RESPONDFORWARD.
Your Circumstances Don't Determine Your Impact. Your Response Does.
Why I'm Writing It
At twenty-seven, writing a book wasn't something I'd planned. I always imagined it was something I'd consider later in life, when I had more experiences behind me.
The idea actually came from my grandmother. After reading something I'd written for her birthday, she encouraged me to consider writing about my life.
My first thought was whether I really had enough to say.
But the more I considered it, the more I realized that this wasn't about documenting accomplishments. It was about looking at the experiences behind them, the people who influenced me, the decisions I've made, and the things I understand differently today.
Those were the stories I wanted to explore.
And I realized I didn't have to wait until I was older to begin telling them.
What's Inside
Respond Forward is a memoir and reflection on the life I've lived so far.
It explores growing up with cerebral palsy, discovering bodybuilding, navigating relationships, mental health, independence, and the experiences that have shaped the person I'm becoming.
There are accomplishments in these pages, but there are also mistakes, difficult periods, funny moments, and experiences that didn't turn out the way I'd hoped.
I don't want to rewrite those moments to make everything sound perfect or inspirational.
I want to look at them honestly, including the things I might not have understood when I was younger.
Who I'm Writing For
You don't have to be a bodybuilder or have a disability to find something relatable in this book.
We all have experiences that challenge us, relationships that influence us, and moments where we question ourselves or the direction we're heading.
I hope readers recognize something of their own lives in the stories I share.
More than anything, I want people to understand that they don't need extraordinary accomplishments for their lives to matter.
There is value in everyday experiences, the way we treat others, the support we give and receive, and the decisions we make along the way.
If someone finishes this book with a different perspective on something in their own life, I'll consider that meaningful.
Where the Book Stands
Respond Forward is currently being written and developed.
I haven't established a publication date, and I'm taking the time to make sure the experiences I'm sharing are given the attention they deserve.
As the manuscript progresses, I'll share updates about the book and its eventual release.
For now, my focus is on telling the story properly.