Blue Skies Natalia Ojeda

Darius Hyde grew up in Merced, California. Despite a heart condition, Darius played football at a young age. Since then he has spent countless hours on the field perfecting his game. But his interests go beyond the football field. Science has also played a significant role in shaping who he is today. Darius recently graduated from San Diego State University with a BS in Biochemistry. He has managed to weave STEM and athletics, two seemingly different worlds together. Today, he's here to share his journey as a STEM student athlete. 



Darius' Social Media

Instagram

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Natalia Ojeda's Social Media and Website Links

Website | Instagram | TikTok | 

Taylor McLaughlin graduated from the University of Michigan in 2019 with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. During his time at Michigan, he was the recipient of a full athletic scholarship for Track & Field, showcasing his dedication to both academics and athletics.

As an athlete, he was a 4x All-American in the NCAA, a testament to his consistent excellence on the track. Additionally, he secured the title of 2x conference champion in his individual event. He lead the track and field team as a team captain for three consecutive years, guiding and motivating his teammates to achieve their best.

Presently, Taylor McLaughlin is pursuing a Master's degree online at the University of Southern California (USC) while continuing his athletic career as a professional track and field athlete. His dedication to both his education and athletic pursuits continues to inspire those around him, making Taylor an amazing and multifaceted individual.

He shares his journey as a STEM student athlete at every level, his mental health challenges, and his perpective on what makes him successful. Taylor's personal mission is to leave a mark on all fields he pursues to compete in, both athletic and academic.



Taylor's Social Media

Instagram

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Natalia Ojeda's Social Media and Website Links

Website | Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn

I'm honored to feature our first STEM Student Athlete, Kwesi Rutledge. He's a researcher at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, focusing on safe robot control. Kwesi holds a PhD from the University of Michigan, where he was also a member of the Varsity Track and Field Team while pursuing his undergraduate degree. He talks about his journey balancing sports and academics, offering advice to students in similar situations. Kwesi also discusses his post-sports life and shares his latest ambitious goals.



Kwesi's Social Media Platforms and Website Links

Twitter | Website

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Natalia Ojeda's Social Media and Website Links

Website | Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn

"Gil Acevedo, a talented software engineer, and Gina D’Andrea-Penna, a dedicated Neuroscience Ph.D. candidate, found themselves constantly overwhelmed by the demands of their high-pressure careers. Despite their successes, they realized that something was missing in their lives - a sense of balance and well-being.Through their shared passion for personal development, they discovered the transformative power of strength training and the importance of a balanced lifestyle. They experienced firsthand how integrating physical fitness, nutrition, stress management, and mindset coaching could revolutionize their lives, and they became determined to share their newfound knowledge with others.Drawing on Gina's expertise in neuroscience and the mind-body connection, as well as Gil's problem-solving skills and drive for efficiency, they developed a comprehensive wellness program tailored to the needs of busy professionals. Their unique approach addresses every aspect of health and fitness, unlocking the full potential of their clients and empowering them to lead happier, healthier lives."



Nexus Social Media Platforms and Website

Nexus Website | Nexus Instagram | Nexus Youtube | Nexus Facebook

| Nexus TikTok



Gina's Social Media Platforms

Instagram | Facebook | Website



Gil's Social Media Platforms

Facebook | Instagram | LinkeIn

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Natalia Ojeda's Social Media Platforms and Website

Website | Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn

Being multifaceted is not easy when you are in school, involved in extracurriculars, and any other passion you have outside of that. This series of podcasts will include my story as a stem student-athlete and the struggles I faced in the unforeseen circumstances I’ve been through ever since I put a pause on the podcast. It’ll also include interviews with guests ranging from mental health professionals to professionals in STEM and previous STEM student-athletes. If you’re looking for a sense of community, are interested in STEM, or need mental health resources and guidance, this podcast is for you.



Links

Personal Website

Instagram

Tik Tok

LinkedIn

I’ve realized that what causes my high functioning anxiety is not necessarily the fear of failure because I have failed and persevered plenty of times but it’s a fear of being mediocre. I’ve always had high expectations for myself and if I don’t see the results or feel that I’m doing enough I get in my head. I cope with this fear by filling my plate which gives me the feeling that I am doing enough to accomplish my goals. I reflect on how social media comes I to play when striving for success. Do you use social media as a tool or has it become a distraction? How can we better use social media to serve as a source of positivity in our life and as a tool to help us steer away from mediocracy?