My life has been consumed by sports. Soccer, basketball and lacrosse dictated a significant portion of my life from ages five to 18. But, when I came to John Carroll, the hustle and bustle came to a screeching halt.

Years of competitive sports made me realize my passion for competition, excitement and adrenaline. In a game setting, I was able to tune out other stimuli and direct my full attention to the game at hand. But, when I decided it was time to end my career as an athlete, I became extremely lost. It wasn’t the glory of a win or the celebration of a game-winning basket that I missed, it was simply a longing for a competitive atmosphere.

So, when I packed up my things to move to John Carroll, I left the cleats and basketball sneakers behind. I focused on figuring out other aspects of life that could align with my future goals: school, getting involved on campus and meeting new people.

I tried lifting for a while. In fact, I would say I still use the gym to lift a few times a week, but it just doesn’t give me the competitive satisfaction that I am looking for. At first, I was into progress, looking to build muscle. But, later on, I was searching for ways to sweat, longing for moments of boosted endorphins after exerting energy. For me, this is through exercise that is cardiovascular based.

As a result, in the spring of 2022, I looked up organized races that I could plan on setting a goal for. I wasn’t a huge fan of strict running so anything similar to an 8k or half marathon wasn’t appealing. I knew I enjoyed biking, though, but a long bike race seemed boring and basic. I narrowed down my options to something that would involve both running and biking but in short distances. Easy enough, right?

But then the same race involved swimming. Again, a short stint of under-water exercise, but still, something different than what I was used to. Nonetheless, I signed up for my first triathlon in February of 2022 and the training ensued.

The race was in June of 2022, but I needed ample time to prepare for this event, just because it was something completely foreign to me. I trained on a strict regimen by swimming in John Carroll’s pool, using the spin bike in Corbo and using a combination of treadmill and road running to familiarize myself with some longer distances.

Soon enough, the semester ended and the race was rapidly approaching. I was excited, nervous and full of adrenaline, which was the exact feeling I was craving for an extended period of time.

When it was time to enter the water, I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I think it was a combination of nerves and excitement, but more so the acceptance that my competitive fix took a completely different form this time around.

I finished the race, not worried about what my final time was, more so satisfied with my ability to challenge myself in the face of uncertainty. I was my own person. I had the opportunity to be competitive against myself. I learned to develop even more passion, more fire and self-confidence.

Since that first race, I’ve done four additional triathlons. During each one, I feel humble. I feel powerful and I feel incredible amounts of strength. I know that my finish is dictated only by my own control. Pushing myself in these moments has shown me that potential is uncapped with a growth mindset. I’ve realized that uncovering new pathways in life is always a result of a little doubt at the beginning.

If you’re asking yourself if you can do something, the answer is yes. Our mind is the most powerful tool that we own. What flows in your mind is what grows in front of you.