1 answer
Norah
Student
Rock Port, Missouri
1
Question
Updated
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#spring26 Will I make a good impact on the world?
I love sports but got injured my freshman year. I want to help other athletes never experience injuries. I am also ranked #1 in my class currently.
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1 answer
Jane Akinyemi
Lecturer
36
Answers
Salem, Massachusetts
Updated
Jane’s Answer
Hi Norah,
Just the fact that you’re asking this tells me something big: you’re wired to make a difference. People who change the world don’t start with perfect situations. They start with that deep drive, a wound that shaped them, and this urge to turn pain into something that matters. You’ve got all of that. You got injured as a freshman, and you could’ve let that crush you. Instead, you turned it into fuel: “I want to help other athletes avoid injuries.” That’s not a throwaway wish. That’s a real purpose, the kind that launches careers, clinics, research labs, even whole movements in sports medicine.
Being ranked #1 in your class? It’s more than bragging rights. It shows you've got discipline, focus, and that stubborn resilience to actually push through. A lot of people care, and plenty of people fantasize about making a difference. But few have the academic hustle to chase it. You do. Here’s something you might not notice yet: Physical therapists who work with athletes aren’t just patching up injuries; they’re changing careers, protecting futures, sometimes saving lives. Every athlete who skips surgery thanks to you, every kid who stays in the game they love, every person who learns to trust their body again, that’s the impact you’re talking about.
And you’re not waiting. You’re planning long-term, you’re thinking like a leader, not just someone who shows up. Stick to this path—keep digging into kinesiology, get your DPT, specialize in sports rehab, and you’re not just making an impact. You’re creating a ripple effect that’ll spread for decades.
You’re already headed in the right direction. Nobody needs you to be flawless; the world needs you to stay committed to the purpose you’ve got.
Wishing you all the best.
Dr. Jane Akinyemi
Exercise Physiologist
Just the fact that you’re asking this tells me something big: you’re wired to make a difference. People who change the world don’t start with perfect situations. They start with that deep drive, a wound that shaped them, and this urge to turn pain into something that matters. You’ve got all of that. You got injured as a freshman, and you could’ve let that crush you. Instead, you turned it into fuel: “I want to help other athletes avoid injuries.” That’s not a throwaway wish. That’s a real purpose, the kind that launches careers, clinics, research labs, even whole movements in sports medicine.
Being ranked #1 in your class? It’s more than bragging rights. It shows you've got discipline, focus, and that stubborn resilience to actually push through. A lot of people care, and plenty of people fantasize about making a difference. But few have the academic hustle to chase it. You do. Here’s something you might not notice yet: Physical therapists who work with athletes aren’t just patching up injuries; they’re changing careers, protecting futures, sometimes saving lives. Every athlete who skips surgery thanks to you, every kid who stays in the game they love, every person who learns to trust their body again, that’s the impact you’re talking about.
And you’re not waiting. You’re planning long-term, you’re thinking like a leader, not just someone who shows up. Stick to this path—keep digging into kinesiology, get your DPT, specialize in sports rehab, and you’re not just making an impact. You’re creating a ripple effect that’ll spread for decades.
You’re already headed in the right direction. Nobody needs you to be flawless; the world needs you to stay committed to the purpose you’ve got.
Wishing you all the best.
Dr. Jane Akinyemi
Exercise Physiologist