Page 79 - Demo

Q: How has your experience as a student-athlete influenced your veterinary career?A. As a student-athlete, you build character and discipline. You don%u2019t wait for things to happen%u2014you make them happen. Whether it means being part of the 5 a.m. club, eating clean, or consistently educating yourself to excel in your craft, you do it. Never giving up may sound clich%u00e9, but you learn to keep going, keep learning, and trust that the results will come.Q: What inspired your passion for bodybuilding, and how does it connect to your work?A. Being an athlete is a priceless outlet; some would say it%u2019s therapy. For me, transitioning from a track and field athlete to bodybuilding provided the same competitive discipline I loved for years but had been missing. It%u2019s amazing to set goals, build habits, and achieve them. Leading by example for people and their animals, along with giving proper advice, is a must. Q: What%u2019s the biggest challenge you%u2019ve faced as a veterinarian, and how did you overcome it?A. The biggest challenge in veterinary medicine is not being able to do everything you%u2019ve been taught to save lives due to financial limitations many people face. While this issue isn%u2019t fully resolved, I recently opened an animal hospital where I offer primary care plans that allow clients to pay in affordable installments over time. I also work in the community, educating people on preventative care to help them avoid major health problems for their animals.Photography by GEORGE KONTAXISMOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 63 79