I have always had an interest in the medical field, but like many things, the people around me told me that it was just a phase and that I would change my mind about wanting to become a doctor. And for a long time, I believed them. Questioning if I was going to be driven and dedicated enough to endure many more long, difficult years of school. But recently, I realized that I need to be a doctor. A doctor that understands the female body and can relate to her patients. During the cross country season my freshman year of high school, I tore both of my hip labrums and needed surgery. Having an interest in the medical field that I did, I researched doctors in my area who could perform the surgery and give me the best shot at running again. The surgeon I decided to go with was a male, but I didn’t think much of this at first. I recovered from these two surgeries well, and within a year, I was back up and running again. Unfortunately, it wasn’t all smooth sailing from here. While running cross country during my junior year of high school, I developed a grade four stress fracture that took months to diagnose. I had quite a few complications and saw countless doctors who couldn’t figure out what was going on. I received diagnoses like Amplified Pain Syndrome, nerve damage, and exertional chronic compartment syndrome, but I was left frustrated and confused with no real treatment options. Still to this day, I am still searching for an answer to why I can’t run without extreme pain. Every doctor I was referred to, researched, and met with was male. I find that at most practices there isn’t even an option for a female sports medicine or orthopedic doctor. I feel strongly that females understand the female body best and that if I was able to find a female orthopedic that treated symptoms similar to mine, I could be back doing the things I love, pain-free. These injuries have been more than just a challenge. My experiences have been humbling and have empowered me to pursue a career in the medical field, hopefully becoming a female sports medicine doctor and helping young females, like myself, life-changing answers that will allow them to excel at the sports and activities they love. Many people don't even realize how much of a disparity there is when it comes to female doctors entering the practice of sports medicine, but I want to be the change and fight for female equality.