From the age of 10, I was a medical mystery. I have had a cast in almost every color and a story with each broken bone. I went from doctor to doctor with minimal hope for a resolution. There was no answer to my predicament except for clumsiness until I stepped into Doctor Mark’s office. The moment I came in, Mark looked me up and down and immediately told me my problem. I walk like a duck. My feet pointed inward, causing them to trip on one another. The solution he conjured up was putting me in custom-made orthotics molded perfectly to my feet. This discovery made my entire world flip upside down; I could run, play sports, and not be known by name in the emergency room anymore. 

As i grew, we kept in close contact; he went from being my chiropractor to my coach. I went in to get my back adjusted and came out a lacrosse goalie another day. Thanks to him, my love for lacrosse stemmed. I grew as a person mentally and made close friends that I will cherish forever. I saw Mark three times a week for practice, four summer tournaments, and games on the weekend for the next two years. 

I wanted to be the best I could be from extra practice, agility, and one-on-one goalie coaching. Lacrosse was the first time I could see myself improving as a person and a player by putting in extra work. I never had anyone believe in me like Mark. He could look past me being a new player and trusted me to be his goalie. If I ever had an issue, needed to talk, or just a friend, I knew Doctor Mark’s office would be open. I always looked forward to weekly sitting in his office and sharing stories of the past weekend. I have thought about my favorite memory from my entire life, and it is my first lacrosse game. I still remember how proud Mark was when I saved my first goal. I saw his eyes wrinkle and his smile reach ear to ear from under his iconic sunglasses he wore. That feeling I had from my first game lasted me until my very last one junior year. 

As my lacrosse career ended, my relationship with Mark changed, him becoming more of a mentor to me. My wanting to be an entrepreneur and run my own business has made me look up to Mark as an inspiration. He does the impossible by running his lacrosse program, chiropractic business, and being a dad. Coach, mentor, doctor, and Mark are the names I call one of the most genuine souls I have ever known. This man is the reason I have developed into the person I am today. Mark has taught me life lessons that no one else ever had, “Hard work beats talent.” By going to college, I’m starting a new chapter in my life and leaving my familiar surroundings behind. I am well aware that naturally intelligent and gifted people will surround me, but working hard and putting in the effort will always beat talent.