I plan to apply the knowledge and lessons I learn to make a positive impact on the community where I live and the people around me in the future through my studies and professional career.