I had two brain surgeries as a kid.
If you would have told me that I'd eventually become a Division 1 athlete, I wouldn't have believed you.
Though my medical hardships were a defining moment in my life, I've never let them define who I am as a person.
Despite these challenges, I’ve come out on the other side.
Stronger.
And I wouldn’t be who I am today without those defining moments.
They’ve shaped me into the person and runner I am today, and I’m beyond grateful for that.
Unshakeable Faith
Everyone understands the physical impact of a surgery.
But surgeries come with mental health challenges, too.
I knew I was different from other kids.
And I had to trust myself and my sport to get me through it.
Running allowed me to believe that just because I was different, it didn’t mean I was any less of a person or athlete.
I knew I was just as strong and just as capable.
All those challenges changed my faith, too.
I’m not sure I’d be as strong in my faith today if it wasn't for those hardships.
Attending a Christian school at Campbell University has given me the opportunity to grow closer to God more than ever before, and I’m so grateful for that.
I’ve learned a lot about my faith through classes, meeting other students, and even starting up a ministry group called the Wesley Foundation.
We meet every week and share testimony, prayer, and have speakers come in to teach us the Word.
Getting to know my faith in college has been such a vital part of my life, and it’s going to change the course of my life forever.
It’s helped my running, improved my mental health, and really given me the foundation and strength to endure anything I face.
Embracing the Underdog Role
When I got to Campbell, I entered college as someone who had slower times than anyone else.
All I could do was embrace the underdog role.
I worked relentlessly to close that gap between me and my teammates to compete at the highest level.
But the progress I made wasn’t just physical.
It was about mental toughness, mental health, discipline, and really just trusting my coach, trusting the program, and trusting the process.
What seemed impossible in high school became a reality in college, and I want others to know that growth is always possible.
My mile time in high school was 5:37, and a few weeks ago, I just ran a 4:52 to get third place at the CAA Indoor Conference Championships.
If you would have told me that in high school, I would have never believed you.
I'm still trying to grasp what I've accomplished.
My long-term goal that I told my coach was to just break the 5-minute barrier.
Having shattered that goal and earning a medal at conference is an incredible blessing.
I’m just looking forward to really holding on to that momentum since I’m only a sophomore.
My goal is to break Campbell school records and work hard to lower my times as much as possible and, hopefully, continue running after my collegiate career.
Finding a Home
Campbell was the first school that reached out to me back in the day.
I took my first visit with Coach Darm, and I knew it was going to be my home immediately.
Having to make the decision ultimately wasn’t easy, but I knew that Campbell would give me the best opportunity to improve and compete at the highest level.
Like I said earlier, I wasn’t a standout runner in high school, but I knew I had more to give and could push myself to improve.
My story is proof that the biggest breakthroughs happen in the craziest ways, and what can happen when you truly take a chance on yourself.
Next Steps
I am so proud of the athlete and person I am becoming.
And I owe it to my faith and running.
They’ve gotten me through some of the most challenging moments of my life, and I don’t know where I’d be without them.
While I still have quite some time left as a student-athlete, I definitely have some professional goals I'm going after, too.
I'd love to get into nursing school here at Campbell and graduate with my nursing degree.
Passing the NCLEX would be next — to become a registered nurse.
I would then like to go back to school, and hopefully become a nurse anesthetist.
That is my goal right now, and I hope to continue running for as long as possible as well.
I know it's going to be hard, but I love running, and I love helping others, so pursuing the two most important things in my life is what I hope I can continue after college.
I want to be an inspiration to others and show them that growth is always possible.
You just have to trust in God and yourself, and never stop working hard.
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📷 Emily Pierce and Campbell Athletics
