You may only know a few seconds of my story.
One curve. One straightaway.
Maybe two if I’m racing a 400.
My sprints are a flash at meets, but I've faced many challenges on my journey as a runner.
I’ve battled injuries and struggled with my mental health.
I earned a spot at the school I’ve always talked about and then realized it wasn’t a good fit.
My experience as a student-athlete features challenges, doubts, and, most importantly, hope.
My story is one of strength and resilience, and I hope it encourages other student-athletes to advocate for stronger futures for themselves and their teammates.
Navigating the Transfer Portal
Many athletes don’t talk about the transfer portal.
It can destroy athletes’ self-confidence.
It certainly affected mine.
The entire experience put me on edge. I felt anxious I wouldn’t find a new community.
I battled terrible shin splints and injuries that I felt would prevent me from ever competing again.
I wasn’t sure if any coaches would want to take a chance on an athlete with ongoing health issues.
But, in the midst of the transfer portal tornado, I connected with Coach Cooper at South Carolina State University.
The new beginning calmed me.
Coach saw past my injuries. He trusted me, and he trusted my talent.
He told me, “We’re going to get you healthy and we're gonna get you running again.”
Coach introduced me to wearing custom shoe insoles.
It may seem like a simple solution, but even the smallest adjustment (and rehab) corrected my form.
Now, I’m literally taking stronger steps to improve my running career.
I felt overwhelmed by the transfer portal process, but, in the end, I found a new team who embraces me.
With their support, I strive to be better each day.
I will heal.
I will strengthen my stride.
I will race again.
Caring For My Mental Health
Navigating the transfer portal inspired my second goal; I want to de-stigmatize athletes talking about their mental health.
That starts with sharing my story.
I was not myself for the majority of my time at Georgia State.
I loved the girls on the team, but overall, it just wasn’t a good fit for me.
Looking back, I wish I had known how much my mental health could be affected by my environment.
It was a difficult and lonely time, and I knew I had to make a change.
I am grateful I spoke up.
I found a new home at South Carolina State.
I’m surrounded by people who believe in me and want to see me succeed, and that has made all the difference in the world.
By sharing my story, I hope people learn they deserve help at every stage. A team, coach, or program can be great but not good for you.
If you are not where you want to be in your athletic career or your life, that doesn't mean you can’t get there.
Everybody takes a different path and different journey.
Do not judge yourself or compare yourself to somebody who’s doing better in your eyes.
I learned that lesson the hard way, but I hope other athletes don’t have to.
Advocating for Change
As I continue my journey as a student-athlete, I want to be a voice for change.
Reaching my dreams and protecting my mental health aren’t mutually exclusive.
When I started to advocate for myself, I felt motivated to set new goals.
I want to help other athletes protect their well-being by becoming a sports psychologist.
My running career won’t last forever, but, by earning my PhD, I can continue to be a positive influence in the sports community.
I believe athletes deserve regular mental health check ins. I want to shatter the stigmas so other athletes don’t feel alone in their experiences.
We need to take care of our minds as much as we take care of our bodies.
Sports shaped my life, and I hope my experiences can inform and inspire future athletes.
