I grew up being told hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. So, I worked hard and when that was good enough I tried even more. I saw myself on the varsity volleyball team but I knew that there were girls four inches taller than me with an inch higher vertical jump that could probably outshine me in any match. However, I decided I wanted it enough to try beat the talent. I was 15 and a freshman in high school with two years to make it from the freshman team to the varsity. I practiced six times a week and I was improving. However, the summer before my sophomore year I was on vacation in Polson, Montana, when my dreams became out of reach. One second I was having a normal conversation with my family and the next a semi truck was crashing into the side of the car I was sitting in. The results were bitter sweet. I’m lucky to walk, talk and perform daily functions but I could never play volleyball again. After months of depression and failing classes, I got my first guitar and learned five notes. I wrote about my feelings, dug myself out of the hole and realized there was more to life than a volleyball court. That’s when I heard of Nashville and how it inspired people to be better than they thought they could. Music helps people heal as they try to make their dreams come true.
The Bolt Magazine 