My Story

 

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Life isn't always the most fun game to play. At times we all feel lost, hurt, or lonely in our lives. We may often question our meaning or worth. The only true solution to everlasting happiness, and completeness in life is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Christ came and bore all the sins of the nation on him, just for us and our salvation. We are here to serve him, and live for his kingdom, each and every single moment in our lives.

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I have been playing sports basically my entire life. Sports were everything to me and they were most definitely my favorite hobby. I mainly only wrestled in my sports career. I also played football and baseball when I was younger, but nothing too serious. I went to a private school at the time. The school I went to up until my freshman year, did not offer many sports like the public schools. Anyway, I eventually became pretty good at wrestling. I won a state championship in 6th grade and was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler of my division. I was awarded a very cool championship singlet, as well as some shorts I won from getting the MOW award. 

I started varsity in 7th grade. Right before my first competition as a varsity starter in 7th grade, I took a hard blow. I took a knee straight to the nose. I ended up with a concussion and a broken nose. It took me around 2-3 months to fully recover. I started the season very late but was wrestling rather well. My season was going... I was 18-2 going into sectionals. I was the 7 seed and went all the way to the finals. I was already happy with myself at the time. I got smoked 9-0 but it was a very good experience and learning curve for a young kid. I learned a lot in the varsity world and was ready for the next year. I was working hard and ready to go. I managed to stay healthy all year. Going into sectionals, I was 34-4. I went to the finals again, ready to win this time. I already beat this kid twice, but I was very nervous, and the matches were so close. I ended up taking one of the hardest losses of my career. I lost by 4 points. I was beyond devastated and never really got over that match. I was setting my goals for the next 4 years of varsity. I knew I could and would do great things. In the beginning of my 9th grade year, I was wrestling WELL. I was stronger and faster than before. I was 6-0 and I had pinned everyone at the time. Things were looking only up from here.

I was in my 7th match when I took another hit to the head. I suffered my second concussion and was out the rest of the season. We came back three months later, feeling better than ever. There was such a feeling inside that I was going to stay healthy and be able to prove myself. I was in practice when I suffered my 3rd concussion. I did not really think anything of these hits. I was better after 4 weeks or so and I am a kid, I'll be fine right...? NO! When I suffered my 4th one in practice, things really changed. 

This hit was more serious than the other ones. I have never been knocked out with a concussion, so my doctors felt good about that at least. This one caused symptoms much after a couple weeks. I noticed myself getting frequent headaches during the day. I was getting dizzy randomly and also, I could not control my body temperature. All this led to poor sleeping and daily life habits. A lot of things would bother me, and I did not know what was going on. I went back to wrestling after being cleared by 2 doctors and feeling no pain or other symptoms. I only lasted about 3 practices before another concussion. We were so worried at this point. I had now lost 9th and 10th grade from concussions. Those were the longest years of my life. It was more mentally tough and draining than any physical issues I had going on.

I was recovering for a good amount of time before we found the care we needed. We found Dr. Luckey and Pittsford Performance. These guys are the best head and chiro doctors in the state (NY). After 6 or 8 visits I was all back to 100% and felt almost too good. I have not had this much energy in a while. We were feeling normal again. Better than normal. I was feeling great and strong. I was back at wrestling, going for another run. When I came back to wrestling, after the treatment, (10/1/22) I was wrestling like never before. Those two years I was out made me hungry. Made me want. Made me tough. That was the best two years that could have happened to me, personally. I was wrestling beyond amazing, and this year was looking up.

There were no nerves about a concussion or anything. I was also wearing two extremely Protection-Heavy headgears. After roughly 7 matches, I got another concussion. This time, for the last time. After I hit my head taking a hard shot, I knew my career was done. I cried almost immediately. So many thoughts ran through my head all at once. It was the worst days of my life for a long while.

I eventually picked myself up, but it certainly did not happen overnight. It really was a hard time for me. I was just a young kid, 16 at the time, and had lost my whole sports career... for life. To this day, and I believe forever, I will never recover from losing wrestling. The challenge is still with me every day. I do not go a day without missing wrestling and thinking about what I could have done, not only in the sport of wrestling, but also for my health and well-being.

I wanted to create something, and share my story... So here we are. I believe that we'll transform people, truly open their eyes to the opportunities, and moment they are in. We must all stand strong in our ways, and never quit even when the situation overtakes us. We are here to attack and compete each and every day, and not stop until the day we die. This is my story, and exactly why I created ARCE1.

ARCE1 Meaning

“A Reason Changes Everything”

The Verse That Stuck With Me

Jeremiah 29:11 -  "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

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