It was 1980 something...

I remember looking out the living room window eagerly waiting for my dad to come home from work so we could go running. Yep, I was sporting my short shorts with my striped socks up to my knees, and the velcro pulled tight on my running shoes, ready to run. This was our weekly routine, no matter what.

We ran a lot of races over the years trying to beat our best mile with each run. As a kid, I wanted to run faster than my dad, and thought I could, but that was nearly impossible because I was 3 foot nothing and he was over 6 feet tall with legs as big as me. Maybe it was because I was a child and children instinctively blend dreams with reality, but my dad would always be several strides ahead encouraging me to run faster. My dad taught me from an early age to pursue my dreams, even if they seemed impossible to achieve. Whether I was trying to advance to the USATF Hershey Youth Outdoor Championship, but collapsed with a leg cramp. Or when my dream of making the Connecticut All-State Soccer Team became a reality, he taught me how to come back from heartbreaking losses and how to be humble when I succeeded.

But the most important lesson he taught me was when I was 18, after he unexpectedly passed away. I learned that life is short and can change in a blink of an eye. More importantly, most of life’s lessons are disguised as misfortunes. How you deal with those difficult situations is what defines you. I continued to dream.

This is a story about my journey and the dreams that help me think beyond what is possible. It provides a deeper understanding of who I am, where I came from and what I believe in. Life experiences not only shape who you are, but they provide a wealth of inspiration. I am a creative director, designer and a storyteller who believes that sharing life experiences can also inspire others. I am looking to write the next chapter of my life and forge a new path. New Balance has been a brand that I've admired over the years. Not only for the products you create, but more importantly, your brand values. Like New Balance, I was born to move.