My high school days were full of preppy, polo-wearing guys whose parents were ex-NFL stars, lawyers, accountants, even CEOs of big companies. It was uneasy coming from a middle-class family with a construction worker dad and a wellness coach mom trying to make ends meet after the 2008 financial crisis. It was uneasy seeing all of these Maseratis and BMWs when you rode in a Chevrolet or an F-150 to school. I enjoyed my academics, but I didn't see myself being a model student. I was suspended once, got dozens of detentions, and was reprimanded for my sense of humor by teachers and peers alike.

At the same time, though, I believed in myself. I knew my love of history would have a hand in my college degree choice, and my interest in pro wrestling/sports entertainment led me to be more extroverted singing and doing stand-up comedy. Although math and science were my weakest subjects, I still pushed ahead. I understood the challenges and obstacles in front of me heading into my senior year, but I was also contemplating my future after graduation.

The late nights listening to Childish Gambino as I wrote a few personal narratives about "Th3 Boy Th@t Nev3r Evo1ved" and "F@cad3"; my countless replaying of a scene from my favorite movie I Love You, Beth Cooper; and the discovery of possibly my favorite show, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. However, a song nor Danny Devito could solve these countless questions running through my head.

Did I want to be a history major? Did I want to be a teacher? Did I want to leave it all behind and become a singer or comedian? Where was I gonna end up in five years? All of these questions burned into my head that summer, and before I knew it, I was already in a variety of classes fixed to my History degree. I was content with what I decided, but even as my first year ended in Maine...there was still some doubt. As I worked over the summer with my dad, I realized I had a lot more time on the clock instead of a last minute buzzer-beater.

All of these thoughts remained in my head as sophomore year approached, and I knew it was a 'make or break' situation for me. I became an RA, which was an experience in itself, and along the way, I managed to make some music with a good friend of mine: Davey. A true friend, too. He knew my talent, he trusted my vision for cover songs, and he understood where I was coming from (love ya, pal, thanks for believing in me).

You could say I opened a door into this new hope, you could even say I was finding traction for the ultimate answer to my inner questions. Pro wrestling is always a choice, and I know the hardcore training regimen and commitment attached to it, but I feel like I could really find peace. I even found time to release my very first mixtape on Soundcloud (thank you, Alex Cobra) this past month. That's when I realized...

I can make my own destiny by inheriting what I want to see front and center. I can achieve my dreams if I have the right plane to soar in the sky with. I can get in the ring and become a student of the game if I listen to the right people and believe in my talent. I can go onstage and feed off the crowd's reaction as they either dance along or laugh at my jokes. It's all about what's in front of me, not what is behind me. See you later, haters (as cringey as that is, I mean it).

...those who believe in your future, and those who want to screw it up. Don't let them screw it up.

Inherit what you see, not what they want.

"And that's the way the cookie crumbles. - Bruce Almighty" - Jacob Prest