Hey, meet HD new member! Shazwani: From Medals to Manuscripts
Life is often a series of unexpected transitions, and my personal journey is no exception. I began my career as a national athlete, where every day was filled with early mornings, intense training sessions, and the singular focus of achieving greatness in my sport. Competing at the national level taught me invaluable lessons in discipline, resilience, and mental toughness. I learned how to push through physical limits, embrace failure as a lesson, and celebrate the small wins along the way. My identity was intertwined with the athlete I was becoming, and for a time, it felt like there was nothing more I could want.
However, as with any journey, change is inevitable. After years of competing at the highest level, I came to a difficult but defining decision: it was time to step away from my career as an athlete and redirect my focus. This was not a decision I took lightly. Leaving behind something I had poured so much of myself into was incredibly challenging, but it was also the beginning of a new chapter that would reshape my life in ways I never anticipated.
Shifting from the world of competitive sports to the world of academia required a major mindset shift. I had to translate the skills that had served me so well in sports—time management, goal-setting, resilience, and adaptability—into my academic pursuits. I dove deep into my studies, with the same dedication and commitment I had shown on the track or field. The lessons I learned from my athletic career became the foundation upon which I built my academic path.
As I immersed myself in the academic world, I discovered a new passion for research and learning. I found myself captivated by complex ideas, problem-solving, and the opportunity to contribute to something greater than myself. It wasn’t long before I realized that my shift from athlete to scholar wasn’t just a career change—it was a transformation. My academic journey became more than just a way to earn a degree; it became a path of self-discovery, intellectual growth, and professional development.
Fast forward to today, I am nearing the completion of my PhD, a milestone that marks the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and growth. This achievement is not just about the knowledge I've gained, but also about the person I've become in the process. The experience of balancing the demands of academic life while reflecting on the values I developed as an athlete has enriched my journey in ways I could never have predicted.
Throughout my studies, I’ve learned that the qualities of an athlete—discipline, focus, resilience, and the willingness to push boundaries—are just as essential in academia and the professional world. The drive that once propelled me to chase gold medals now fuels my passion for knowledge, innovation, and contributing meaningfully to my field. As I continue my journey toward completing my PhD and embracing new challenges in the professional world, I remain deeply grateful for my experiences as an athlete. Those years of training and competing were not just about sport—they were about learning how to tackle life’s challenges with determination, adaptability, and a relentless commitment to growth.
I am now eager to contribute my unique experiences and insights to the team and company I am proud to be a part of, leveraging the lessons from both worlds—sports and academia—to drive innovation, collaboration, and success. The road from athlete to academic has been full of learning, growth, and transformation, and I look forward to what the future holds as I continue to embrace new opportunities and push forward in both my professional and personal development.