I started climbing after my brother’s birthday party in 1998 at a local climbing gym in the DC Area, where I grew up. I joined the local junior team program, and then, about a year later, when I was 7, I walked in to the gym and they were hosting a Junior Regional Championship. That was how I found out that it was a sport practiced at a competitive level. I registered to compete that day, and it was my first ever competition. I entered the 11 and under category and won my division.

Saya terinspirasi untuk mendorong potensi diri dan mengetahui sejauh mana kemampuan saya. Saya didorong oleh rasa ingin tahu ini untuk menjelajah, dan saya benar-benar menikmati mengenal sudut-sudut terpencil dunia melalui pengalaman mendalam yang diciptakan oleh panjat tebing. Saya ingin mendorong diri sendiri secara fisik dan mental, karena perasaan ketika saya berhasil mencapai tujuan yang sedang saya latih adalah sensasi ajaib berupa kepuasan pribadi yang utuh.

Nutrition and fitness are pillars to my overall well being. I function best when I am the most healthy, and I feel the best - mentally and physically, when I focus on my holistic wellness.

Climbing has taught me that unless I try, I will never know. In putting yourself on the line, challenging yourself beyond your comfort zone, that is where growth happens.

Listen to your heart and commit yourself to what you feel most passionately about. There’s no one size fits all. Focus on being the best version of yourself, not in sizing up to others. We are all on different paths and want different things out of life; so be kind, be focused, and be you.

Just give it a try. Push yourself and be kind to yourself through the struggle. Sustainable success only happens when you are enjoying what you’re doing.