I received my high school diploma from the Vail Ski and Snowboard Academy in the spring of 2019. It's exactly what it sounds like: an academy made for current or aspiring professional snowsport athletes. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life; it taught me not only that it is necessary to stay active and healthy, but how to do so safely. Now that I've retired from being a full-time athlete and am pursuing several coaching certifications, being fit and healthy tends to be a little bit harder. I've noticed aches and pains that hadn't existed a few years ago, accelerated by bad falls, surgeries, and muscle memories that were great for competing, but not so great for my long-term muscular health. In the last year, I've had to switch my mindset from 'training for performance' to 'maintaining my muscular health for the rest of my life'. Although I wouldn't trade my years as a professional athlete for anything, the time since has been a difficult transition. While competing, the adrenaline was part of the reason I was able to get up in the morning and persevere through the pre-dawn practices, the snowstorms, and the freezing racing attire. Since then, I've had to take up less exciting activities, such as martial arts and swimming, in order to keep my cardiovascular health up. When I'm working out consistently, I notice my exercise-induced asthma becomes less bothersome, I feel better about my body, and I'm able to focus on other things in my life with less stress and anxiety. The strength I can achieve in my body helps me achieve the inner strength I need to tackle my work, personal life, and educational goals.