My name is Matias Munera Gonzalez, and I am a freshman at Boise State University studying Kinesiology in hopes of attaining a Master's degree in Athletic Training and then pursuing a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. I love meeting and socializing with anyone, and have a drive to be part of a greater purpose, especially if it means my work helps people. I moved to the US almost 9 years ago, from Mexico City, and I am originally Colombian. I love Boise and the opportunities this city has given me, especially my education. Ever since high school sports medicine class, I have had an interest in Athletic Training and Physical Therapy in the future as careers because of the close work with people and the positive impact I could potentially have as their healthcare professional. During high school, I was a sports medicine intern where I led a team of 6 other interns during alternating weeks, which included taping, assisting trainers, and rehabilitating minor injuries. We contributed to an undefeated and championship season, and this experience solidified my desire to pursue a career in those fields. What I was impressed by the most was the relationship and influence my High School AT and PT had with students. Their work included guiding them through heartbreaking injuries, rehabilitation, and returning them to good health. This process involved a vast amount of communication, empathy, patience, knowledge, and professionalism, skills I know I have and would aspire to use in my everyday tasks. I understand that the route to becoming a Physical Therapist requires long hours of studying, clinical and field work, and a lot of sacrifice, but I know that I get what I put into it. My goal is to work with either young athletes or in the US Navy as a Physical Therapy Officer. I know I enjoy working in a clinical and field setting based on my experience as a sports medicine intern, and I was inspired by Dr. Eric Yoon, PT, DPT, to pursue a career in physical therapy after he explained the occupation in-depth. Physical Therapy is the end goal for my education because PT checks the boxes of what I want to do throughout my life, while providing a more than adequate salary to provide for a family. Additionally, I feel a sense of purpose when my work directly affects anyone positively, and it motivates me to continue improving the health of others. I believe that I have the determination to excel in my studies, and I know that I can be a welcoming and knowledgeable presence for anyone seeking help with their injuries.

When I immigrated to the US in 2016, the only thing I knew about tennis was that my grandmother was obsessed with it. She would call me over to her room and say “Matias, we are in London today” and we would watch Roger Federer play in Wimbledon. Upon arriving in Idaho, I played soccer for 2 years where I grew dissatisfied with the sport. I felt that I was better than my team and believed they let me down so I quit. In light of these negative feelings towards team sports, my mom put me in tennis lessons during 7th grade where I grew to like the sport because I only had to rely on myself. However, during my freshman year, I lost 9 singles matches in a row and decided to play doubles. My partner, Brendan, was a beginner on the tennis team but was quite the natural. Throughout practice, I would help him with his form and we created a good bond between both of us and started winning regular season matches. We finished 3rd in JV districts and my love for the sport blossomed. However, anyone who’s played tennis knows that struggles always come back. My sophomore year I lost the last varsity spot to none other than Brendan in a challenge match. My grandma was the reason I didn’t quit since she was so happy I even played the sport. That year, I got lucky and I played for varsity quite a bit due to absences. The luck kept coming, and I played in the varsity district tournament because out of all people, Brendan couldn’t make it. Unfortunately, I lost in the first round. Time and time again, tennis reminded me of how much it takes to develop oneself, even to the point of breaking. So before Junior year season rolled around, I made sure to strengthen not only my game but my mind as well in order to finally rid myself of my past failures. My junior year we had a considerably weaker men’s team since a lot of our good played left so we weren’t expecting to win much. That season, I was also voted Captain, a role I could have never imagined 2 years before. I made it a goal for the team to feel supported and listened to, leading to many wins. The dreaded district tournament came around again, but this year my partner Shae and I were the number one seeds. We swept the brackets and won. For the first time, I was going to State and ironically, I was the leader of a team even though years before I resented one. The day before state, one of my friends had lost the final twice before and the men’s team was facing a tough draw. So I wrote and read a poem for the team to lift our spirits, something never done before. My first match was lost in a tiebreak and I thought the struggles had caught up to me again but we rallied in the consolation bracket finishing 5th. Victory came for the girl's team with a win in every section, and for the men’s was a second-place finish thanks to points racked up by me, Shae, and our singles player. For me, tennis taught me that in life you must love and support those around you just like a team while also becoming better than the person you were yesterday. Tennis taught me life can’t be played alone, and I must always improve, by being a better teammate, friend, leader, and grandson.