Before I ever stepped into a boardroom or reviewed a design spec, I was an athlete. Track and field was my life. I trained relentlessly, competed with passion, and came within inches of making the Olympic team. Then an injury took it all away.

At the time, I was devastated. Everything I thought I was working toward had vanished overnight. But what I didn’t realize then was that God was preparing me for something greater.

That injury didn’t end my journey. It redirected it.

The discipline I learned on the track—early mornings, relentless repetition, the pursuit of excellence—became the foundation for how I lead today. I bring that same intensity, focus, and grit to every project, every pitch, every platform.

But more importantly, I bring the humility that only failure can teach you. Because success isn’t built on talent alone. It’s built on perseverance. On showing up when it’s hard. On trusting God’s plan even when yours falls apart.

When I launched SAFE, I brought that athlete’s mindset with me. Not to compete with others, but to compete with yesterday’s best. To push for progress. To chase improvement. To honor the process.

And today, as I look back on that injury, I’m grateful. Because it opened a door I didn’t know I needed. It reminded me that calling isn’t always glamorous. Sometimes it’s hidden in detours. But when you trust the One leading you, those detours become destiny.

So yes, I used to be a hurdler. Now I build platforms. And the same legs that used to chase finish lines now stand firm on purpose.