Aiden

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

What I love most about playing sports is the feeling of accomplishment I get every time I compete. Sports challenge me to push beyond my limits, grow more confident, and keep going even when things are difficult. Most importantly, competing gives me an opportunity to face my extreme anxiety without allowing it to control me. Every practice, game, and challenge I overcome reminds me that I am capable of more than I sometimes believe and that I can succeed even when anxiety is present.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

My mother inspires me most. She earned her law degree as a single parent and became only the second Active Duty African American female Military Trial Judge Air Force history. Her accomplishments taught me that hard work pays off, but watching her persevere through life's toughest moments taught me even more. She reminds me to never quit, on or off the field, because as she always tells me, "You're only done if you're dead."

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

There are many moments in my athletic journey that make me proud, but they all share one thing: my ability to compete despite my anxiety. When I was younger, anxiety often caused me to question myself and what I was capable of. Every time I step onto the field, mat, or course and compete anyway, I prove to myself that anxiety does not define my limits. My proudest achievement is continuing to show up, push through, and believe in myself.