Coming from a small town in Texas, my lens of the world greatly widened when I departed for the Naval Academy in 2011. From there, I commissioned into the United States Navy in 2015, where I assumed the role of Surface Warfare Officer. Here I developed skills in leadership, navigation at sea, and Naval systems. In 2018, at the height of my career, I received a medical diagnosis that changed the trajectory of my career, but, while I felt defeated, I clawed my way back as life has taught me to do. Today I am once again thriving both in my career and in life. I've continued active duty in the Navy, opened up my own candle business, and am now working to transition into a civilian role.