Inspring Strength: My Chapel Talk & AJC feature.

From Personal Trauma to Public Purpose:

This past week has been a whirlwind—an intense blend of reflection, gratitude, and vulnerability. It’s surreal to witness the pivotal stories of your life being brought into the open, all within a matter of days. As a senior at McCallie, I had the opportunity to share something deeply personal through my chapel talk, and soon after, I saw my journey and research featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Standing before the McCallie community, I spoke about a moment that changed everything for me—a severe car accident. I was driving a Mazda RX-7 with my dad in the passenger seat when it happened. The aftermath felt like chaos and fear spiraling in every direction.

What anchored me in that moment was my father's love. Even as he struggled for every breath—his ribs broken, his heart literally crushed—his first concern wasn’t himself, but me. He told the paramedics to take care of me first. In what could have been his final moments, his selflessness and care cut through my fear and gave me the raw strength to hold on, both then and in the days that followed. His example of love and resilience has become the foundation for the way I approach life and adversity.

In an unexpected but fitting coincidence, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution ran a feature later that week, highlighting my story and my work with Mindmend8. This work has become my passion: using the tools of cognitive science and complex language to help others push through pain, anxiety, and any challenge that life throws their way. It’s about training the brain to endure—to adapt and become resilient even in the toughest moments. Sharing that research, and seeing it resonate beyond just our community, is an incredible privilege.

This week has reminded me that struggle and suffering can lead to new purpose. It’s humbling to share both the deeply personal and the scientific sides of my journey, knowing that both can empower others to stand strong through whatever they might face.

If you’d like, you can listen to my chapel talk and read the full AJC news story to learn more.

Thank you for being part of this journey.