About Me

Profile

About:



I am currently a recent, first generation, early Graduate from the one and only University of Texas at Austin with a BA in Radio/Television/Film and a concentration in Business Foundations.
I was born and raised in the small cattle and agricultural town of El Campo, Texas. I grew up enjoying the outdoors, playing music, and cooking. I owe my principles, outlooks, and work ethic to my diverse family who taught me that hard work will allow you to accomplish any ambitions I desire. In high school I strived to gain knowledge, played various sports, performed and led my band as drum major, and committed myself to student organizations that ,without a doubt, have led me to realize the significance of hard work and goal setting. Coming to the University of Texas was a magnificent milestone in my life. Austin wasn’t that much of a culture shock because I have always had an open mind and respected other individual's ways of living. I grew up in my small town with a very diverse group of friends that each taught me a lot of unique perspectives. Those types of relationships have only exponentially increased since college, and I truly believe I am consequently a better person.

When I’m not training, filming, fulfilling obligations in organizations, playing music on 6th street, or working at my job downtown, I enjoy working out, cooking, hunting, fishing, and trying to portray a positive attitude onto everyone around me. After my collegiate career, I would like to become a documentary filmmaker, start up my own media company, and hopefully become affluent enough to launch a community-based media organization that gives the under-privileged youth the opportunity to understand and create visual media in their select communities.

Why I Ride

I ride for my uncle, Charles Orsak. He was a crucial part of my childhood and has a major influence on my journey to higher education . I have always admired and modeled myself to his athleticism, courageousness, wisdom, dedication to community service, and commitment to his family. He is still known by everyone in my hometown because of his high school career and contributions to the town even after he moved on.

To make a long story short, my uncle Charles developed a brain tumor in his young adult life. After treatment and a faulty surgery, he barely made it out of it. That was not the end. The tumor came back but he was determined to continue the fight.

The fight with the tumors were battled with powerful medication, mostly steroids. Unfortunately after more than two decades, the strong medication has taken a toll on his body and caused him to develop a nerve condition that has now left him in a wheelchair and slowly causing his muscles and nerves to not function.

It is hard to see a man I have so much respect for not being able to use his body after he has mentally been so strong through his fight. I am hopeful that one day there will be medication and treatment that has no consequences for the individual battling with tumors or any cancer in any form.

I ride for my uncle Charles because I know how bad he wants to be able to move his legs and remain as active as he once was. I am going to pedal regardless of how I fell because there are so many people that are incapable of doing so. I want to also ride for everyone else now or potentially suffering from the consequences of current treatments. We will ride in determination that new treatments and a cure is in our grasps.


WE > CANCER,

John