For most of my life, I was a musician. I played the violin in elementary school. When I transitioned to middle school, I played the French horn through my first two high school years.

Though I was a good musician and enjoyed playing, I began to feel something was missing from my life: music was not all there was for me. I remember the 2019 College Football National Championship game as the day everything changed for me. I wanted to play football.

Over six months, I transformed myself from a musician with a nerdy demeanor to an athlete who made it onto the varsity roster in his first and only year of playing. Through early mornings and late nights, I pushed myself to be able to step onto the field confidently. With footwork drills, intense cardio, and hours of weight lifting, I dedicated myself to achieving my new dream, and it simply did not matter.

On the team, I was largely ignored by the offensive line coaching staff. Pushed to the side with my pride in shambles, I had nowhere to turn. I felt like a failure and was ashamed of myself, but then I met my AP History teacher: Wesley Sweat.

He convinced me to attend the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class that he taught. In stark contrast to the football environment, I was accepted immediately and treated like family. I fell in love with the sport, and through BJJ, I got involved in Mixed Martial Arts. I am now training to step into the Octagon one day soon.

It turned out that all the work I put into changing myself was not all for nothing. I did not fail; instead, the efforts put into football translated into martial arts. My perseverance and work ethic helped transform me into the man I am today.