Vicool Patel

• Be cool, Vicool: Expecting twins, my mom was traumatized when only I emerged. “Be cool, be cool,” my dad repeated as he tried to calm her. That’s how I got my name, and it’s how I deal with stressful situations.

• Limitless: I weighed 240 pounds at my heaviest. (Yes, my family and friends playfully teased me about eating my twin.) Through self-determination, I lost 75 pounds and completed two Olympic Triathlons (2012, 2016) and a few half marathons (2013, 2015, 2016). In the summer of 2014, I completed a 500-mile walk across northern Spain. I am always looking to continue challenging myself both physically and spiritually.

• Coexist: I was raised Hindu and Catholic by traditional Indian and Filipino parents. Exposure to the coexistence of different realms of religion and cultures has left me continuously challenging the status quo.

• G-A-Y: I accepted the fact that I was gay in high school, but did not tell anyone until sophomore year of college. The first time I came out, it took me over four hours to mumble the word aloud. Now, I work actively to give a voice to the LGBT people of color community within the global corporate landscape.

• Reality TV Star?: Passionate about experiencing different cultures, my best friend and I recently auditioned for the Amazing Race reality television show. We spent the allotted minute convincing the camera that the main reason we were such close friends was because of our stark differences. I am still waiting for a call back.