Growing up, I had always struggled with my weight. In 2020, I weighed nearly 280 pounds. My self-esteem, confidence, and health were at an all-time decline. During a sleepless night, I decided to begin my journey. I rushed into my closet and grabbed my old high school P.E. shoes. I laced them and hit the road. I started running and could not make it down the street and back. Not long after, I was able to run a mile. One mile soon became two.

Two became three. Three miles became nine. In June 2021, I weighed myself. I was over 120 pounds down. I was thrilled. It just so happens that my father began his running journey in 2018 to cope with grief after the loss of his daughter in 2014. My sister Allie had been in the hospital since she was a baby. My dad estimated she would have walked 26,000 miles in her lifetime. He decided to run the miles that she could not. After over 5000 miles, my dad suffered an injury. I decided to pick up the torch and run her miles. In the present, I have completed the impossible. I have just run over 26.2 miles through the streets and hills of Los Angeles. I sprinted across the finish line with arms raised and tears in my eyes. I am honored to run for this charity committed to the welfare of children. I only hope to inspire the youth to be committed to their health. I am running for Action Medical Research to demonstrate that with the support of family, friends, and community, anything is possible. I want to make a difference with every stride I take.