Growing up in Oceanside was a gift. We were surrounded by awesome athletes, outstanding teachers, caring, motivational volunteer coaches; and we were immersed in a diverse culture that included kids from around the world, many of whose parents were affiliated with the USMC. As the first in my family to go to college, I didn't have any trailblazers in front of me. I learned early on that adversity is the mother of adaptation. Extract the experience and knowledge that is available through adversity and hardship, and you grow into the businessman, athlete, parent and person you can be proud of.  While at OHS, I was very much in the middle of the pack, yet I always had my eyes open to learning opportunities, and put in the work--whether it was going to swim workouts at 6am or trying to write the best short story in Mrs. Baker's English class. While attending San Diego State University, I was introduced to Ultimate Frisbee. That was the inflection point I didn't know I was waiting for. Now, 48 years later, it looks like flying disc sports were kind of my thing. The 15 world titles were all great, but the people I met along the way were what made the sport extra special. Traveling the world to throw pieces of plastic was a privilege I never could have seen coming, and I'd never want to trade for anything else.