At 24, I’ve had some amazing opportunities in life, including working for ESPN, the NHL, the Super Bowl and two mission trips to West Africa and Honduras in college. It’s crazy to think that none of that would have been possible if an event that changed my life didn’t happen first.

In 2007, after dozens of x-rays and MRI’s, my mom and I made a trip to the University of Chicago. The look on the doctor’s face, who would also be my surgeon, was one I would never forget. Turned out I had two Myxopapillary Ependymoma tumors in my spinal fluid and at the age of 17, that was about the last thing I expected to hear.

After my surgeries in Chicago and radiation in Boston, I was nominated to do a Make- a- Wish. I ended up going to summer XGames in LA where I made some connections, eventually leading to me working at XGames, and that is where this journey really starts.

It was in Aspen in 2012 where I met Kevin Pearce; a former professional snowboarder and Olympic hopeful. In 2009 Kevin had a fall in Salt Lake City, Utah, which resulted in a TBI and a few years later LoveYourBrain was born.

Running a mile was something I never enjoyed…until I was doing it for an organization I believed in. The REVEL Rockies Half Marathon marks the completion of one of my biggest goals as well as the support for LoveYourBrain (LYB). LYB is the message that embodies our positive approach to brain injury prevention and recovery. Everything LYB does is about connecting, educating and empowering people to promote a brain healthy lifestyle.

On August 17th, I am happy to not just complete one of my goals, but to be running in support of LoveYourBrain. Find out more at Loveyourbrain.com