Pursuing higher education has been one of the most rewarding yet challenging journeys of my life. One of the greatest obstacles I faced was finding ways to fund my undergraduate degree. Like many students, I did not have the luxury of a fully secure financial path, and I had to be resourceful in order to continue my studies. This meant applying for scholarships, working part-time jobs, and carefully budgeting to ensure that tuition and living expenses could be met. At times, the financial strain felt overwhelming, but it also taught me resilience, discipline, and the importance of perseverance. Each semester was a reminder that education is not only an investment in myself but also in the communities I hope to serve. Overcoming these financial challenges has shaped my perspective on the value of education. It has instilled in me a deep appreciation for the opportunities I have been given and a commitment to ensuring that others, particularly those from marginalized or economically struggling backgrounds, can access the knowledge and resources they need to thrive. My academic pursuits in exercise physiology are not simply about advancing my career; they are about equipping me with the tools to give back in meaningful ways. Exercise physiology provides a framework for understanding how movement, nutrition, and lifestyle choices impact long-term health. With this knowledge, I plan to create accessible wellness programs that meet people where they are—whether in community centers, churches, or grassroots initiatives. For example, I envision organizing workshops that teach practical strategies for managing cardiovascular health, preventing chronic disease, and improving overall fitness. These programs would be tailored to the cultural and economic realities of the communities I serve, ensuring that the information is not only scientifically sound but also relevant and actionable. In addition, I hope to mentor young students who face similar financial challenges, showing them that higher education is attainable even when obstacles seem insurmountable. By sharing my own story and providing guidance, I can help others navigate the path to college and beyond. Ultimately, my education will allow me to combine scientific expertise with compassion, creating a model of service that uplifts individuals and strengthens communities. Through perseverance in funding my own education, I have learned that obstacles can become opportunities for growth. My goal now is to use the lessons I have learned and the knowledge I am gaining to empower others, ensuring that health and wellness are accessible to all.

Humanitarian service has always been a central part of my life, and I have found meaningful ways to give back to my community through volunteering with local churches. One of the most impactful acts of service I engage in is helping distribute food to individuals and families who are economically struggling. These food drives are not only about meeting physical needs but also about offering encouragement and compassion. While passing out food, I often take time to pray with community members and listen to their stories. These moments remind me that service is not just about providing resources—it is about building relationships, offering hope, and affirming dignity. This work has shown me firsthand how health and wellness are deeply connected to social and economic circumstances. Many of the individuals I meet face barriers that extend far beyond food insecurity. They often lack access to consistent healthcare, safe spaces for exercise, or reliable information about how to care for their bodies. These challenges reinforce my commitment to pursuing a career in exercise physiology, where I can combine scientific knowledge with community-centered service to address disparities in health outcomes. My academic goals in exercise physiology are not only about advancing my career but also about equipping me to serve more effectively. Through my studies, I am gaining a deeper understanding of how exercise influences cardiovascular health, metabolic function, and overall well-being. This knowledge will allow me to design programs and interventions that are evidence-based and culturally relevant. For example, I envision creating accessible wellness workshops for underserved communities, where I can teach practical strategies for improving health through movement, nutrition, and stress management. These workshops could be hosted in familiar community spaces, such as churches or recreation centers, making them approachable and inclusive. In addition, my education will prepare me to advocate for marginalized populations in clinical and academic settings. By highlighting the unique challenges faced by economically struggling communities, I can help ensure that research and healthcare practices reflect diverse needs. My goal is to use exercise physiology not only as a scientific discipline but also as a tool for empowerment. Just as I currently serve by distributing food and offering prayer, I will continue to serve by sharing knowledge, promoting wellness, and fostering environments where individuals feel supported in their health journeys. Ultimately, my humanitarian service and academic pursuits are deeply intertwined. Volunteering with local churches has taught me the importance of compassion and presence, while my education in exercise physiology is equipping me with the skills to address systemic health disparities. Together, these experiences shape my vision of service: to meet immediate needs with empathy and to create long-term solutions that promote health equity. By continuing to give back in both practical and educational ways, I hope to make a lasting impact on my community and inspire others to see wellness as a shared responsibility.

The medical and wellness fields have long struggled with a lack of diversity, a gap that affects everything from the questions researchers ask to the quality of care patients receive. As a future leader in exercise physiology, I intend to challenge this status quo by ensuring that marginalized communities are not only included in the conversation but actively empowered with knowledge and resources. My vision is rooted in both professional responsibility and personal experience, particularly through the example of my father’s monthly walks in Durham, North Carolina. These walks bring together community members in an informal but meaningful way, and they represent the type of grassroots engagement that can transform health education and accessibility. Exercise physiology is often presented in academic or clinical settings that feel distant from the lived realities of marginalized populations. Many individuals in these communities face barriers such as limited access to healthcare, financial constraints, or cultural mistrust of medical institutions. These barriers mean that critical information about exercise, recovery, and prevention often fails to reach the people who need it most. By embedding myself in community spaces—like my father’s walks—I can bridge this gap. Instead of expecting individuals to come to the clinic or classroom, I will bring evidence-based exercise physiology directly to them, in language and formats that resonate with their daily lives. For example, during these walks, I plan to share practical insights about cardiovascular health, hydration, and safe exercise practices. Rather than overwhelming participants with technical jargon, I will translate complex physiological concepts into accessible advice. Explaining how regular walking supports heart remodeling, or how hydration aids thermoregulation, can empower participants to see their own activity as a form of preventive medicine. This approach not only educates but validates the cultural and social practices already present in the community, reinforcing that wellness does not have to be confined to elite gyms or medical centers. Cultural specificity is central to this mission. Marginalized communities are not monolithic, and health interventions must respect cultural traditions, dietary practices, and social structures. In Durham, for instance, many participants may share meals after walks or connect through church groups. By aligning exercise physiology education with these cultural touchpoints, I can ensure that the information feels relevant and actionable. This means discussing nutrition in the context of familiar foods, or framing stress management strategies in ways that resonate with community values. Such specificity acknowledges the lived experiences of participants and builds trust, which is essential for long-term behavior change. Beyond direct education, I also plan to use these community interactions as a feedback loop for research. Too often, marginalized voices are excluded from the design of studies, leading to findings that fail to capture diverse realities. By listening to participants during these walks—understanding their challenges, preferences, and successes—I can refine research questions and methodologies to be more inclusive. This not only strengthens the scientific validity of exercise physiology but ensures that future interventions are equitable and culturally responsive. Ultimately, my goal is to redefine what leadership in health and wellness looks like. It is not enough to excel in academic research or clinical practice; true leadership requires engaging with communities on their own terms. By leveraging grassroots initiatives like my father’s monthly walks, I can challenge the systemic lack of diversity in the field and demonstrate that exercise physiology belongs to everyone. In doing so, I hope to inspire other professionals to step outside traditional boundaries and bring science into the spaces where people live, gather, and thrive.

When I walked into the gym, my stomach was eating itself. Even though I had devoted countless hours to the sport, I knew I would have to put on a show this evening. After my embarrassing performance trying out for my old coach's new AAU basketball team, I had to regroup if I would play AAU this season. During this tryout, I was out of position multiple times on defensive drills, close to last on sprints, and lost the ball during ball-handling drills. The only memorable thing I did during the tryout was make a three-pointer from the left wing, which I had extensively worked on all summer. I knew basketball was something I wanted to do since the 7th grade when I broke my arm. The experience of healing and the work I had to do to recover and be 100% inspired me to want to support others in similar situations. I have had inspiring conversations with physical therapists in the area, which has helped me prepare for the future. During this tryout, it felt like all of that was in jeopardy. It felt like something I had worked so hard for would be taken away. At first, I started doing some defensive drills, and it took me some time to get comfortable in the defense they wanted to run, but being as focused as I was, I regrouped and understood what to do. Then I was thrust onto offense, where I was supposed to cut toward the rim, make crisp passes, and not turn the ball over. Normally, I would stand on the three-point line and cut whenever necessary, but I knew I needed to put on a show. I decided to seek the basketball and make quick decisions with it. Doing this worked in my favor because I had great success getting into the lane and making great shots and passes. Now, it was time for the ultimate test, the scrimmage. The last thing I remember before the game started was, "It's go time, Daniel, don't look back." I did precisely that, and I was everywhere on the basketball court. I was making three-pointers, getting both offensive and defensive rebounds, playing good defense, and, more importantly, feeling like I belonged on the court. When the tryout was over, I knew I gave it my all. A couple of weeks later, I received a call from one of the coaches, who said they wanted me on the team. Instantly, I knew I was supposed to play for this team. Even though we weren't the best team, we were a family, a brotherhood, which is all sports is about building bonds through teamwork and perseverance.

As a college student, my journey toward a career in public health and sports medicine is deeply rooted in my personal experiences and the influence of my family. This profound connection fuels my determination to merge my passion for sports and medicine, and to give back to the community that has shaped me. My father's recent revelation about his unexplored potential in other sports struck a chord with me. It sparked a vision of a future where we can provide the next generation with diverse experiences, nurturing their talents beyond the confines of a single sport. This vision has solidified my desire to create a transformative training center that not only develops athletes in their sports but also equips them with academics, financial literacy, and life skills. The guiding principles for this center are diversification, development, and dedication, all aimed at empowering the athletes of tomorrow. My vision for the training center is not just to provide high-quality training, but to redefine the traditional model. It will be a place where athletes not only hone their skills but also receive comprehensive education on training techniques, rest, and nutrition. This holistic approach aims to develop athletes not just in their sports, but also as individuals. My passion for public health has heightened my awareness of social issues, particularly health disparities among African Americans. This awareness has driven my ambition to work directly in the field, advocating for change, education, and support. I believe that by enhancing accessibility to quality healthcare for all individuals, I can contribute to addressing the inequities that affect my community and ensure that everyone can lead a healthy life. Through my training center, I hope to provide a space where young athletes can excel in their sports while also gaining the skills necessary for success off the field. By emphasizing diversification, development, and dedication, I aim to create well-rounded individuals who are prepared for the challenges of the outside world. My ultimate objective is to help the next generation achieve their full potential, both in sports and life, while also contributing to reducing health disparities in underserved communities. This vision is not just a career goal but a commitment to making a meaningful impact. I am dedicated to creating opportunities for young athletes to thrive and promoting health equity. Working with this community, I am committed to leaving the world in a better place and fixing the disparities as best I can.

As I near the end of my undergraduate journey, my future plans are constantly on my mind. After obtaining my bachelor’s degree, I am excited to start my career in the field of sports medicine. The diverse experiences I have gained working with various populations have solidified my desire to help individuals from all walks of life achieve their goals. However I want to make sure helping my community is at the forefront. My main objective is to find employment where I can combine my passion for medicine and sports. Additionally, I am committed to giving back to my community, which has shaped me into the person I am today. Recently, my father shared something that resonated deeply with me. He often spoke about his prowess on the basketball court, but he mentioned that if he had the opportunity to explore other sports, he would have taken it. This revelation inspired me to think about how to provide the next generation with diverse experiences. I now aspire to create a center where I can train athletes to excel not only in sports but also in academics, financial literacy, and life skills. My vision is to help them become well-rounded individuals prepared for the outside world. The foundation of this center will be built on three core principles: diversification, development, and dedication. Through these principles, I aim to foster an environment that promotes holistic growth and success for every athlete. I believe that I can take the model of training centers from famous athletes such as Brandon Marshall and the late Kobe Bryant and take it to the next level. I believe that I can combine high-quality training, with the knowledge of how to train, how to rest, and how to eat nutritiously. It is my goal to help the next generation have a space to grow as a person.

Over the past several years, people all around the world have experienced an event no one could have ever predicted. These unexpected circumstances have impacted everyone in different ways. Some people have lost their jobs, and family members and others have felt isolated. Even though I have experienced loss in my family due to COVID-19 I choose to focus on the positive. However, it has given me time to reflect on the change in my community and the world at large. Before the pandemic, I thought change was something that happened periodically, and promoted growth. Although I still believe that change does not have to be periodic today, it can be irregular. Before COVID-19 I set a lot of long-term goals. Ever since the pandemic, I made a switch to set short-term goals to be more productive. Before the pandemic, you would most likely hear me saying how much of an introvert I am, or how I don’t like being at school. Ever since the pandemic, I have learned how much I miss being inside the classroom or seeing my friends regularly. Over the past 6 months, I have seen only a couple of my closest friends 2 or 3 times. This is a drastic decrease since I did everything with them before the pandemic started. We used to play basketball, go to the mall, go get food, and play video games every weekend. Now I have been lucky to see them for 5 minutes every other month. Along with not being able to see my friends it has also been challenging not being in the classroom for my senior year. In 2020, there are certain instances where the idea of fairness has shifted. When Breonna Taylor was shot in her own home or Ahmaud Arbery was killed while jogging, I thought that they would receive justice. When I learned that society gave their killers limited punishments it got me thinking. What if this was an African American man killing a young Caucasian male or female? Should I be worried about my father, who often likes to jog in our neighborhood? That was the day I learned that minorities should think of fairness as an ideal and not a reality. But despite that, I still have hope. Due to the election's record-breaking numbers, I realized that the concept of fairness is still obtainable, but people have to work together for change to occur. I have been a member of the Durham Men’s Health Council for the past 5 years. The focus of this organization is to promote men’s health, prevent disease, and protect the environment. Being in the Durham Men's Health Council I have learned about health disparities for minorities, and over the past several months, I have heard about the lack of care for minority Coronavirus patients. The disparity between black and brown people's infection rates and outcomes is different and that is not fair since, in North Carolina, African Americans make up nearly a quarter of all those infected. In the future, I want to work directly in the field so I can promote change, education, and support and allow for more accessibility to quality care to all that need care.

Over the past several months, people all around the world have experienced an event no one could have ever predicted. These unexpected circumstances have impacted everyone in different ways. Some people have lost their jobs, some have lost family members, and others have felt isolated. Even though I have experienced loss in my own family due to COVD-19 I choose to focus on the positive. However, it has given me time to reflect on the world in a rapid state of change and the concept of fairness. Before the pandemic, I thought change was something that happened periodically, and it promoted growth. Although, I still believe that today, change does not have to be periodic, but it can be irregular and very calculated. Before COVID-19 I set a lot of long term goals. Ever since the pandemic, I made a switch to set short term goals to be more productive. Before the pandemic, you would most likely hear me saying how much of an introvert I am, or how I don’t like being at school. Ever since the pandemic, I have learned how much I miss being inside the classroom or seeing my friends regularly. Over the past 6 months, I have seen only a couple of my closest friends 2 or 3 times. This is a drastic decrease since I did everything with them before the pandemic started. We used to play basketball, go to the mall, go get food, and play video games every weekend. Now I have been lucky to see them for 5 minutes every other month. Along with not being able to see my friends it has also been challenging not being in the classroom for my senior year. At the beginning of the school year I had to adapt to not having a teacher in my face teaching a lesson, but taking notes on my own so I am prepared for class. I also had to dig deep to find motivation so I could focus while taking classes online at home. 2020 hasn’t been normal, but it has taught me about myself. The concept of fairness has changed drastically during this year. Before this year, fairness looked achievable to me. I thought that if something bad happened to me, then something good will soon follow. An example of this would be after my grandmother passed, I had a hard time adjusting to her absence. My grades started to slip, I wasn’t going places with friends, and overall I was not feeling like myself. My parents saw the difference in me and they took me out and gave me advice to help me feel better. It was with them that I started to turn around. Even though the loss of my grandmother was troubling at first, I was able to become closer with my parents after that challenging time. In 2020, there are certain instances where the idea of fairness has shifted. When Breonna Taylor was shot in her own home or Ahmaud Arbery was killed while jogging, I thought that they would receive justice. When I learned that society gave their killers limited punishments it got me thinking. What if this was an African American man killing a young Caucasian male or female? Should I be worried about my father, who often likes to jog in our own neighborhood? That was the day I learned that minorities should think of fairness as an ideal and not a reality. But despite that, I still have hope. Due to the election’s record-breaking numbers, I realized that the concept of fairness is still obtainable, but people have to work together for change to occur. I have been a member of the Durham Men’s Health Council for the past 3 years. The focus of this organization is to promote men’s health, prevent disease, and protect the environment. Being in the Durham Men’s Health Council I have learned about health disparities for minorities, and over the past several months, I have heard about the lack of care for minority Coronavirus patients. The disparity with black and brown people infection rates and outcomes are different and that is not fair since, in North Carolina, African Americans make up nearly a quarter of all those infected. In the future, I want to work directly in the field so I can promote change, education, support and allow for more accessibility to quality care to all that need care.