I believe my inspiration and drive comes down to two main traits that I have. The most important trait that I tend to possess is the act of persevering. Throughout my high school years, I went to a predominately white private while being a man of color. Some people looked at that and thought it was a challenge to be an African American male surrounded by people who looked and treated me differently. However, I looked at it as an opportunity—an opportunity to not just adapt to the environment around me but grow from my peers. I never saw the adversity I faced as a problem but always as a way to get better. Those moments made me who I am today to become a leader for others like me to look up to. In my senior year of high school, the administration asked if I could become friends with a 4th grader at the time who was in the same predicament as I was in being an African American male who was surrounded by people who were not of his color. It allowed me to see another perspective of someone in my shoes which inspired me to show him what he can become or even be greater. I loved being able to be a difference maker or doing something out of the ordinary. My inspiration allowed me to handle adversity which is thrown at physical therapists (PT's) daily. After interning for an outpatient PT clinic, it allowed me to see this situation firsthand. Seeing how the PTs came up with new exercises and ideas to help treat an upcoming problem blew my mind. Using this mindset, looking at it as an opportunity to learn and find new ways to try out things will allow me to not only expand my knowledge but help me become a more successful PT. My grandmother played an important role in my mindset when it comes to other people. She always told me, “Always keep a smile with strangers. You never know what people are going through”. I kept this quote said by her dear to my heart because, in reality, it is the truth. Regardless of their background, race, or gender, everyone should be treated the same. Making sure that you give off a kind smile will allow them to know that they can be themselves around you. With kindness comes trust and I think that can be important to connect with clients coming in with an injury. I had to go through physical therapy at 13 years old for a partially torn quad. I was disappointed and filled with sorrow since I had to skip out on activities and the pain that came along with my injury. My physical therapist, Dr. Phillip at STAR Physical Therapy in Clarksville, TN, made me realize that I need to come with a different perspective on an injury with a positive mindset. In doing so, it allowed me to not only get better through rehabilitation but to become more independent as an individual myself. I keep this same mindset with me currently when it comes to the profession. You never know what people could be dealing with in their personal lives so making them feel that they are not alone and that they can push to get better is essential. I believe this is the main reason why I love the profession of physical therapy. Building those relationships with people and being there for them is not just a goal of mine, but it is a lifelong dream.