Throughout my childhood, my parents and grandparents were always extremely supportive of my academic and athletic pursuits. Before every Track and Field Event, Rodeo or Volleyball game, my dad would always give me a pat on the back and say with a grin “Let er buck”.  This mantra has remained pivotal in the way I live my life and the way I address both the challenges and opportunities I am presented with. For those of you who do not know or who have never heard this slogan, it refers to a cowboy nodding his head to signal the opening of the chute in a rodeo event. The reason this mantra applies to every aspect of my life is as follows. 

Before you get to the rodeo and well before that chute opens, there is an exceptional amount of preparation. Hard work, late nights, many miles, proper nutrition, exercise, rehabilitation and countless people who have supported you along the way contribute to this event. Final preparations also include your warm up, visualization, hydration and most importantly confidence in yourself and confirmation of your desire. This process can demonstrate and accurately parallels every opportunity we are given in life. This is my first key to success; without proper preparation, support and motivation we cannot succeed in any given task. 

Now, even if the circumstances and situation are ideal and all the previously listed contributors are aligned, there is still no guarantee of success. You can do everything right leading up to that chute opening and sometimes all you get is a face full of dirt and an aching body. When this inevitably happens, you must evaluate the circumstances and learn from the experience. That highlights my second key to success which is getting back up even when you get kicked down. No matter how the previous experience went, all we can do is put one foot in front of the other and begin our planful preparation for our next challenge. Resilience is essential to one’s overall outcome and long term success in life.

Lastly, before that chute opens, nobody in the world knows exactly what that ride is going to entail. For a brief moment, between the sweat dripping off your forehead and that last deep breathe, there is an instance of calm. A moment of unbridled confidence and willingness to accept the challenge for whatever it brings. You are committed to do your absolute best and accept the result. To give it your all and to be proud of the effort you put forth. Embracing a situation where you are uncomfortable and over powered takes true grit and determination. Therefore, my third key to success is embracing the feeling of being uncomfortable, knowing that we learn the most when we step out of our comfort zone.

This analogy perfectly aligns with my application for the Rhodes Scholarship. Throughout my undergraduate degree at the University of Winnipeg I have prepared for this opportunity through a significant host of valuable and unique opportunities. Being a five-year Academic All Canadian Student Athlete (Men’s Volleyball) provides significant challenges as well as endless opportunity for individual improvement. This included many late nights studying on busses, volunteering in the community the day prior to an exam, coaching and mentoring youth, and tutoring classmates and teammates. My undergraduate degree was also filled with exceptional support and assistance. I have had the most outstanding professors, coaches and family members to provide the love and support especial when I needed it most. 

Even though my university career has largely been successful and extremely positive, there are several examples of failure and getting kicked to the dirt. From losing critical playoff matches, battling injuries and grinding through a poor midterm grade to still get an “A” on the final; university is a critical test which examines how we face our failures and how we decide to move forward. Characteristics of resiliency and tenacity are essential to being a student athlete and to long term growth and success. 

Now begins the third and most pivotal key to success. At this moment in time, I am in the chute, sweat beginning to form over my brow and adrenalin coursing through my veins. My confidence tells me I am ready. There is absolute silence. It is time to take that crucial step into uncertainty and embrace the ever so daunting feeling of being uncomfortable and overpowered. I am asking that my name, my accomplishments and my reputation be considered alongside the greatest students, researchers and individuals in the world for the opportunity to be a Rhodes Scholar. As always, I will give it my all and I will be proud of my efforts knowing that it will be an excellent learning opportunity which will help me grow into the clinician and person I strive to become. 

It is now calm, I have prepared and I am confident. It is time to open the chute and Let er Buck. 

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