Wrestling against adversity has always been a part of my life. I didn’t actually start wrestling until high school, but when I did, I instantly fell in love with it. Wrestling gave me a purpose and helped me transform not only my body, but also my mind and spirit.
One of my biggest accomplishments has been losing over 75 pounds. I used to weigh a little over 200pounds, and through dedication, discipline, and wrestling, I’m now much lower and have been 122lbs pounds. But wrestling has given me so much more than just a physical transformation.
I’m also proud to be the first person in my family to attend college. At first, college wasn’t even something I wanted to pursue. Wrestling opened a door for me to do something better with my life instead of just getting a job after high school. It pushed me to work harder, get better grades, and become a better person both on and off the mat.
Today, I’m proud to be a member of the Indiana Tech Wrestling Team. But right now, I’m facing another challenge. I have a goal of raising $5,000 to help with housing expenses this semester.
This year has been especially difficult for my family. It’s me, my mom, my niece, and my nephew living at home, and we’ve been dealing with a lot financially. In April, my brother passed away, and losing him has brought a lot of heartache and made an already difficult year even harder. Despite everything, I’m still trying to keep pushing forward and make something of myself.
Giving back is also very important to me. I coach youth wrestling at LC and Wright Way, helping younger wrestlers learn the sport that changed my life. Being able to give back and help the next generation is something I’m truly grateful for.
I’ve learned through wrestling that adversity doesn’t mean you quit. It means you keep fighting, even when things get hard.
If you’re able to donate, any amount would mean more to me and my family than I can put into words. If you can’t donate, simply sharing this means a lot too.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me, believed in me, and helped me get this far. I’m going to keep fighting on and off the mat. ❤️🩹🤼♂️
