What did you do for your Take Flight Awards? What was the inspiration behind it?

For my Take Flight, I wanted to shake things up. My loved ones often tell me I’m too nice—sometimes to my detriment. I rarely get angry, to the point where most people can’t even imagine me losing my temper. So, I decided to challenge that by dedicating a year to something that would ignite a different side of me: boxing.

I spent my Take Flight wrapping my hands at Bleecker Street’s OVERTHROW Boxing Club. Stepping into the ring and putting on the gloves wasn't only physically challenging, but it also taught me some hard lessons:  attention to detail, process, and pace, skills I can now use in my daily workflow.

 

What were some of the highlights?

The friends who joined me in class, along with the ones I made along the way, really took the whole journey to the next level. From collegiate-level boxers to complete beginners, we all came together, pushing each other to grow and making every moment more rewarding.

The classes were always high-energy and exactly what I needed after a long day of work. I was able to turn on my design brain and dedicate myself to the goal of being drop-dead exhausted at the end. Each class finished with intense wailing on the heavy bag, I loved the opportunity to expel bad vibes from the day into the bag. I always felt lighter walking out of the gym than I did walking in.