What have you been up to since graduating from Monmouth?
The first endeavor I pursued post-graduation from Monmouth, was the opportunity to teach Middle School science and earn a Master's degree in Science Education, through the New York City Teaching Fellows Program. After two years of teaching, completing the fellowship program and finishing a degree, I decided to look elsewhere for a career. It was at this time that I discovered Chiropractic. Once I learned about the body's ability to allow the innate wisdom that runs the human body to be expressed more fully, improving every aspect of one's life, I knew I had found my calling. Today, I am in my 11th of 13 quarters at Life Chiropractic College West in California. While in school, I have been blessed with opportunities to travel to foreign countries, where people do not have access to Chiropractic care. Recently, I returned from India, where I had the privilege to serve alongside Chiropractors from all over the world. In three and a half days, we provided Chiropractic care to over 12,000 individuals. The experience was nothing short of humbling and inspiring. This upcoming September, I will finish school and earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. My plan is to open a pediatric and family Chiropractic office, that will afford me the opportunity to empower families and communities to live life to their fullest, innate potential.
What is your fondest memory at Monmouth?
If I have to narrow it down to one memory, it would be winning the Northeast Conference Championship as a senior. I remember being on the bus ride home after beating Central Connecticut State University in overtime, and saying, “I could die right now and be happy.” Till this day, I can vividly picture the winning play in my head, and the celebrations that took place right afterwards. There is nothing like the feeling of winning a Championship game, for which you have spent countless hours, tirelessly, preparing. All of sudden, you realize that the grueling weeks of preseason, every fitness test, every early morning practice, all the extra sprints and laps coach made you run, the video sessions, the team bonding experiences, and every weekend spent dedicated to this sport that you love, was all worth it, for this once in a lifetime feeling.
If you could travel anywhere in the world next week where would you go and why?
My plan upon graduation is to backpack through Europe. There are so many countries that have been on my bucket list for far too long. I want to see and experience all that this world has to offer. I love learning about other cultures and seeing how other people get to experience this beautiful world. Besides Europe, South Africa has been at the top of my list. I feel drawn to the beautiful, blissful scenery that I've only seen through pictures and heard through other people's experiences. I want to see it, smell it, taste it, and experience it all for myself.
If you could master one skill right now that you don't have, what would it be?
Time travel. I have a lot of lessons that I'd like to share with my former self. However, I know that every lesson serves a purpose. I did my best with what I knew then. Now that I know better, I do better. Life is an ongoing learning process and we only get to experience one moment at a time.
If you could give advice to a current Monmouth player, what would it be?
You don't have to be the best player out there, you just have to be the best player that YOU can be. The only player you should strive to be better than is the player you were yesterday. In general, that's a pretty good rule to live by. Know that all of the challenges and triumphs of being an athlete are a blessing. They are there to push you to your limits, to teach you appreciation, and to encourage you to grow into the best version of yourself. Approach each moment with humility and an open mind. A mentor of mine once told me that, nothing is a failure unless you choose not to learn from it. Turn your perceived failures into lessons. There is always, always something to learn from in every situation. Oh, and keep kicking butt so we can keep showing everyone how awesome it is to be a Hawk!
How did your time at Monmouth prepare you for life after graduation?
Being a student athlete is no easy feat. It requires a ton of discipline, dedication and hard work. It challenges you mentally, physically and emotionally. I always tell people that as a college athlete, I didn't have the typical college experience, but I wouldn't have had it any other way. Having coaches and teammates relying on me, day in and day out, to work as hard as I can and be the best I can, while earning a college degree, forced me to learn habits that I'm not sure I would've learned elsewhere. Overall, my experience at Monmouth laid a strong foundation of life skills for me to utilize and to continue to build upon. I left Monmouth knowing, that with enough discipline and hard work, anything is possible.
Between your former teammates and coaches, who has had the most impact on your life?
Coach Turner, for sure. First and foremost, she meant business! She was not there to fool around. She was the perfect example of what it meant to be a coach. She showed up every day with the intention to turn us into a better team than we were the day before. She pushed me further than I ever thought I could go, and she never accepted anything less than my best. She did a great job of building team camaraderie, which is perhaps the most valuable aspect of any team that is working together to accomplish a goal. Thanks Coach!
