"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." -Maya AngelouThe end of my junior year in high school I committed to a full ride basketball scholarship to Cal. Three weeks later I tore my ACL and began a metaphorical climb of the highest mountain on Earth-Mount Everest, in order to play my senior year. While I was climbing (rehab), I thought about quitting approximately 5,000 times. (And that's a lowball estimate) But despite the high winds (pain), low altitude (pressure), mental and physical fatigue, and storms (building intestinal fortitude), I kept going because of my commitment to myself to THRIVE, be PASSIONATE AND COMPASSIONATE, have a sense of HUMOR and do it with STYLE. Now, I put that perseverance to work as a health educator, analyst, agent of change, advocate for the community and coach. I do not have to climb any mountains...but I do have to move them.