Personal Reflection: The Courage to Rebuild by Addison

Personal Reflection: The Courage to Rebuild by Addison - January 2026 Scholarship Essay

The first person I ever had to beg for a second chance wasn’t a friend I’d hurt or a stranger I had wronged. It was the girl staring back at me in the pediatrician’s office when I was fourteen years old. I remember the clinical silence of that room being broken by my mother’s voice, steady but heavy with concern: "Addison is obese". In that moment, I felt a toxic cocktail of anger, humiliation, and heartbreak. I shut down, redirected my frustration toward the people trying to help me, and used food as a shield to bury the hurt.

By the time I reached 220 pounds at only 5’5”, I hit a breaking point where I realized I no longer recognized myself—not just physically, but emotionally. I was losing my confidence, my energy, and my joy. The "new strength" I discovered wasn't a sudden burst of athletic ability; it was the courage to be honest with myself and the discipline to start again.

The Journey of Discipline
With my mother’s unwavering support and the guidance of a nutritionist, I began the grueling process of unlearning a lifetime of bad habits. I learned about portion control, how to read labels, and how to fuel my body intentionally rather than eating to cope. It was a masterclass in patience; I had to accept that real change takes time and that progress is often invisible in the short term.

Over the next six months, I lost 80 pounds. However, the internal transformation was far more profound than the number on the scale:

Mental Toughness: I developed a "1% better each day" mindset, focusing on consistent effort over perfection.

Resilience through Rejection: This new confidence gave me the courage to try out for competitive sports like tennis and softball, even though I had never picked up a racket or swung a bat before. When I didn't make the cheer team, I didn't let the rejection define me; I persevered and joined the dance team instead.

Academic Dedication: I applied this same discipline to my studies, maintaining a 4.4 weighted GPA while balancing three sports. I realized that asking questions isn't a sign of weakness, but of wisdom.

Influencing My Future
This realization that "who you were doesn’t limit who you can become" has become the foundation of my personal brand. It has fueled my ambition to become an orthopedic surgeon or dermatologist. I am particularly passionate about researching the systemic link between metabolic health and dermatological conditions like psoriasis and acne, using my lived experience to provide compassionate, informed care to others.

Today, I view my past struggles not as traps, but as lessons. I’ve learned that redemption is something you fight for and give to yourself. Whether I am competing at tennis regionals or volunteering 150+ hours in my community, I carry the knowledge that I am capable of total transformation. My future is no longer a matter of circumstance, but a series of intentional choices grounded in discipline, love, and the belief that I deserve to be the best version of myself.