One of the largest lessons I took away from my undergraduate at the United States Coast Guard Academy is "Being a selfless leader is not putting others needs above your own, but prioritizing your health and well-being so that you have the strength to take care of others." This was quite a tough concept to grasp, dismantling what we are all taught as children of the golden rule and put others before yourself. During my time at the academy, I always put others needs and wants before my own and it took multiple traumatic events to finally make me realize I cannot help others if I am not physically, mentally, or emotionally in a place to "fill up another's glass". At some points all of my glasses were empty, and I was still trying to pour into others. My freshman year, I was adamant on helping my roommate who was mentally and emotionally collapsing. I poured all my time and energy into making sure she was okay, then one night I return to our room destroyed and pill bottles everywhere. I knew I had to find her and fast, asking anyone and everyone to help. I found her in the attic of the barracks, she had attempted suicide. I still replay that entire day in my head, blaming myself for not having seen the warning signs, not having double locked my medications, and not having found her earlier. The months after that I struggled immensely with anxiety and depression and cut everyone out of my life "for their own good" because I did not want to "drain their glass", but in order to get off rock bottom I needed to accept help from the people closest to me. I was not draining them, they wanted to help me, because I was a friend and had picked them up. After 2 years, I came to the realization that no matter the amount of time, energy, or love I put into that friendship I could not have changed the outcome and I cannot isolate myself for the sake of others. My last 2 years of school and active duty, I was able to put into practice selfless leadership and was noticed by officers and chiefs in the active- duty Coast Guard as well as the academy. I became an advocate for physical and mental health on campus and helped over 15 people to seek out resources, attend counseling, advocate for their own health on and off-base, and practice self-care. I am beyond grateful that those people have carried on my legacy, and I am still a resource for others trying to find their way. I do not wish to take on any of the credit, but instead thank those who pulled me up when I could not help myself, I could not have made an impact without you. This past month I joined a Community Emergency Response Team, the first lesson in basic training was "You cannot help others unless you are okay, do not run yourself into the ground or else you will only add to the disaster, we are here to help the greatest amount of people, you cannot save everyone." This trumps the selflessness I learned growing up, and I look to make this non-self-sacrificial selflessness my path going forward.