MY WAY OF LIFE

I never knew I wanted to become a speaker when I ‘grew up,’ as a matter of fact, I hated the sound of my own voice. I was terrified at the prospect of speaking in front of people. I am an introvert by nature and was the butt of many jokes growing up. I had a deep admiration for people who could get up there and just communicate and inspire people. I would always practice in front of the mirror, but never thought anything of it until I attended Colgate University for my first degree. As one of the top liberal arts schools in the country, you were expected at one point or another, to give a speech or lead a discussion in some form or another.

Naturally, I avoided those classes and stuck with classes with definite ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers like in the natural sciences. My thirst for knowledge and eagerness to stretch myself beyond what I perceived to be my limits, guided my curiosity through metaphysics, astrophysics, philosophy, philology, psychology, neuroscience and behavioral psychology to name a few. I also studied some of the top speakers of our generation.

Vocationally, after graduating from Colgate University with a degree in Art/Art History, I worked as a broker after attaining my brokers license. I always felt a burden on my shoulder as I felt I had a calling in this life and being a broker was not it. I liked its initial challenges, but I knew it wasn’t for me. I wanted to stretch my limits and explore my limitless potential in the meantime, by competing and winning several bowling tournaments, at which point I attained the frequently elusive 300 score (12 strikes in a game)

My next test was in the art of dance and I was determined to master the art of salsa dancing. I eventually made it to the semi-professional level of a team, traveling to places like Berlin, Paris, Istanbul and Cozumel. These and many more feats in my life continued to build my confidence and were instrumental in making me go back to school for a second bachelors.

Mechanical Engineering would be the obvious choice as I honed my computer aided drawing skills and my undying love for physics and the natural science as a whole. I knew this would afford me the opportunity to do what I loved doing, which is understanding and solving problems on a frequent basis. Going back to school as an older student and graduating with honors in one of the toughest majors in the world let me understand one thing unequivocally… There is nothing I can’t accomplish!!! I have helped countless people along this journey called life and I know that my passion to seek solutions coupled with my natural love for the next human being has given me the success to objectively see things for what they are. I am able to connect on more levels than none, especially with the youth, who I am most passionate about.