I’m not a big eater, and it’s hard for me to put on weight. And with soccer practice every afternoon, I’m burning an extra 1000 calories a day. My parents help with trying to find “calorie-dense food,” but at the end of the day, it’s on me to make sure I’m eating enough.

Spring training has started for the football team, and I’ve got kicking camps every weekend through July, too. That means there are almost no off days until the Kohl’s National Invitational Scholarship Camp. Every afternoon, I’ve got practice or weights. School finals are also starting, so time not on the field or in the weight room is time I’m studying. Sometimes the lessons overlap with the sports I’m playing… like Coach Wilhoit (one of my kicking coaches) reminds me: “mass times acceleration equals force.” At 155lbs, I could use more mass.

My aunt is having the same problem.

The cancer she’s facing makes it basically impossible for her to keep food down. Even the smallest amount makes her nauseous. It’s so bad that she’s getting all her nutrition through a tube now. It’s hard on her, but she keeps going.

When I think about what she’s dealing with and how strong she’s being, it gives me great perspective. I’m ABLE to eat. I GET to work out. Both things that cancer is making it impossible for her to do. If she can keep showing up, then I can, too.