Many physical therapists have similar origin stories. Attending therapy due to an injury is a typical spark to a passion for remedying the body through exercise and self-care. Mine came from an injury as a ten-year-old in gymnastics, which uncovered an underlying issue of undiagnosed scoliosis. Correcting my spine would allow me to dismount without feeling as much pain. When I went to my own treatment, the therapist was transparent and spoke to me about how I would be feeling and why I was needing to do my exercises. He explained every detail, down to the cells and nerves. He wanted to inform me about not only the treatment education but also any physical education moving forward. I was inspired immediately to pursue this type of career.  Years later, when I hit my twenties, I learned that exercise and fitness were getting harder to plan. I had no college sports to fall back on and needed to find my own drive to pursue new hobbies. I couldn't sit at home and relax on the couch because I was overwhelmed from studying. I found that hiking, even traveling to new places, ignited euphoria and a life of adventure. I wanted others to feel the same way I did—to feel alive. I will utilize the knowledge from what I learned in the program to guide people in my community toward healthier lifestyles and allow a safe and easier way to get involved in hobbies and feel comfortable. For injury treatments, I want to help people get back to optimal functioning and feel like they can get their lives back. I plan to make this career my lifelong commitment. Even if I'm not directly working in the clinical sense, as long as I am working with anatomy and exercise, I will continue to be educated. Having a breadth of knowledge in new studies for physical therapy will help my path and the many patients that I interact with. The career is always improving and updating every year, it seems. I have to be well-informed about the decades- to centuries-old history of the occupation. Journals, research articles, or oral conversations are all places where I can get my treatment education. Being informed on many to all forms of treatment will enable me to aid a wide variety of pathologies. The more I know, the better I can find the direct source for their injury concerns and find the best unique exercises for each of my clients.

Mario Kart is the prime go to game when hosting a party with friends and family. It's a game you can play during game nights, holiday parties, and even travel destinations. Many times when I host parties I set a switch up in the basement and project it on the big screen. More times than not, hardly anyone is talking upstairs, they are hollering and playing an extremely competitive race. It's a beautiful sight to see all my friends together having fun. It takes away all the worries I have in life and is a great reminder that sometimes that we have to stay in the moment. While this is a great memory, it does not solidify my top choice as the most memorable. That right would go to my current fiancee and soon to be wife. The moment we received the switch, we were both elated, in our own different ways. She was more excited than I was because I hardly play any video games, but I was excited to spend time with her. Her being a nurse and me being in school, it's hard finding that quality time together. We opened the box instantly and began assembling it. We didn't stop until we played at least 3 games! Playing this game gave us this simple joy that we could be competitive over, tease each other over, and having that special time to be in each other presence. Now, when we get the time, we play it again and it makes us feel alive. Seeing her smile and always biting the inside of her mouth when she concentrates will always be my best view.

This year I didn't have much time to watch the olympics, but one person I did try and keep tabs on was Sam Kendricks. Sam Kendricks is a pole vaulter who graduated from Ole Miss and has attended three olympics. Now, to me, I feel like he exemplifies what it means to be a USA olympic athlete. He has only won a bronze and recently a silver medal. He has gone up against other pole vaulters like Renaud Lavillenie and Armand Duplantis both of whom have had better records and received gold. What is different, though, is that Sam is always in the conversation, consistent, and doesn't go down without a fight. Each meet he competes in, you can guarantee that the face-off is going to be tight until the very end. What I like about him is that he always looks like he's having fun. He also never looks like he's frustrated. If he's ever in a rut, you'll never visibly see it. Concealment is his craft and he's determined to go out on his own terms. I like watching him because his form is beautiful and it reminds me of when I did pole vault in high school. My form or clearance height never matched his, but I always wanted to emulate him and try to foster his spirit every time I ran down the runway. He's an amazing athlete and person. I hope he one day gets his gold. He's one person who deserves it more than anyone.

Travel is a true eye opener. Whether it’s to get away for a mental break, to seek a new part of the world, or to achieve goals. Learning and growing can be a part of the journey and the reason why many people travel to certain places. Other times it can come out of nowhere and teach a lesson that will be valued for a lifetime. Traveling beyond the familiar may inspire a sense of cultural acculturation. Most oftentimes it’s temporary and other times it can become family traditions. Any culture is meant to be shared and spread to all those who wish to learn. In order to have this transformation, it has to come from key observations and reflections. Noticing community conversations and even speaking with locals can engender thoughts on what to bring back to the homelife or possibly change for the better. Positive outlooks, like community involvement and friendliness would want to be brought back. Maybe this will be reflected when talking to family members or to someone down the street. A simple hello can go a long way. Negative impacts like neighborly disrespect or pollution would not want to be brought back, but rather to enforce change. Tasting new food is another huge factor when incorporating oneself in culture. Whether it's to try new foods never tasted before, or to find a change in diet for healthier benefits. All of these aspects expand the self-actualization that the world is large and how small an individual truly is inside it. Personal goals can be a priority when traveling. Many travelers like to accomplish feats and get involved with adventurous endeavors like hiking summits of mountains, scuba diving, biking, and even more physical activities. It provides the thrill to feel alive and not live in the stagnant flow of working constantly to make ends meet. Every worry and stressful task is left behind as the activity is the only focus. Once the feat is achieved, the weight is lifted off the shoulders, cleansing the mind, and finally noticing the wonder that the earth has to offer. These activities hone in on the need to extend the physical lifestyle and even centralize the well-being of an individual. It can even stimulate the realization that any difficult tasks at home can be managed. People perform ridiculous stunts, now it’s time to find the strength to know that anything is achievable. It’s all about taking the steps, no matter how small, as long as it’s in the correct direction, to achieve the goals. Traveling can allow someone to take a step back, hit refresh, and try again after the trip. It’s an opportunity for the brain to relax and figure out another approach to a problem. Finding inner peace not only helps in the middle of a high strung work life, but can help in the future, if an individual accepts the character development. The learning and growing comes when people choose to accept what the trip has to offer.

Recovery is a breath of fresh air, the weight that is alleviated off the shoulders, the clarity to which there are no clouds and no temptations. There is only a closed door behind you that will remain locked with no reason to turn back. Recovery is finding excitement and the drive to pursue everyday’s great wonders like it’s your last, instead of wishing everyday was your last. I have no strings or no vise grip to hold me down. I’m not stuck in the same rut day in and day out. A new day and a new path is unfolding and I’m eager to venture into the uncertainty, because I know it’ll be better than what I’ve experienced. I know I had finally recovered when I left everything where it was and didn’t look back. I knew I had finally found my paradise. To stand and burrow my feet in the sand, watching the waves crash into the shore as the horizon sun gently graced my face.

One could say that I didn’t have the college life or the sunshine that follows after a heavy thunderstorm that was high school. When I went to college, I thought everything was going to fall into place. I had my family, my friends, and some semblance of a career I would be invested in. I even figured out what hobbies would keep me happy and inspire me to look through the hardships and muck. What I didn’t see coming was how my mental health drastically fell out of the sky. A few things dampened my spirits before I arrived at the university. My friends went to different colleges and I didn’t get to talk to them as often. My brother, who is an enormous support system for me, decided to leave the state and focus on his career, which I can’t blame him for. My girlfriend left to study abroad in a different country, which took a toll on me as well. I began to become frightened of starting my own career and worried I wouldn’t survive college. I didn’t have these outlets to divulge my feelings to. What dealt the heaviest blow was the death of my father. I became bitter. I was upset with the world. I was enraged that my dad died leaving so much of his knowledge that’ll never be passed down. He will never be there for any other significant parts of my life moving forward. I bottled my emotions and became fixed that I hated my dad for abandoning me. I then felt ever more abandoned once I realized I had no one else to help me. My attitude was awful and I saw no reason to try in life anymore. My grades never had that igniting start and a couple weeks later my advisors suggested that college wasn’t right for me at this time. I didn’t know what to do, so I went to the only person who would have a clue of what I’ve gone through; my mom. We sat there, having a long conversation about feeling abandoned and what I could do to do better in school. She had told me that things happen in life that we can’t control, and when these bad things happen we can’t let it deter us from the path we’re meant to follow. She had told me to try and connect with my friends again, and that they may be in the same boat too. Possibly try to Facetime my girlfriend every so often to keep a spark in the relationship. She suggested messaging my brother and talk to him whenever I could. She also told me that no matter what, my dad is always there for me. Which I thought was silly considering he’d already left the living, but I decided to go with it. I focused harder on school, not only for myself, but for my mom and my dad. My ultimate goal was to make them proud and accomplish my dreams from the foundation they provided. I reached out to my friends and we all decided to come together to talk about school and even try to help each other out. It was almost as if we created our own fraternity between different programs. I messaged my girlfriend and brother about facetiming whenever we could. Having that outlet definitely brought the excitement back into studying and learning something new. My grades began to rise and by the end of my second semester I made it on the Dean’s list. I finally was getting out of my hole when suddenly the corona virus swept through the nation. I felt the impact immediately at my job and throughout the campus. A few weeks in I almost couldn’t handle it again. I crawled underneath the covers and never wanted to come out. My grades were slightly slipping and I didn’t want to experience the same pain again. I wanted to die there because the life I had envisioned for myself would never be the same. I sat there for far too long when suddenly I asked myself what I was doing. Hiding and letting the world move around me while I sat was not the way to go. It’s not what my parents envisioned, certainly not my dad. I needed to keep pushing forward. I was reminded of a scene from a movie my mom had shown me when I was younger. Rocky Balboa, standing on the sidewalk talking to his son at night. He was almost aggressive in his guidance when he said that life is not always rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes you get knocked down, but you’ve always got to get back up and keep pushing forward. That no one is to blame for the hardships and no one is going to unknowingly help. You’ve got to find it in yourself to rise and create a life that you want to have for yourself. From then on out, I never wanted to feel that darkness again or experience what I had before college. I wanted to be better and choose a life and career for myself as intended. My escape from a damaged mental health might not be the same for everyone. I’m thankful that I did escape to a more well-being aspect of mental health. What I do now is to keep an open mind of how other people react and live. I for sure don’t know what they’re going through, but I will help them out if they desire and be the shoulder support like my mom had provided for me. I’m always there for my family, friends, and girlfriend and have created a strong bond between them all. I try to always have a positive outlook on life and smile and laugh in the face of adversity. Any struggle I go through now does not deter me. What I tell myself is that this event is a character building moment and that I will achieve and exceed my limitations.

My father was an alcoholic. He had a difficult past and couldn’t find a way to get beyond his troubles or a way to heal properly. He took a step back and he wasn’t around as much. He began drinking more, forcing my mom to separate because she couldn’t handle it anymore. As a teenager, selfishness and the need of a father swirled my mind, something that clouded my thoughts and judgment. I never once considered how he felt. I only saw what I wanted to see. I looked at him with hate and I will regret that every single day. I didn’t know the whole story back then and didn’t understand what emotions he was feeling. If I was who I am now, back then, I would run to him and apologize and try to talk to him. Try to heal him and find a method that would work best for him instead of drinking. For a long time I was conflicted on how I felt. I was upset with him that he drank himself to death, but sad that he found that drinking was his only comfort. I was upset that he won’t be there for any events of my life anymore, but I miss him and wish I could talk to him. When I was a teenager, when he was still alive, I was told never to turn out like him. I agreed, but I always remembered how he was when I was younger. He was amazing and was always around and supportive. His death happened right after high school graduation and before having college there to help me find who I was supposed to be, I was already trying to piece together who to be and who not to be. His death showed me the value of life and experiences. It also showed me how you should treat someone respectfully and with kindness, because you don’t know what journey they’ve been on to get to that point. It also forced me that when I’m at my lowest that I’m not alone, I need only ask and someone will help. I learned that life isn’t fair, even in the cruelest of ways, and that I can’t give up or lose myself. If I lose myself, I’m letting other people down. If I lose myself, I’m not finding a purpose in my life to give the reason why my dad left an impact on me or how my dad’s first born child left an impact on him. He needed to find that reason to live, if not for him, then for the child he lost or for the other children he still had. To cope, I write to my dad and journal about my day or what I hope to do and who to become. I tell him how I’m living life and what new and exciting events I did or plan to do. I write to him things that he used to do like carpentry and writing poems. It makes me feel like he’s listening and there with me. He, like many people, has influenced my life greatly. Currently I’m going to school for Physical Therapy. One aspect that particularly draws me to physical therapy is its holistic approach. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, physical therapists consider the entire individual—mind, body, and spirit. This perspective aligns with my belief in treating the root causes of issues. I aspire to contribute to the profession by promoting greater direct access and patient-centered care, where individuals are actively involved in their rehabilitation process, leading to more effective results.

I started off wanting to go to school for architecture. In high school, I prepared for this by taking Drafting CAD courses and woodshopping to understand buildings and construction. Heading to college I even applied and got accepted to the School of Architecture for Nebraska in Lincoln. Then I went on this trip to Grand Teton National Park and began hiking the soiled, rocky trails and switchbacks. We hiked for sixteen miles in one whole day! I felt like we'd been everywhere on the map and in reality we didn't even scratch the surface. I was alive and free moving, screaming "Go Big Red," as we looked across the valley toward Phelps Lake! I had an epiphany, the one and only major sign that I knew my calling. I knew my career was in physical therapy. It just made sense. At its core, physical therapy is about restoring and enhancing movement and function. This resonated with me and I wanted to be able to inform people that the ability to move freely not only affects our physical health, but also plays a crucial role in mental and emotional well-being. Whether it's recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or regaining mobility after surgery, physical therapy empowers individuals to reclaim control over their bodies and lives. There I knew that physical therapy was for me and I instantly switched my pursuits and went to the University of Nebraska Omaha for a bachelor degree in Biology and minor in Psychology. After I graduated undergraduate, I would apply for physical therapy schools and work on obtaining my doctorate. From the beginning I knew a biology degree would be great because in encompasses many materials within the living organisms on the planet. I didn't want to focus too heavily of exercise sciences because I can study that myself and invest my time in building different perspectives in my resume. Psychology on the other hand was recognized to study and analyze behaviors to better treat patients. Once I graduated, I applied to physical therapy programs like I wanted. I shadowed a few facilities and worked many hours in a pharmacy clinic. During the pandemic there really wasn't many available times to invest in building my resume. I failed my first attempt into getting into any program after I was placed on a waitlist. After finally getting rejected once the school year started I promised I wouldn't have that happen again. I bolstered my application by accruing over one-hundred observation hours, dwarfing my previous sixteen. I volunteered well over fifty hours and still continued to work at the pharmacy. In some spare time, I even picked up other activities such as rock climbing, rafting, snow/sand boarding, golf, and tennis to let my programs know that I want to prepare myself with sports and what injuries that could arise from them because I had the first hand experience. This failure pushed me to be the best version of myself that I thought I could never find. I usually was a timid person, but now I'm confident with my character. I can see that failure is the best teacher and I hope to learn from what transpired. I did in fact get accepted to the University of Nebraska Medical Center Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program where I will become the best physical therapy I possibly can be. I may have my ups and downs, but I won't be discouraged. Failure is but a friend and I welcome it to try and knock me down again.

How I'd best sum up who I am, I would say a jack of all trades, the master of none, yet most often better than a master of one. I grew up in the Omaha, Nebraska area, where, as a kid, I was involved in so many different sports. I did soccer, baseball, competitive swimming, golf, and gymnastics. In high school, I went on to do football, marching band, and pole vault. For me, all I knew was sports, how to be active, and the benefits. I went on to undergraduate at the University of Nebraska Omaha and received a degree in Biology and a minor in Psychology in hopes of becoming a physical therapist. I did not pursue any sports in college, but I knew I wanted to invest in other activities or hobbies. I took up rock climbing and hiking. I have become so fixated on hiking that now my favorite trips I take are mainly focused around the national parks. So far I've gone to fifteen parks! Outside of physical activities, I've taken up carpentry, automotive, and DIY home renovations. I love to spend time with my family and friends and love to try new things. I always find the excitement of interacting with something new. For the moment, I'm about to head to graduate school where I'm in the University of Nebraska Medical Center Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program. My goal when I head to DPT school is to get the most out of the program. I want to meet new people, invest my time in extracurricular activities, and get good grades. I want to become the best physical therapist I possibly can be. My ultimate goal is to become a neurological and/or sports physical therapist. Maybe later on down the road I could one day either own my practice or be a travel therapist where I work cash-based to better help my patients with the payments. Financial freedom. That's the first thing that comes to mind when I think of scholarships, in particular, how this one will help me. Winning this scholarship not only will save me a bit of money, but will allow me to focus more on my studies as a student physical therapist and not work as many part-time hours. Winning this scholarship will help me keep the money I have saved up for graduate school and use it for other payments, such as mortgage payments or helping with groceries to keep my fiance, dog, and myself fed. To circle back around, winning any scholarship and even this one pays off enormously. It engenders a relief of financial freedom. Being able to study for my classes will enable me to become the best physical therapist possible, not only for myself but for my community. Now, if you've ever met me, you might not assume that I like heavy metal music. Most people don't even know what music I listen to due to my capability to bop out to anything. Heavy Metal music means so much more than the actual lyrics or sound, it brings up fond memories. My mother and father loved to listen to heavy metal, so much that my mom would jam out with one leg on the dashboard while strumming her guitar (steering wheel). It was quite a scene! Right now, though, she hasn't listened to as much heavy metal since my dad passed. I believe she loves to save the occasion to make it feel like he's still here with us. I'm all on board for it too, because it does bring the best of memories. Every time I hear it, I can't help but envision my mom and dad dancing and jamming out when they were cooking dinner.

Physical therapy holds significant importance to me due to its transformative impact on individuals' lives and overall well-being. As someone passionate about healthcare and dedicated to improving the quality of life for others, I see physical therapy as a powerful means to achieve these goals. At its core, physical therapy is about restoring and enhancing movement and function. This resonates with me through my own experiences. I needed physical therapy to correct my curved spine and strengthen my back muscles to help me continue gymnastics as a kid. This experience transformed my life and solidified my reason for physical therapy as a career. I want to be able to inform people that the ability to move freely not only affects our physical health, but also plays a crucial role in mental and emotional well-being. Whether it's recovering from an injury, managing a chronic condition, or regaining mobility after surgery, physical therapy empowers individuals to reclaim control over their bodies and lives. In a world where connection is digitized, it often feels disconnected when it comes to treatment. One aspect that particularly draws me to physical therapy is its holistic approach. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, physical therapists consider the entire individual—mind, body, and spirit. This perspective aligns with my belief in treating the root causes of issues. I aspire to contribute to the profession by promoting greater direct access and patient-centered care, where individuals are actively involved in their rehabilitation process, leading to more effective results. In this contribution, I’d love to instruct more preventive healthcare, something that physical therapy plays a significant role in. By identifying and addressing movement impairments early, this will help prevent the development of more severe conditions later on. My idea uses this proactivity in terms of emphasizing stretching and fundamental importance of flexibility in sports for all ages of athletes. I aim to foster a compassionate and empathetic environment. Beyond the technical skills and knowledge required, I’d love to maintain and even strengthen connections with patients and collaboration with other healthcare professionals. Understanding their unique needs, fears, and aspirations is crucial for developing personalized treatment plans. I envision creating a space where patients feel heard, supported, and empowered throughout their rehabilitation journey. On top of that, I want to ensure the key element of collaborating with patients’ outside healthcare professionals to always keep the patient a top priority. In an ever-evolving healthcare landscape, I recognize the importance of staying informed and adaptable. From my time on listening to podcasts and reading journal articles, a quote from Charles Darwin always seems to emerge. “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, and not the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” I aspire to stay abreast of the latest research, technological advancements, and innovative treatment modalities. I understand that adaptability is important in this profession, whether it’s recognizing, treating different patients, even owning a business. By integrating evidence-based practices into my work, I hope to provide the highest quality of care and contribute to the advancement of the field. Physical therapy holds a special place in my heart due to its transformative nature and the potential it has to positively impact individuals' lives. My contribution to the profession involves embracing a holistic, patient-centered approach, emphasizing prevention, fostering compassionate care, keeping up with advancements, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals. Through these efforts, I aim to play a meaningful role in enhancing the well-being of those in need and contributing to the continued growth and excellence of the field of physical therapy.

My dream version of my future self would be someone who my younger self would’ve admired, not been afraid to speak truthfully to, and proud that I let go of societal conformity and created a path for my own.

I wasn't too sure what I wanted to do as a career. I never had that single path that I wanted to pursue and follow through with. At least that's what it felt like towards the beginning. My interests came from a multi-faceted set of principles and lifestyles. I was the student-athlete, the band nerd, the reader, the hiker, and the woodworking, novice mechanic who occasionally worked on his car. I felt like I had many paths to choose from, but no real decision that I could stick with and be happy with. I was indecisive and scared to make the wrong choice. I spoke to my parents about what career I should choose and where I should go after high school. We came up with a game plan for two careers, architecture and somewhere in the medical field. I still couldn't pick between the two until my dad gave me a quote that I'll never forget. He said, "It doesn't matter what career you choose, all that matters is to make sure you have a backdoor, just in case everything falls through. But for what it's worth, you would make a fantastic physical therapist." He had told me I had the temperament and altruism to help those who could not guide themselves. To help mitigate the pain and heal with internal motivation. Like any person listening to that, I decided to follow through with my plan and decide to go into architecture. As you can tell from my profile information, architecture didn't work out. I wasn't at a complete loss though. As I was taking courses in architecture, I had taken courses in biology and anatomy congruently just in case the plan fell through. The only issue is that my dad will never get to know that I used the backdoor escape method and pursued a career in physical therapy. He had passed away two months before I started college. The father that taught me the strength exposed resides from within. A father that was the quintessential embodiment of integrity. He taught me to stand up for my rights and look oppression in the eyes, to overcome and endure. That pain was essential for wisdom and guidance. Where actions done were of greater importance than words said. I often ask myself where could my father have gone? Though I quickly dismiss the thought now because I know exactly where he is. He’s in a better place. I will always remember the knowledge he passed down to me. Never will I forget the eyes that spoke of love and pride every time they stared at me. As I move forward in my career, I always try to do my best, this way I can honor my dad. When I make it as a physical therapist and help as many people as I can, I hope he knows that he had helped me find my career. His envisionment of me as a physical therapist all those years ago is what drives me to continue to pursue it. With each person I encounter when I do become one, I'll always remember my dad as he had said my low temperament and altruistic characteristics will help those who could not guide themselves and help mitigate the pain and heal with internal motivation.