Being a high achiever is both a blessing and a curse. We often believe there are no limits to what we can accomplish, even when life challenges that belief.

This season of my life tested my capacity in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. Somewhere between becoming a mother, navigating unexpected challenges, and pursuing my ambitions, I learned a few things about preparation, perseverance, and trusting my own judgment.

And yes, I’m celebrating this one.

And when athletes have to advocate their way through a gate, what do they carry with them once they are on the other side?

Perhaps a heightened awareness of who has power. A need to keep proving they belong. A sharper sense of how quickly opportunity can depend on someone else’s perception of their value.

There may be value in situating a mental health professional within the Athletics & Recreation clinical team, alongside the professionals already supporting student-athlete health, while maintaining a meaningful connection to the university’s broader mental health infrastructure.