To the Ones Who Saw Me

A Letter to the Coaches Who Saved My Life

Abstract

This manuscript is submitted as part of the Sport Social Work Journal’s special issue titled “In Their Own Words.” The narrative reflects my lived experience as a former student-athlete and current advocate, coach, and storyteller working at the intersection of sport, gender, belonging, and youth development. The names of coaches and administrators referenced in the piece are used with respect and acknowledgment of the profound impact they had on my personal and athletic journey.

Acknowledgments

I extend deep gratitude to the coaches, mentors, and administrators who shaped me, supported me, and saw me as a human first. Their care laid the foundation for the work I do today in sport, community, and storytelling. I also honor the memory of my father and brother, whose lives and losses continue to inform my purpose, compassion, and commitment to advocating for young people, especially LGBTQ+ athletes whose humanity is too often debated or denied.