Movement has always been the easiest way for me to understand myself.

I have spent most of my life constantly moving. Whether that is training for marathons, playing sports or going to the gym. I felt that when my body was moving it gave my mind a chance to stop and relax. This need to always be on the move introduced me to the less exciting side of being an athlete: injuries. Over time, the small injuries added up and eventually led me to three surgeries. For someone who feels most like themselves when they are moving, being forced to stop was frustrating and scary.

Recovery gave me a lot of time to think and reflect. Rehab was slow, repetitive and required more patience than I ever expected I was capable of. But it also helped me develop new skills of resilience and determination, as well as sparking a new interest in my life. I started paying attention to how my body worked, why certain movements hurt, and how the right treatment made such a significant difference. Working closely with my orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists, I realized they were not just fixing injuries, but they were helping people get pieces of their happiness and lives back, which is exactly what they did for me.

Coming back from each surgery made me appreciate movement in a new way. Running, walking and playing sports no longer felt given or automatic, it felt like something I had to earn. A privilege that could only be kept by taking care of my body and not always necessarily being on the move. These experiences have shaped my interest in orthopedic surgery because I want to help athletes through the same process I went through. I want to be the person who reminds them that set backs only make us stronger and that life isn't a sprint but a marathon. And it is okay to walk or take a break every once in a while.