Why Every Young Professional Should Compete—on the Field, the Board, or in Everyday Life
Competition Isn’t the Enemy—It’s the Training Ground There was a time when I thought competition was only for athletes. As a hurdler and basketball player growing up, my version of “competition” meant pushing to beat a time, win a game, or earn a spot on the starting lineup. Later, chess became another arena where I […]
Staying Grounded in a High-Performance World: My Approach to Focus and Fulfillment
The Pressure to Always Be “On” We live in a world that moves fast. Deadlines, metrics, expectations—it can feel like everything needs to happen now. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone chasing a personal goal, the pressure to always be producing, achieving, or improving can be overwhelming. I’ve definitely felt it. Coming from […]
Jumping Hurdles On and Off the Track: The Athletic Mindset Behind Career Resilience
Where It All Started Before I ever sat in a college lecture hall or opened a textbook, I was on a track—eyes forward, knees up, lungs burning, and hurdles stretching ahead. Track and field was one of my first loves, and hurdling in particular became a defining part of my high school experience. It wasn’t […]
Balancing Brains and Brawn: Why a Dual Focus on Athletics and Academics Is a Winning Strategy
Growing Up in Two Worlds When I think about my childhood in Fremont, California, it’s hard to separate the sound of sneakers on the court from the smell of old chess books. My days were often split between track practice, basketball games, and late-night problem sets—or running chess puzzles on my phone until my eyes […]