Year: Junior
What is your major/minor: I’m majoring in sociology, and I have a minor in writing, critical reasoning, and public speaking.
Hometown: Hillsboro, Oregon
What inspired you to do Motivational Monday’s? About a year ago when I started feeling better and less controlled by my anxiety, I began to observe how much of the social media is used for complaining and negativity. I would post motivational quotes that hit home with my own development onto my Facebook page, and I was involved in student government with the school I went to in Southern California. The student body president noticed these posts and asked if I would talk at the end of our Monday night meetings. The first time I opened up and told my story and my struggle with anxiety and the depression that came after my dad passed away. It was the first time I opened up in front of a large group of people and I loved the challenge of public speaking, something I’ve feared my whole life. After that, I felt more comfortable telling my story and eventually Motivational Mondays from student government meetings transformed into a weekly video!
How much work goes into producing your Monday clips? I don’t think about the next week’s video until the end of the week so that I can enjoy my week and stay on top of school. By the end of the week I reflect on the interactions with my world and what went well and what could be improved. Once I have an idea I’ll talk that idea out with some friends and formulate an outline. When Sunday comes around, I’ll get together with my two good friends that I work with at the rec center, Chase Farrell and Bryan Cargill and we’ll have some fun doing some filming. Those guys are geniuses with the filming and editing!
Do you have a Motivational Monday video that you are most proud of? I think the first one I did was my proudest moment because I just got up and did it, and told my story. It was awesome seeing the reaction from my audience, and knowing that people out there share similar experiences to me.
What do you do on your spare time? I spend the majority of my days on campus. My top priority is school and when I’m not studying I’ll be working, exercising, or hanging out at the Rec center. Especially now that the weather is getting better I like to spend a lot of time outside.
What other activities do you participate in, on campus? I did SWAT (Sexual Wellness Advocacy Team) last term. I learned an incredible amount from that group about our culture, especially here on campus. I’ve got a lot of student debt, like a lot of us, so I’m helping out whenever I can with OSA (Oregon Student Association). Now I am about to help out with the LGBQT group here on campus because I believe in equal rights for each and every individual on this earth.
What is your favorite part about the UO campus? I enjoy the beauty of the scenery and the people. There’s a really cool vibe here. Going to school in California made me appreciate how green this area is even though I’ve lived in Oregon for all but four months of my life.
What is your biggest motivation? My family: Ryan, Kelsey, Carrie and my mom. I can never thank them, or my best friends from Hillsboro, for everything they’ve done for me. I’m also very motivated by the potential that we all have. If I can go from a shy little kid in the back of the classroom to giving talks in front of a large audience, I KNOW for a fact that I am capable of turning any dream into a reality.
What are you passionate about? I’m passionate about human rights, helping others, and good conversations. The joy I get from talking to people on a personal level is awesome, I don’t know how else to describe it.
Where do you see yourself in five years? I honestly have no idea where I see myself in five years. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, all I know that’s true is the current moment we live in right now.
Are you currently dating anyone? No, I’ve just started casually dating and it’s fun. I want to get to know as many people as possible and there are a lot of beautiful women here in Eugene. It’s a challenge though because I’ve never known how to approach a girl that I’m interested in. With my anxiety, I’ve spent a lot of my time worrying about what others think of me and doubting my own abilities. Last week was the first time I’ve had the courage to even introduce myself and ask a girl to get together and talk.
What is your ultimate goal in life? I just want to be happy. All I want to do is be happy in a healthy, enjoy each day, have a good relationship with my family, maintain balance, and be the best person I can be.