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.

Tôi được truyền cảm hứng để vượt qua giới hạn bản thân và khám phá những gì mình có thể làm được. Tôi bị thôi thúc bởi sự tò mò muốn khám phá thế giới, và tôi thực sự thích được tìm hiểu những vùng đất xa xôi hẻo lánh thông qua trải nghiệm đắm chìm mà leo núi mang lại. Tôi thực sự muốn thử thách bản thân cả về thể chất lẫn tinh thần, bởi vì cảm giác khi đạt được mục tiêu mà mình đã luyện tập hướng tới thật sự kỳ diệu — đó là cảm giác thỏa mãn hoàn toàn với chính bản thân mình.

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.