How Sports Shaped the Way I Work, Think, and Lead

From the field to the future—how lessons from sports continue to shape my ambition, collaboration, and desire to make an impact.

Sports have always been my starting point. Growing up in Southern California, I spent years on the soccer field—competing, learning, and pushing myself to be better every day. What began as a love for the game quickly turned into something deeper: a foundation for how I approach life. It taught me discipline, resilience, and how to keep showing up, even when things don’t go your way.

The lessons I learned on the field have stuck with me. Today, I apply that same mindset to everything I do—whether it's in real estate, business, or the projects I take on. I approach challenges with a competitive spirit, but also with the understanding that success doesn’t happen alone.

One of the most important things sports taught me is teamwork—how to lead when needed, how to support when someone else is in front, and how to hold yourself accountable to a group goal. In both sports and business, it’s not about being the star player—it’s about making sure the entire team moves forward. That mindset has shaped how I collaborate in academic settings, professional roles, and community initiatives.

As I began thinking more intentionally about my future, I started looking to people whose careers reflect the kind of impact I want to make—and one name that stood out is Mark Cuban. Like me, Cuban came from a background rooted in sports, and he brought that same fire into the business world. His book, How to Win at the Sport of Business, became a guide for me. It showed me how to channel the competitive edge I’d developed as an athlete into smart decision-making, relentless effort, and strategic thinking.

What I admire most about Cuban is how he built his path with hustle, but also with clarity. He didn’t just work hard—he worked right. He stayed curious, adapted quickly, and stayed true to the mindset that you prepare harder than anyone else so that when the opportunity comes, you’re ready. In many ways, that’s how I’m approaching my career. In an ideal world, I hope to model my journey with a similar mix of tenacity, creativity, and service to others.

Because at the end of the day, I don’t just want to win—I want to uplift others while I do. I want to build things that last, create space for people to grow, and make sure that whatever I do has a positive impact on the people around me.

Now, as I step into the world of business and real estate, I see the connections everywhere. The preparation. The strategy. The need to read the field, adapt, and stay one move ahead. Most of all, I see the importance of showing up for your team—and for yourself—every single day.

Sports gave me the mindset. People like Mark Cuban gave me the blueprint. And life is giving me the chance to make it real.