Compulsive Tryer
As an experienced ultramarathon runner, I am no stranger to resilience. For starters, it is more than just the ability to endure challenges—it is the capacity to adapt, to grow, and to transform adversity into opportunity. I came to understand this in a deeply personal way starting last year. After being in a committed—albeit unhealthy—relationship for ten years, I found myself navigating a painful separation. This struggle would come to touch on every arena of my life, including the kids, the house, my fitness goals, my career, my ability to help my clients, and more. The life I had built and envisioned suddenly shifted, leaving me in unfamiliar territory. Amidst that hardship, I am choosing to reinvent myself and pursue a new lifelong dream that is also a kind of “Hail Mary” for my career path—building on my experiences as an ultra endurance athlete and dedicated personal trainer to become the best physical therapy assistant (PTA) I can be.
The divorce represented far more than the end of a relationship; it was the loss of stability, routine, and identity. For years, I defined so much of my life around others. Without that foundation, I was forced to confront some very uncomfortable questions about myself. In those lonely early months, coming home to an empty apartment each long night, the uncertainty felt overwhelming. I leaned on the very principles I had long taught my personal training clients—discipline, perseverance, and the power of setting modest, yet meaningful goals—and began applying them to my own rebuilding process. My first step had to be to reclaim my sense of purpose. Fitness has always been a passion of mine, not only because of the physical strength it builds but also because of the mental and emotional character it cultivates. As a trainer, I had spent years helping others overcome self-doubt and push beyond their limitations. Now, I could palpably feel my own strength fading under the weight of working three jobs to stay afloat. Time to take my own advice that I had given to dozens of poor souls before me: If you have no time, then you have to work smarter than ever. It may not be fair, but neither was the Alamo. You cannot give up just because something is unfair. I started setting small, attainable goals, sticking to a daily routine, and focusing on gratitude. Small victories gradually rebuilt my confidence and reminded me how progress feels, however slow and painful.
This period of reflection has only deepened my desire to make an impact. While personal training allows me to help clients grow stronger and fitter, which I love, I want to do more than improve fitness—I want to help people heal. I discovered I am drawn to working with individuals recovering from injuries, surgeries, or chronic pain—those who need support not only to move better, but to regain independence and quality of life. That realization became the spark that inspired me to pursue a career as a PTA. Of course, going back to school as an adult student presents its own unique challenges. Balancing coursework, finances, and personal growth will require resilience in all new forms. There will continue to be days when self-doubt tries its influence, the responsibilities feel a little too heavy, and the temptation to quit whispers a little louder than usual. But therein lies the lesson—resilience is not about avoiding struggle, it is about confronting it, learning from it, and continuing forward despite it. Looking back, I am grateful for the struggle I faced because it revealed a stronger, more determined version of myself. As I continue my education at Central Penn College, I bring with me resilience forged through trials and real experiences. I am not just pursuing a degree; I am reimagining a new life dedicated to lifting others up, helping them heal, and reestablishing setbacks as comebacks. The lessons I have learned through hardship have shaped me into someone who not only endures challenges but thrives amidst them. That is what I will be bringing to the classroom, the clinic or hospital one day, and every life I have the privilege to impact.
