Recovery to me is being at peace with yourself and being able to say no to whatever temptations come your way. One addiction that is often overlooked and affects our communities daily opioid addiction. I have seen first hand how this form of addiction can tear apart a family and bring them back together. A close family friend of mine struggled with addiction for years. There when he ran away from home and his family did not know if he was going to be found dead or alive. After about 10 years of attending different rehab centers he became clean for what seems like for good. I would say that he is fully recovered because he is at peace with his life and is focused on his kids and going back to school. He lets the temptation of being a good father override the temptation of drugs.

As the son of a physical education teacher, I have always looked up to my dad’s devotion to health and wellness. Since I was young, we would spend countless hours throwing footballs and baseballs until our legs were too tired to keep moving. He wanted me and my brothers to learn how to live an energetic lifestyle, just as he did growing up as an athlete. Unfortunately, however, he did not always remain healthy. In the matter of just a few years, my dad went from being a star collegiate football player to gaining over 150 pounds, and eventually developed cancer. I watched him lay around the house, lifeless and helpless. He struggled to walk, struggled to breathe properly, and missed several of my sports events due to his immobility. My dad became hardly recognizable, and it was painful to see his rapid deterioration. I was determined to help my dad return to his old, healthy self, and therefore began conducting research to design a wellness plan for him. I discovered Dr. Joel Furhman, a plant-based nutritionist who designed diet plans to help terminal illness. Within a year of disciplined dieting and transforming his lifestyle, my dad lost over 100 pounds and entered remission from his cancer. I finally had my dad back, and knew that I wanted to pursue a path that would help other people lead healthy, active lives.

As the son of a physical education teacher, I have always looked up to my dad’s devotion to health and wellness. Since I was young, we would spend countless hours throwing footballs and baseballs until our legs were too tired to keep moving. He wanted me and my brothers to learn how to live an energetic lifestyle, just as he did growing up as an athlete. Unfortunately, however, he did not always remain healthy. In the matter of just a few years, my dad went from being a star collegiate football player to gaining over 150 pounds, and eventually developed cancer. I watched him lay around the house, lifeless and helpless. He struggled to walk, struggled to breathe properly, and missed several of my sports events due to his immobility. My dad became hardly recognizable, and it was painful to see his rapid deterioration. I was determined to help my dad return to his old, healthy self, and therefore began conducting research to design a wellness plan for him. I discovered Dr. Joel Furhman, a plant-based nutritionist who designed diet plans to help terminal illness. Within a year of disciplined dieting and transforming his lifestyle, my dad lost over 100 pounds and entered remission from his cancer. I finally had my dad back, and knew that I wanted to pursue a path that would help other people lead healthy, active lives. Upon applying to college, I decided to enroll in a Health and Physical Education program, where I would become better equipped at advising young people to engage in behaviors and activities beneficial to their health. I plan on using the tools I learn in college to help students live the healthiest lives that they possibly can.

As the son of a physical education teacher, I have always looked up to my dad’s devotion to health and wellness. Since I was young, we would spend countless hours throwing footballs and baseballs until our legs were too tired to keep moving. He wanted me and my brothers to learn how to live an energetic lifestyle, just as he did growing up as an athlete. Unfortunately, however, he did not always remain healthy. In the matter of just a few years, my dad went from being a star collegiate football player to gaining over 150 pounds, and eventually developed cancer. I watched him lay around the house, lifeless and helpless. He struggled to walk, struggled to breathe properly, and missed several of my sports events due to his immobility. My dad became hardly recognizable, and it was painful to see his rapid deterioration. I was determined to help my dad return to his old, healthy self, and therefore began conducting research to design a wellness plan for him. I discovered Dr. Joel Furhman, a plant-based nutritionist who designed diet plans to help terminal illness. Within a year of disciplined dieting and transforming his lifestyle, my dad lost over 100 pounds and entered remission from his cancer. I finally had my dad back, and knew that I wanted to pursue a path that would help other people lead healthy, active lives. Upon applying to college, I decided to enroll in a Health and Physical Education program, where I would become better equipped at advising young people to engage in behaviors and activities beneficial to their health. During my freshman year, I also rekindled my love for throwing javelin, which fostered in high school but had to be put on hold due to a sudden injury. I slowly recovered, and began throwing javelin in individual meets, unaffiliated with my prior University. I began posting my videos to Instagram and I was quickly discovered by coaches. I plan on throwing next season but the school that I want to attend and throw for is very expensive. Scholarship money would help me to live out my dream of being a collegiate athlete.

When I was younger my dad would take me to many flea markets and pawn shops. I make sure to read as many comic books as I could while at the store. While reading these comics I noticed the trend that most of the characters were white. Although this was the case one particular character that stood out to me was the Black Panther. He was the only black superhero in the store and his stories taught me about the African culture and strength of the African people. This was inspiring to see a superhero that is from African descent just like myself. In 2018 the Black Panther movie came out and I made sure I was one of the first to see it. Many of the scenes painted black people as strong and driven characters this motivated me to be just like them.

As the son of a physical education teacher, I have always looked up to my dad’s devotion to health and wellness. Since I was young, we would spend countless hours throwing footballs and baseballs until our legs were too tired to keep moving. He wanted me and my brothers to learn how to live an energetic lifestyle, just as he did growing up as an athlete. Unfortunately, however, he did not always remain healthy. In the matter of just a few years, my dad went from being a star collegiate football player to gaining over 150 pounds, and eventually developed cancer. I watched him lay around the house, lifeless and helpless. He struggled to walk, struggled to breathe properly, and missed several of my sports events due to his immobility. My dad became hardly recognizable, and it was painful to see his rapid deterioration. I was determined to help my dad return to his old, healthy self, and therefore began conducting research to design a wellness plan for him. I discovered Dr. Joel Furhman, a plant-based nutritionist who designed diet plans to help terminal illness. Within a year of disciplined dieting and transforming his lifestyle, my dad lost over 100 pounds and entered remission from his cancer. I finally had my dad back, and knew that I wanted to pursue a path that would help other people lead healthy, active lives. Upon applying to college, I decided to enroll in an exercise science program, where I would become better equipped at advising young people to engage in behaviors and activities beneficial to their health. I myself suffered multiple injuries such as ankle breaks, ligament tears and finger breaks. Each time I suffered an injury I went to physical therapy and they guided me through my recovery journey. I want to do just as they did and help guide others through their journey. In 5 years I see myself applying the knowledge that I learn in college to help people that are trying to recover. I also see myself opening my own practice so that I can be make sure that my employees treat patients just as kindly as I do.