I chose to be a Heart Walk Coach because I know firsthand how education, access, and awareness can change lives—sometimes even save them.

9 out of 10 people who suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital don’t survive. In most of those cases, bystander CPR wasn’t performed. But we can change that.

There’s a huge underserved population in North Texas that lacks access to basic CPR education and preventive care. I was 18 when my family could finally afford physicals for me and my siblings. Our lipid panels came back with elevated cholesterol—"Must be genetic," our doctor said. We were warned: if we didn’t take action, we’d be at high risk for heart attack, stroke, or even bypass surgery by 40.

That moment shaped my perspective. It showed me how powerful early education and access to care can be.

So I walk, fundraise, and coach to help the American Heart Association reach more families like mine—supporting research, spreading CPR training, and bringing heart health education to the communities that need it most.