As I reflect on my journey as a suicide loss survivor, the challenges I have faced seem overwhelming. I not only endured the painful experience of losing my dad to suicide; I grew up with the ever-present absence of a father figure at a time when I needed him most. At eight years old, I watched my mother struggle to make ends meet. The detrimental effects of losing a loved one had a significant toll on myself and my family. Since losing my father, life has never been the same. Dad made his living as a self-employed landscaper who climbed tall trees that most men wouldn't dare climb. My younger brother and I were recruited at an early age to assist dad with big jobs by loading the truck bed with tree limbs, branches, and debris. Dad was the hardest working man I had ever known. Recalling the good times, my siblings and I circled around mom on a green patch of clovers as she shared fond memories about us kids. With wide eyes of wonder and a smile filled with laughter, I impatiently waited for my turn to climb into mom's lap to hear the embarrassing tales of Chad; who apparently did not like to share with baby Justin (my brother); all while dad was risking life and limb to put food on the table. At the end of the day, dad's hands were worn down with blistering rope burns and opened calluses, splashed with blood, sweat, and gasoline. His shirt soaked and layered with micro-wood chips and sawdust. Dad had an unbelievable work ethic which I truly admired. I experienced firsthand what hard work looked like and understood what it felt like. My eyes were opened to the reality, money don't grow on trees. Upon his death, I was awakened to this reality as mom scraped together scraps in an effort to feed five hungry children. Living in a single-income household meant going without, more often than not. All of us were thrown into the grips of strangers who held us in a foreign place that never felt like home. This conjured feelings of fear and abandonment. Due to financial struggles, we found ourselves homeless, dropping in/out of shelters while living on welfare. We moved constantly throughout the year which adversely affected childhood relationships. Changing schools prevented me from developing meaningful friendships. Severe depression was sinking in which worsened with a learning disability (dyslexia), autoimmune disease (psoriasis), and childhood obesity. I grew up feeling like an outsider. I often sat alone and kept to myself, observing the world around me. Entering High School, I tried out for wrestling to grasp control over my weight. Inevitably, I discovered the weight room where my transformation began. With the courage to try something new, I found strength and confidence. I built character with discipline. I learned to wrestle through adversity. It was this moment, I decided quitting was never an option. My resilience provided the privilege to attend Campbellsville University where I competed as a four year starting heavyweight and became a first-generation college graduate who holds a bachelor in business administration. My passion for wrestling pushed me to continue my path as a volunteer wrestling coach for seven years. I have struggled to preserve any feasible attempt to coach which has left me on the sidelines contemplating my next move. Forced to pivot, I am pursuing an A.A.S. in Paralegal Technology to open doors in the legal field. I plan to complete a second bachelor in communication studies (Public Advocacy Track) and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami.

In 2001, I changed my life by daring to try something new. The wrestling team needed a Varsity Heavyweight and my peers looked to me to fill that role. As a High School freshman, I chose to answer the call and accepted the challenge to compete against the biggest and best. Being the first in my family to step on the mat, I had no experience and a late start which was evident against talented competition. With every disadvantage, suffering losses seemed inevitable. Those losses became lessons that taught me to work harder. I endured the aches/pains of defeat but understood it was part of the process. Shedding all excuses, I embraced discomfort, knowing that someday, I would give it back. Coupling strength and resilience allowed me to transform courage into confidence. In the first year, I had seven wins. My best tournament was a 4th place finish at the Fred T. Foard Tigerland Classic. My proudest moment was pushing my team into the State Dual Championships by refusing to get pinned against a senior. I was awarded the "Most Improved Wrestler," which set me in motion to become the best wrestler I could be. I never imagined how far wrestling would take me. I started with the mindset- "quitting is not an option." Silent cries that repeatedly echoed "keep moving forward" grew into an inner voice that softly whispered, "Dig deeper." Reaching beyond self-limitations, I discovered the ability to wrestle through adversity, allowing me to achieve more than I thought possible. Despite insurmountable odds, I wrestled! As a 2005 Team Captain, I captured a State Championship, set a new school record for "Most Wins in a Season," and claimed a Top-5 record for "Most Career Wins" as a capstone. My success attracted many offers to compete at the next level, leading me to Campbellsville University. Barely eighteen, I was dropped off in Kentucky, living without the luxury of a car, phone, and laptop. I hiked nearly 2 miles for detergent, then walked back/forth to use a coin-fed community laundromat. Suddenly, wrestling became a way of life. With a Pell Grant, a Wrestling Endowment, a Work-study job, and student loans, I still struggled to buy books which left me often going without. Enduring 4 years of hardship to become a first-generation college graduate shows my unwavering commitment to pushing through adversity. Wrestling spawned into something bigger than myself. Though I struggled to see my potential early on, my coaching experience removed the doubt. I uncovered the hidden ability to lift, lead, and empower others. My success is not defined by wins or losses but lies in knowing I can do hard things. One day, I aim to create a performance facility that concentrates on enhancing athletic abilities for high performance athletes who aim to get to the next level. I plan to be the bridge that connects individuals to reaching their dreams. My light shines through the knowledge and experience I have to offer. I have suffered so others don't have to. My passion is wrestling, fitness, and nutrition. My purpose is helping others through difficult times. This is what makes me want to Coach. Many people like myself, have grown up with missing fathers. People need their father to pick them up and tell them it will be ok. There's a lot of us who don't get that. The difference is I had coaches there to tell me to get back up. I didn't realize this until much later in my life but I am grateful for those who believed in me even when I struggled to believe myself.

In 2001, I changed my life by daring to try something new. The wrestling team needed a Varsity Heavyweight and my peers looked to me to fill that role. As a High School freshman, I chose to answer the call and accepted the challenge to compete against the biggest and best. Being the first in my family to step on the mat, I had no experience and a late start which was evident against talented competition. With every disadvantage, suffering losses seemed inevitable. Those losses became lessons that taught me to work harder. I endured the aches/pains of defeat but understood it was part of the process. Shedding all excuses, I embraced discomfort, knowing that someday, I would give it back. Coupling strength and resilience allowed me to transform courage into confidence. In the first year, I had seven wins. My best tournament was a 4th place finish at the Fred T. Foard Tigerland Classic. My proudest moment was pushing my team into the State Dual Championships by refusing to get pinned against a senior. I was awarded the "Most Improved Wrestler," which set me in motion to become the best wrestler I could be. I never imagined how far wrestling would take me. I started with the mindset- "quitting is not an option." Silent cries that repeatedly echoed "keep moving forward" grew into an inner voice that softly whispered, "Dig deeper." Reaching beyond self-limitations, I discovered the ability to wrestle through adversity, allowing me to achieve more than I thought possible. Despite insurmountable odds, I wrestled! As a 2005 Team Captain, I captured a State Championship, set a new school record for "Most Wins in a Season," and claimed a Top-5 record for "Most Career Wins" as a capstone. My success attracted many offers to compete at the next level, leading me to Campbellsville University. Barely eighteen, I was dropped off in Kentucky, living without the luxury of a car, phone, and laptop. I hiked nearly 2 miles for detergent, then walked back/forth to use a coin-fed community laundromat. Suddenly, wrestling became a way of life. With a Pell Grant, a Wrestling Endowment, a Work-study job, and student loans, I still struggled to buy books which left me often going without. Enduring 4 years of hardship to become a first-generation college graduate shows my unwavering commitment to pushing through adversity. Wrestling spawned into something bigger than myself. Though I struggled to see my potential early on, my coaching experience removed the doubt. I uncovered the hidden ability to lift, lead, and empower others. My success is in knowing I can do hard things.

I graduated in May 2024 with an associate in science from Forsyth Technical Community College (FTCC), and my next move was undecided. Following graduation, I began considering my prospects as a Tar Heel with a growing interest in targeting a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This option appeals to me since it is not too far and is a reputable University that is relatively affordable. This allows me to align my interests in pursuing better health/fitness with the opportunity to achieve personal enrichment while attaining professional credentials to allocate toward a rewarding career as a Fitness Professional and Collegiate Wrestling Coach. Unfortunately, the application deadline was sooner than I anticipated, forcing me to wait until next year to apply. In the meantime, I re-enrolled in FTCC to complete an associate in applied science for Teacher Prep. I only needed 15 credits or five courses to complete the program. This meant I could complete two associate degrees in the same year. Upon entering the Teacher Prep Program, I was invited to apply for the role of Student Ambassador, which was presented as a prestigious position with the promise of all expenses paid (covering tuition, fees, and books). Being unemployed and without income, I couldn’t refuse this offer. With no hesitation, I gladly accepted. Upon approval, I was promoted to Lead Student Ambassador, which elevated my position to Team Captain. To meet compliance, I must be enrolled full-time for Fall/Spring. With this predicament, continuing with the Teacher Prep Program wasn't feasible. Continuing this path would have compromised my academic standing by forcing me to take courses that weren’t program-specific and unnecessary for graduation. Moving forward, the result would inevitably show noncompliance with the Ambassador Program. Therefore, I dropped the Teacher Prep Program and re-evaluated my choices. Due to the sudden change, I bounced from one program to another due to issues with course availability. Three times, I had to rearrange my program of study. A few weeks before the start of the new semester, I was still scrambling to find a solution. Time was running out, classes were filling up, and I needed to secure a plan. I didn't want to miss out on this exciting opportunity. To make matters worse, the Director of Student Life and Engagement (SLE) called a meeting to announce Ambassador scholarships were being reduced to a fraction of what was promised. Solely relying on scholarship funding, I couldn’t afford the financial setback and did not consent to this change. Leveraging my knowledge of contracts and attention to detail, I indicated a breach of contract at no fault of my own. I voiced my concerns and grievances through the proper channels to retain the original terms of the agreement, extending full benefits to 17 Ambassadors, myself included. Enduring this experience pointed me in the direction I am currently in. Answering the call to help those who can’t help themselves, I decided to enter the Paralegal Technology Program. Since taking a stand, I have continually advocated for fair treatment and equal protection for all participating parties in the Ambassador Program. I followed up with the SLE Director to discuss and disseminate the forthgoing details about Student Rights and Privileges by initiating a face-to-face conference to spread awareness and uphold the conditions of the agreement. In time, my skills and experience will be a foundation for my application to Miami Law School. I am very interested in studying Entertainment, Art, and Sports Law, specializing in dispute resolution and litigation.

My life changed in 2001 because I had the courage to try something new. The Varsity Wrestling Team needed a Heavyweight and my peers looked to me to fill that role. Although apprehensive, I chose to answer the call. As a High School Freshman, I accepted the challenge to contest against the biggest and best. Again, I had no prior experience and I was the first in my family to step on the mat. Most might say I had a late start which was exposed against talented competitors. Taking losses was expected. Those losses became lessons which taught me to work harder. Having said that, I am confident if l had known then what I know now, it would be a different story. In the beginning, I endured the heavy aches and pains of defeat. I understood it was part of the process, so I made no excuses about it. I recognized the necessity to change my habits and embraced the grind. Early on, I coupled strength with resilience which transformed courage into confidence. I dedicated my life to become the best wrestler I could be. Looking back, I never imagined the impact wrestling would have. I started with the frame of mind that quitting was not an option. As I progressed, I developed strength of mind which evolved into a mindset to keep pushing forward. I discovered I am incredibly strong and capable of doing much more than I ever thought was possible. No matter the challenge in front of me, I realized I could wrestle through it. Even when confronted with significant disadvantages and insurmountable odds, I have consistently shown grit and perseverance. This is a core strength I possess which makes me an asset to any team. As Team Captain, I captured a State Championship to capstone my Senior year with 113 Career Wins and set a NEW School Record for Most Wins in a Season. My success attracted the attention of College Coaches across the Nation which afforded me with the opportunity to compete at the Next level. While young and barely eighteen, I stood against giants who were nearly thirty... and every time, I toed the line. I was a 3-Time National Qualifier on a warpath to become a National Champion. As a Junior, I finished a match away from All-American in 2008. The following Season, I was ranked 8th in the Nation in the Pre-Season Polls. Unfortunately, I was forced to sit out of Nationals due to Coach's decision for 2007 and 2009. Searching for a silver lining, I learned sometimes you don't get second chances. My passion for wrestling and the desire to keep going spawned the courage to enter Coaching. Since graduating Campbellsville University as a First-Generation College Graduate, I have pursued volunteer opportunities to lift and lead others as a Youth Wrestling Assistant Coach. Today, I continue to pursue excellence by targeting a Bachelor in Exercise and Sports Science at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill which I aim to allocate towards a career that I would enjoy. I need your support to push through the financial barriers that stand in the way.

My life changed in 2001 because I had the courage to try something new. The Varsity Wrestling Team needed a Heavyweight and my peers looked to me to fill that role. Although apprehensive, I chose to answer the call. As a High School Freshman, I accepted the challenge to contest against the biggest and best. Again, I had no prior experience and I was the first in my family to step on the mat. Most might say I had a late start which was exposed against talented competitors. Taking losses was expected. Those losses became lessons which taught me to work harder. Having said that, I am confident if l had known then what I know now, it would be a different story. In the beginning, I endured the heavy aches and pains of defeat. I understood it was part of the process, so I made no excuses about it. I recognized the necessity to change my habits and embraced the grind. Early on, I coupled strength with resilience which transformed courage into confidence. I dedicated my life to become the best wrestler I could be. Looking back, I never imagined the impact wrestling would have. I started with the frame of mind that quitting was not an option. As I progressed, I developed strength of mind which evolved into a mindset to keep pushing forward. I discovered I am incredibly strong and capable of doing much more than I ever thought was possible. No matter the challenge in front of me, I realized I could wrestle through it. Even when confronted with significant disadvantages and insurmountable odds, I have consistently shown grit and perseverance. This is a core strength I possess which makes me an asset to any team. As Team Captain, I captured a State Championship to capstone my Senior year with 113 Career Wins and set a NEW School Record for Most Wins in a Season. My success attracted the attention of College Coaches across the Nation which afforded me with the opportunity to compete at the Next level. While young and barely eighteen, I stood against giants who were nearly thirty... and every time, I toed the line. I was a 3-Time National Qualifier on a warpath to become a National Champion. As a Junior, I finished a match away from All-American in 2008. The following Season, I was ranked 8th in the Nation in the Pre-Season Polls. Unfortunately, I was forced to sit out of Nationals due to Coach's decision for 2007 and 2009. Searching for a silver lining, I learned sometimes you don't get second chances. My passion for wrestling and the desire to keep going spawned the courage to enter Coaching. Since graduating Campbellsville University as a First-Generation College Graduate, I have pursued volunteer opportunities to lift and lead others as a Youth Wrestling Assistant Coach. Today, I continue to pursue excellence by targeting a Bachelor in Exercise and Sports Science at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill which I aim to allocate toward a career that I would enjoy and gain personal enrichment out of. I am often told I am an excellent Leader and a great Coach. It's my goal to be the best Leader and Coach I can be. In doing so, I believe I will have the power to influence significant change in the young hearts and minds. I need your support to push through the financial barriers that stand in the way.

My life changed in 2001 because I had the courage to try something new. The Varsity Wrestling Team needed a Heavyweight and my peers looked to me to fill that role. Although apprehensive, I chose to answer the call. As a High School Freshman, I accepted the challenge to contest against the biggest and best. Again, I had no prior experience and I was the first in my family to step on the mat. Most might say I had a late start which was exposed against talented competitors. Taking losses was expected. Those losses became lessons which taught me to work harder. Having said that, I am confident if l had known then what I know now, it would be a different story. In the beginning, I endured the heavy aches and pains of defeat. I understood it was part of the process, so I made no excuses about it. I recognized the necessity to change my habits and embraced the grind. Early on, I coupled strength with resilience which transformed courage into confidence. I dedicated my life to become the best wrestler I could be. Looking back, I never imagined the impact wrestling would have. I started with the frame of mind that quitting was not an option. As I progressed, I developed strength of mind which evolved into a mindset to keep pushing forward. I discovered I am incredibly strong and capable of doing much more than I ever thought was possible. No matter the challenge in front of me, I realized I could wrestle through it. Even when confronted with significant disadvantages and insurmountable odds, I have consistently shown grit and perseverance. This is a core strength I possess which makes me an asset to any team. As Team Captain, I captured a State Championship to capstone my Senior year with 113 Career Wins and set a NEW School Record for Most Wins in a Season. My success attracted the attention of College Coaches across the Nation which afforded me with the opportunity to compete at the Next level. While young and barely eighteen, I stood against giants who were nearly thirty... and every time, I toed the line. I was a 3-Time National Qualifier on a warpath to become a National Champion. As a Junior, I finished a match away from All-American in 2008. The following Season, I was ranked 8th in the Nation in the Pre-Season Polls. Unfortunately, I was forced to sit out of Nationals due to Coach's decision for 2007 and 2009. Searching for a silver lining, I learned sometimes you don't get second chances. My passion for wrestling and the desire to keep going spawned the courage to enter Coaching. Since graduating Campbellsville University as a First-Generation College Graduate, I have pursued volunteer opportunities to lift and lead others as a Youth Wrestling Assistant Coach. Today, I continue to pursue excellence by targeting a Bachelor in Exercise and Sports Science at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill with a double minor in Sports Medicine and Conflict Management which I aim to allocate towards a successful career as a Fitness Professional and Collegiate Wrestling Coach. I need your support to push through the financial barriers that stand in the way.

My life changed in 2001 because I had the courage to try something new. The Varsity Wrestling Team needed a Heavyweight and my peers looked to me to fill that role. Although apprehensive, I chose to answer the call. As a High School Freshman, I accepted the challenge to contest against the biggest and best. Again, I had no prior experience and I was the first in my family to step on the mat. Most might say I had a late start which was exposed against talented competitors. Taking losses was expected. Those losses became lessons which taught me to work harder. Having said that, I am confident if l had known then what I know now, it would be a different story. In the beginning, I endured the heavy aches and pains of defeat. I understood it was part of the process, so I made no excuses about it. I recognized the necessity to change my habits and embraced the grind. Early on, I coupled strength with resilience which transformed courage into confidence. I dedicated my life to become the best wrestler I could be. Looking back, I never imagined the impact wrestling would have. I started with the frame of mind that quitting was not an option. As I progressed, I developed strength of mind which evolved into a mindset to keep pushing forward. I discovered I am incredibly strong and capable of doing much more than I ever thought was possible. No matter the challenge in front of me, I realized I could wrestle through it. Even when confronted with significant disadvantages and insurmountable odds, I have consistently shown grit and perseverance. This is a core strength I possess which makes me an asset to any team. As Team Captain, I captured a State Championship to capstone my Senior year with 113 Career Wins and set a NEW School Record for Most Wins in a Season. My success attracted the attention of College Coaches across the Nation which afforded me with the opportunity to compete at the Next level. While young and barely eighteen, I stood against giants who were nearly thirty... and every time, I toed the line. I was a 3-Time National Qualifier on a warpath to become a National Champion. As a Junior, I finished a match away from All-American in 2008. Unfortunately, I was forced to sit out of Nationals due to Coach's decision for 2007 and 2009. My passion for wrestling and the desire to keep going spawned the courage to enter Coaching. Since graduating Campbellsville University as a First-Generation College Graduate, I have pursued volunteer opportunities to lift and lead others as a Youth Wrestling Assistant Coach. Today, I continue to pursue excellence by targeting a Bachelor in Exercise and Sports Science at the University of North Carolina of Chapel Hill which I aim to allocate towards a career as a Wrestling Coach. I need your support to push through the financial barriers that stand in the way.

If there was ever a scholarship that I wanted to win, this is the one. It's not just about the money, it's about what this scholarship represents. It says I started from the bottom and climbed up. It depicts strength of character and displays perseverance against all odds. I've been in this game long enough to know not all wrestlers are built the same. Many are motivated, and few are driven. When you're the underdog, you've got nothing to lose but a whole lot to prove. This is my underdog story. Growing up, I was overweight and out of shape which made me an easy target for bullies. I have struggled with childhood obesity and depression since age 7. By age 8, I lost my father to suicide. We uprooted and relocated many times throughout the years due to financial hardships. This adversely affected childhood relationships and prevented me from having any kind of normal upbringing. Mom remarried a year later. Soon after, child protective services entered the picture and pull me and my siblings out of our home due to domestic violence. It was one of those situations where the kids get penalized for the parent's misguidance. From age 10 to 12, I was pulled left and right from one foster family to the next due to unavailable space. Eventually, I was settled into a group home for troubled youth in Thomasville, NC for the remainder of time until I could be reunited with my family permanently. By age 13, I entered High School. Up to this point, I had been turned away from playing sports because of my size. This was the same year I encountered George who was a senior bully. He would run up behind me to clinch a chokehold and wouldn't release me until I tapped out. After being attacked not once, not twice, but three times, I decided to fight back. My distressed appearance must have given it away. Once I returned from lunch break, my teacher Mr. Barnes covertly called the front office and sent me to meet with the Vice Principal. Choosing to keep my integrity intact, I confessed to the whole thing. It was my first school fight. I remember being fearful of being expelled or suspended; I would've been ineligible to play sports. Given the chance to have a clean slate, we agreed to shake hands and go our separate ways. Taking initiative, I moved inside during the lunch period. While sitting alone, members of the wrestling team joined me at the table. Not long after, I was recruited for the Varsity Heavyweight spot. The first season, my coaches questioned if I'd stick with it. I remember having these conversations and telling them I'm no quitter. Their response was, "Only time will tell." Getting through the first year was no small task but there was no way I was quitting. Nobody thought I would become one of the most successful wrestlers to exit Glenn High School. My success on the mat propelled me to the next level where I would become a 4-year starting Heavyweight for Campbellsville University where I earned a bachelor's degree as a first-generation college graduate. My passion for wrestling pushes me to continue pursuing excellence as a Professional Athlete and Coach. My setbacks have set me up to become a highly relatable Coach who has struggled so others don't have to. As I trek forward on this path, I'm still having to overcome financial hardships and adversity. With your financial support, I'm able to stay in the fight and will pay it forward by helping others.

Participating in sports allows athletes to develop fundamental skills that go far beyond physical capabilities. In any team sport, you learn to be a team player which innately involves consistent communication, commitment, and discipline. First, you have to show up. Not half the time or most of the time but EVERY time. Then, you need to do your job. When others depend on you to follow through, you are developing trust among your peers by simply doing what you say you'll do. As we work together, we develop attributes such as strength, confidence, and character. In my experience, sports attract people from different backgrounds and allow us to find common ground which in turn, provides an opportunity to learn from one another. Not every player is physically or mentally on the same level and that's OK. It's part of the challenge but I've learned through respect and understanding, we ALL can rise. That's growth! Playing sports has taught me to become a leader. It's forced me to step out of my comfort zone to face failure and overcome fear. Without sports, I'm not sure where I'd be. Having Coaches/Teammates allowed me to reach higher and achieve more than I thought was possible. One of the many lessons I've learned was the value of working as a team. Some of the greatest leaders aren't the ones who strive to do it all themselves but those who delegate positions to others who can perform well at that position. That is exactly what football coaches do. They take massive players and put them in the frontlines to defend the Quarterback. They find tall players who have long limbs to serve as wide receivers because they typically have a height/reach advantage over defenders. The smaller, quick and agile players become your ball carriers since they can move in and out of tight spots with a low center of gravity which helps them maintain their balance while dodging tackles. All of these positions are strategically filled by players who can perform well at the given assignment. In essence, that's sport management. It's understood that nobody wins them all. That said, losses impact players the most. It pushes players to do better by learning from their mistakes. It also shows us the importance of remaining humble. Not everyone understands this but those who do know that no matter what, in victory or defeat, staying humble shows great sportsmanship and character. Sports have significantly impacted my life. With my father's early absence, participating in sports taught me how to be a man of character. It helped me find my purpose. Sad to say, I've encountered coaches who I would describe as poor role models. Having this experience led me to believe I can do better than they did. As an FCA Wrestling Assistant Coach (Volunteer), I've had the pleasure of working with kids (ages 8-18), teaching skills to maximize scoring potential and minimize risk. My coaching philosophy is this, "I struggled so others don't have to." Having a passion for wrestling, health/fitness, and community outreach, I realized my calling was to become a Coach which is one of the many reasons why I'm pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology. By gaining higher education, I know I'll be of greater service to others. Upon completion of my educational goals, I hope to work beside Top Professionals at the highest level. It's my dream to make a difference by impacting many lives in more ways than one. I hope to empower communities and enrich others through health/fitness and I aim to give back to the sport of wrestling.

Growing up as 1 of 5 children who lived on a single source low-income, I had to learn to share everything and believe me, I didn't want to. Money was hard to come by. Dad worked as a self-employed landscaper while mom stayed home with us kids. My dad was the hardest worker I had ever known and seeing him come home drenched in sweat showed me what hard work looked like. At the age of 7, I was taught the pain of working hard as mom and dad persuaded my brother and I to spend a day with dad at work; it'll be fun they said. Dad put us both to work as his helpers. We hustled to clear up the logs and limbs, piling everything into the bed of dads truck. Looking back, I'm grateful for that experience. It gave me a greater appreciation for what it took to put food on the table and taught me a valuable lesson. On that day, my eyes were opened to the reality that if you want something, you've got to work for it. "Money doesn't grow on trees," I heard that a lot in my household. It sounds strange coming from a man who cuts down trees for a living but once I discovered the aches and pains that come with chasing a dollar, those words took on a whole new meaning. Confronted with childhood obesity, I recall being turned away from playing little league football for being too heavy. My dreams were shot out of the sky as I stood on the sidelines watching others have all the fun. I entered Karate and Taekwondo classes but money seemed to always get in the way. While athletics was something I gravitated to, it was always put on hold. Once I reached High School, I no longer had these restrictions to hold me back. The first sport I participated in was wrestling. Pushed past exhaustion and overcoming adversity, I kept coming back. Every day was harder than the last. While faced with the urge to quit, I chose to persevere. Wrestling guided me into the weight room which became the genesis of my strength transformation. I was no stranger to hard work and I carried that over into everything. By senior year, I was a two-sport Team Captain and North Carolina 3-A Heavyweight State Champion in Wrestling. I set a new school record for "Most wins in a Season" and finished as a 4-year Varsity starter with 113 career wins. I set 2 school records in weight lifting for push-press and squat. My success allowed me to earn an athletic endowment which propelled me to compete at the next level as a 4-year Heavyweight Varsity Wrestling Starter at Campbellsville University. I graduated in May 2009 as a First-Generational College Graduate with a Baccalaureate Degree in Business Administration. Fast forward, I'm currently tackling transfer credits at a local Community College to alleviate the financial burden of going "All-In" to tackle a second undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology at the University of Miami. With your support, I know I can do this! Athletics has shaped the person I am today. As a confident leader, I want to give back to those who share my passion for health and fitness. As I move to effect change, I'm calling on your support. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Chad

While there are no guarantees in life, many of us understand that if we want to live a long and prosperous life, having good health is a must. As someone whose struggled with life-long obesity, I have made multiple concerted efforts to practice healthy habits revolving around diet and exercise. My experience has left me asking more questions. Anyone who is driven towards achieving good health most likely understands the journey will take consistency, discipline, commitment, and a conscious effort, both physically and mentally, to follow a regular fitness plan and practice healthy eating habits. As an overweight adolescent, I followed outdated and inaccurate advice that made me believe I had to exchange pizza for salmon and limit many of my available options. Needless to say, I was on an unsustainable path that only led to failure but as a fed up kid with weight troubles and pent up aggression, I was willing to try anything. I trudged from one extreme to another, battling uncontrollable urges that often got the best of me. I felt defeated and the stress seemed to pour on which beget a storm of unconscious overeating habits. This is what the beginning of the end looked like for me. Ultimately, I gained all of weight back and then some which threw me back into the uncomfortable light as the target of every fat joke you could imagine. It's not fun being mocked, made fun of, and gawked at for being abnormally larger than everyone else. Living with obesity has caused me significant pain and mental anguish. I'm left with a negative self-image which forces me to fight through depressing lows that plant seeds of torment and self-loathing hatred towards my body. Under the surface, I'm fighting an endless battle with insecurities and lacking confidence. Consequently, the fear of rejection stirs around inside my head to prevent me from pursuing a relationship with anyone. These days, I continue to struggle with obesity. However, I've become enlightened to understand that developing healthy eating habits begins with finding balance. I believe we have to attack the heart of the matter by targeting a better relationship with food which requires us to change our mindset. As a passionate student, I plan to pursue a higher education in health and fitness. Determined to lead by example, I want to acquire the necessary knowledge to be successful so I can guide others as a leading light through the dark wilderness. I intend to prepare a path for those who choose to follow my footsteps as we journey towards better health. I'm genuinely looking forward to overcoming adversity and many of the challenges put in front of me. Winning this scholarship allows me to continue reaching for personal development and I plan to pay it forward by helping others do the same.

Seek Discomfort! If there's one thing life has taught me, it would be that nobody achieves greatness without facing failure. Failure is essential for human development, it's how we learn and grow. Recognizing that has allowed me to understand that nothing in life would be worth doing if it came easy. The obstacles we all face are put there for a reason. Hard times build strong people and the lessons learned makes us all the wiser. Show me a person who's never failed and I'll show you a person who's never tried. I do not wish for an easy life. I only wish for the strength and patience to overcome the challenges laid in front of me. Most of us grow impatient and expect immediate results but that's not how it works. Slow progress will always be more gratifying than quick success. When chasing mountains of success, you can't skip over the climb and fully appreciate the view if all it took was a snapshot from a camera. Sometimes you've got to experience the grind to fully appreciate what it took to get there. As we move forward, we are confronted with the most readily available option to stop short and give up. Those who choose this option have truly failed. The ancient proverb that says "quitters never prosper" is still true and relevant. Once you decide to drop out of the fight, quitting suddenly becomes an option for the next struggle you endure. Soon one decision becomes several. As creatures of habit, we have to remember to develop good healthy habits. Our habits reflect our character which determines how the rest of the world perceives you. Do you want to be seen as a quitter or winner? Entering high school in 2001, I found the courage to join the VARSITY wrestling team with no prior experience. It was here, I learned the true definition of "HARD". My coaches would ask me throughout my first year if I thought about quitting, "Yes, absolutely" but that's as far as it went. Quitting was not an option, not for me. Pushing beyond my own limitations, I found euphoria. This after-effect made me gravitate to wrestling. With exuberance, I was willing to go through hell and back. Pairing a winners mindset with good healthy habits allowed me to chase down goals that seemed impossible in the beginning. 22 years later, I'm continuing to pursue excellence by seeking a second bachelors degree from the University of Miami. As I ascend towards a new peak in academia, I'm prematurely halted by the overwhelming financial barrier to entry. While exhausting all options, I aim to stay in the fight by seeking scholarship assistance to avoid the stranglehold of student loans. Moving forward with a scholarship would allow me to tackle a higher education in exercise physiology. This positively impacts my life in so many ways. It offers personal enrichment. With a knowledge base in nutrition and exercise, I'd have the opportunity to enhance my health and fitness, improving the overall quality of my life. It's a foundation that supports life changing results to strengthen and impact others through fitness and sports. Continuing my education contributes to a professional coaching career that enables me to obtain financial stability and satisfaction. As a community leader, my education affords me the credibility that comes with being an expert which I believe is essential when modeling leadership. We all have mountains to climb but none of us have to climb them alone.

As a 13 year old High School Freshman, I found the courage to try something new by trying out for the wrestling team in 2001. The team needed a Varsity Heavyweight and I was being recruited for the position. Being the most unfit wrestler on the team, I started miles behind everyone else. Keeping up with team workouts was extremely challenging but I gave it my best. Throughout the year, my coaches would ask me if I thought about quitting- "Yes, everyday!" The thought of quitting certainly infiltrated my thoughts but that's as far as it went. Quitting wasn't an option. I didn't have it in me to turn my back on my coaches and team. I had to finish what I started. Going from the sofa, where pizza and video games were life, to competing against the biggest and best; I recognized the urge to change my habits. This pivot is where my strength training journey emerged. I began weight-lifting each year and set 2 school records in weight-lifting for Push Press (315 lbs) and Squat (595 lbs). In wrestling, I went from having 7 wins my first year to scoring the Most Wins in a Season. I compiled 113 career wins as a 4 year Varsity Starter at Glenn High School. As a rising Junior, I suffered a knee injury at a Summer Wrestling Camp which required surgery and 6 months of rehab. Due to my medical condition, I was forced to sit out of competition for one month into wrestling season. With 8 more wins or two weekend tournaments, I could've captured the school record for Most Career Wins. Instead, I finished ranked among the Top-5. I graduated High School as a North Carolina Academic Scholar, National Honor Society Member, a NCHSAA 3-A Regional/State Champion, and an AAU National Champion. I was the recipient of the Distinguished Athlete Award presented by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and awarded the 2005 Upper Weight Wrestler of the Year Award in the Piedmont Triad Conference. My successful performance in academics/athletics positioned me to obtain a scholarship to wrestle at the next level for Campbellsville University where I became a 4-year starter, 3-Time National Qualifier, and 2007 NAIA Champion of Character. I earned my Bachelors in Business Administration as a First Generational College Graduate. My passion transitioned into coaching. From 2009-2014, I served as a Volunteer Coach for a High School wrestling team. Since June 2021, I've been serving as a Volunteer Coach for an FCA Wrestling Club which requires a 2-hour commute per practice. I've decided to matriculate to the University of Miami as a Transfer Undergraduate to major in Exercise Physiology and Biochemistry/Nutrition. I plan to gain a higher education in Health and Fitness to ascertain credentials that will contribute to a sports coaching career. I intend to get involved with coaching/leadership activities at the University while pursuing a second bachelors degree. As an athlete, I understand the importance coaches play on an athletes development. From building confidence and teaching discipline to developing fundamental skills to maximize your potential, coaches lead the way! As a coach, I've come full circle to witness the impact players have on coaches. Coaching is not a seasonal position but is often treated that way. Athletes are investments that require coaches to sacrifice time, energy, money, and often relationships to dedicate their lives to helping others pursue their goals. As a coach, you learn it's not about wins/losses. It's certainly not about the money. It's about serving a greater purpose. Coaches sacrifice everything to serve others. If that's not God's work, what is?