When I see this photo of Evan, I see greatness. I see opportunity, change, and freedom. I am living proof that these qualities can go from imagined to realistic. Like so many people, I was walking a path of self-destruction by my life choices. It was during my first try at college that drinking, smoking, and not eating, became my normal routine. I was only eighteen years old and not showing my full potential. I made sure that I would receive pretty good grades, but the substances were my way of rewarding myself for it. I had dreams and hopes of how life could be, but couldn't seem to find a way out of this lifestyle. My sisters and I would play with Barbies as kids and at four years old, our family bought our first camcorder. It was magical to me! We would reenact Jurassic Park with our dolls and record it. These moments would put me on a trajectory to want to create films as a profession. Though at the age of 6, I began to stray from that path, thinking that I wasn't worth the effort. I was abused at that age and my young adult life would become about coping with this trauma rather than fueling my dreams of becoming a filmmaker. At 21, I left film school in Colorado with an Associate's Degree in writing and directing for television and film. I left with enough experience to work on independent films as basically the errand girl for film sets, which was very far from my dream job as a director or producer. I would find office jobs and hustle with side video production gigs, but never seemed to be happy where I was. I was drinking and smoking less and fed myself properly, but hangovers were still a part of my routine. This all changed when at 27, I went through a breakup that became the pinnacle of recognizing that I am worth every effort of investing in myself and my future! Do you know how they say that the 27 Club consists of rock stars that died far too early (at age 27)? Janis Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, and others made some great accomplishments in just 27 years of their life. They lost their life at 27, and I found mine. I thank the universe all the time for that breakup. It made me realize that I can create my future through the choices I make. I decided to dedicate my life to filmmaking and landed a job as a full-time in-house video producer for a mental health treatment center in Denver 3 years later. Finally, I recognized that if I wanted to embody opportunity, change, freedom, and greatness, I would need to further my education. In 2022, I decided to go back to school for my Bachelor's Degree in Digital Film. Now, at the ripened age of 35, I have 12 more classes to go and all the ambition in the world, knowing that the choices I make now will impact my future. If I could teach my experience through these life lessons I would, but I think that is why I feel drawn to creating movies. I want to show through my videos that opportunities are possible. When I see pictures of people like Evan, I am reminded that we all have greatness instilled within us. All we have to do is choose it.