Me Vs. Me

12-10-2025

When I step onto the wrestling mat, it might look like it’s just me against one other athlete, but the truth I’ve learned is that it’s always me versus me. I’m competing against my own doubts, my own limits and the voice in my head. The voice asks, 'Have I done enough to prepare?'

Wrestling has taught me that before I can beat anyone else, I have to conquer myself.

Wrestling may seem like an individual sport, but I’ve never once felt like I’m doing it alone. Every tough practice, every grueling workout and every setback have been shared with my teammates. We push each other to get better, and that shared struggle makes the victories more meaningful.

That mindset carries over into my experience at the Mitch Daniels School of Business. Just like in wrestling, I may be graded individually, but the lessons, collaboration and encouragement from my classmates make me sharper and more prepared to succeed. I’ve learned this since starting at Purdue as an NCAA wrestler and a Daniels School accounting student four years ago as a freshman who was redshirted. For those who don’t know, being redshirted means sitting out of competition for a year while athletes work on college excellence, recover from an injury or strengthen competitive skills.

A moment came when I had to step into the lineup sooner than expected when one of our veteran wrestlers medically retired. It was one of the hardest transitions I’ve had to make. Not fully ready, I had no choice except to step up. Looking back, that shift shaped me. I learned resilience, discipline and the importance of being ready even when life throws unexpected challenges at me.

Those lessons aren’t limited to the mat. In academics and business, there are plenty of setbacks, too. Consider a tough exam or a project that doesn’t go as planned. I decided to approach academic and wrestling problems the same way: break the problem down, stay disciplined and keep moving forward.

Here at Purdue, I’ve built my academic path much like my athletic one: with the goal of continuous improvement, I take one step at a time. I majored in economics and minored in accounting for my undergraduate studies. I plan to pursue a master’s degree in finance. I want to understand not just how money moves but also how businesses operate and create value.

Last summer, I interned in business valuation at Blue & Co., an accounting, tax and consulting firm, where I worked with multiple companies and learned how to analyze their financials. It was eye-opening to see the real-world side of what I study in class. More importantly, I learned from mentors who guided me through the process. Just like my teammates in wrestling, they pushed me to grow.

Wrestling has given me discipline and the ability to lead, but it’s also reminded me that leadership isn’t about being alone at the top. It’s about trust, responsibility and building others up. When I walk onto the mat, it’s my name on the scoreboard, but I’m carrying the work of my teammates and coaches with me. That same principle guides how I approach group projects, internships and future career opportunities.

Building a team means trust on and off the mat. We build faith in each other by practicing together, eating together and investing time and energy to support one another. We’re a family. We are there through the highs and lows in each other’s lives, and support is necessary for our teamwork. As I continue through my final year at the Daniels School, I've learned that "me vs. me" goes beyond my personal growth; I've learned team development and how to drive projects toward excellence.