What do you want to be when you grow up?
It’s a question we’re asked constantly growing up—usually met with answers like a superhero, a princess, or a pro athlete.
It’s fun to think about, but I didn’t always have a clear answer. I just knew I loved sports, and I loved competing. I just didn’t know where it would take me.
I didn’t start track until my freshman year of high school. At first, I focused on sprints and relays.
It wasn’t until later—after trying out the long jump and high jump—that my coach introduced something I had never even heard of: the triple jump.
I remember thinking, what even is that?
So, as any curious athlete would do, I hopped on YouTube and started watching videos of Olympians, studying their technique, and trying to wrap my head around this event that felt completely foreign.
My first meet?
Terrible.
But I stuck with it. Meet by meet, I improved. Then came junior year—when everything changed. I won the state championship in the triple jump, and that’s when it hit me: I might actually be able to do this at the next level.
So, I started sending emails to as many schools as I could—just a short note with my name, event, personal record, and my hope for a shot.
Out of all those schools, only one replied: Ole Miss.
I visited the campus and immediately knew it was the right place for me. I fell in love with the people, the energy, and the potential. Sure, people talk about how small it is or say it’s just a party school, but for me, it has become a place where I truly found myself.
So much so that I’m still here—now a super senior finishing my MBA, thanks to the extra year of eligibility granted during COVID.
And honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing.
A Blessing in Disguise
COVID disrupted many things—but staying at Ole Miss longer turned out to be a blessing.
I’ve grown so much—not just as an athlete but as a young woman figuring out who I am and what I want in life.
For most of my undergrad, I was on track to go to dental school. Both of my parents are dentists, and they've always inspired me. But somewhere along the way, I realized that path just wasn’t mine.
I’m a people person. I love to talk, connect, and be in spaces where I can express myself fully. I couldn’t see myself spending 9 to 5 behind four walls, talking to someone who can’t talk back.
So I pivoted.
And that pivot brought me closer to who I really am.
Redefining My Role
College hasn’t always been easy.
There were times when I wasn’t hitting the marks I wanted, times when I struggled with not performing at my best. And it hurt because, as athletes, we often attach our worth to our results.
But in those moments, I learned something more valuable: how to be a good teammate.
Even when I wasn’t getting the outcome I hoped for, I showed up for my teammates, celebrated their wins, and learned how to be present for others. In return, they showed up for me.
That’s when I understood what it really means to be a Rebel.
This experience at Ole Miss taught me how to be resilient, lift others up, and lead—not just when things are going well but also when they’re not.
Grounded in Faith
None of this growth would’ve happened without my faith.
I’ve learned that I don’t have all the answers and never will. The only one who does is the Lord.
Because I believe that, I’ve learned to keep asking questions, to stay open, and to let God guide me, even when I don’t know what’s next.
And through that, I’ve found my purpose: to help others grow.
To encourage them to be themselves, to stop letting fear get in the way, and to just go for it. Whether that’s reaching out for a job, posting that video on Instagram, or starting a conversation that might change your path—you never know unless you ask.
And even if the answer is no, that just means it wasn’t meant to be. God has something better waiting.
My NIL Journey
NIL has been a game-changer for me.
It’s opened doors to meet people, try new things, and step out of my comfort zone. I've had the chance to work with some incredible companies—like Good Molecules and local wellness businesses—and each one has taught me something new about who I am and what I want to bring into the world.
Through NIL, I’ve learned how to prioritize myself, how to grow, and how to advocate not just for what I do but for who I am.
Because growth doesn’t happen when you’re comfortable. It happens when you put yourself out there, ask questions, and are willing to try something new—even if you’ve never done it before.
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📷 Kyla McLaurin and Ole Miss Athletics
