When I was seven, my world revolved around two things: my pink teddy bear and gymnastics. Teddy was my brave little sidekick, keeping the monsters under the bed in check, while gymnastics let me channel my inner superhero. After a year of relentless begging, my parents finally signed me up. I was hooked. Gymnastics made me feel unstoppable and let me defy gravity (Hello Wicked) until I literally outgrew the sport. Tall girls and uneven bars don’t exactly mix.
Enter track and basketball. Track (hurdles, high jump, sprints) was all about me versus the clock and fueled by my gymnastics agility, while basketball taught me the beauty of teamwork, strategy, and thinking on my feet. Sports weren’t just fun; they were my crash course in grit, adaptability, and skills that stuck with me long after the buzzer.
Fast forward to college: I was recruited to play basketball, but was burned out, so I declined. I got to campus, felt like a lost puppy, and realized I missed competing. So, I walked onto the track team … sort of. I missed the first practice (wrong field) and let my embarrassment sideline me. A missed opportunity? Definitely.
The universe wasn’t done with me yet. Basketball gym? I found that with no problem. I walked on, made the team, and earned a scholarship a year later. Basketball taught me more than just how to box out; it schooled me in leadership, resilience, time management, and how to navigate life when the playbook gets tossed out the window.
Was basketball my true love? Parts of it. (Hello scholarship, free travel, and SWAG!) And it gave me tools I still use today. It even led to my first corporate job. Every misstep, missed practice, and mismatched path taught me one thing: life’s twists and turns are where the magic happens.
Life is about choices, paths, and owning the journey. Every detour, every awkward pivot, has shaped who I am today. So, what’s your next move? If you’re at a crossroads, let’s team up and find your winning strategy.
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