I'll never forget when my dad encouraged me to go on my first upside-down roller coaster. I was near tears before getting on, but I trusted him. And deep down, I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. We ended up riding it ten more times in a row.

That moment sums up a lot of my life: a ride full of incredible highs and pressure-packed lows. Through it all, basketball was a constant. I was tall, talented, and people assumed I'd pursue it. I didn't want to let anyone down, even when my relationship with the game got complicated.  

I was deep into a whirlwind of summer AAU tournaments when my coach told me Princeton was interested. It felt impossible. But once again, I leaned on someone who believed in me, and I worked relentlessly to prove I belonged. 

Princeton wasn't easy. Injuries stacked up. The pressure, mostly self-imposed, was heavy. I lost my best friend to suicide. And I couldn't tell where my persistent concussion symptoms ended and the emotional pain began. But there were also unforgettable moments: winning with teammates who became sisters, traveling the world, and writing a thesis on student-athlete mental health. 

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All of it taught me something I hold onto: the roller coaster of life does not stop, but you can learn to ride it. 

That's why I founded Power Forward—to help student-athletes learn how to make pressure an ally instead of something to fear.