Profile

About: My name is Marlon. I'm from Austin, Tx.

I'm a graduate student at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a PhD in Counseling Psychology. My research interest is ending racial violence. I'm also a current LCSW and am a counselor/therapist.

I grew up in North Austin (Parmer Lane Elementary, Westview Middle School, John B. Connally High School) and attended UT Austin for Undergrad (B.A. Psychology), Master's (MSSW Social Work) and now for my doctorate (PhD Counseling psychology).

I love sports, catch me on a court, field, or pool any day. If I happen to lose, my go to excuses are: I'm old, I'm tired, or I'm hurt (bad knees, bad ankles (you know). If I win, none of these excuses will be accepted. I've trained for 3 and run 2 marathons (fractured navicular bone (thanks gymnastics). Also marathons are dumb and no one should do them. I decided to pick up gymnastics recently . . .I've never had so much fun getting injured so often.

I love music, but regrettably cannot sing or play an instrument and yet that doesn't stop me. I apologize in advance. Reading is fundamental. If you were going to feed me, you could never go wrong with cheese enchiladas.

The only continents I haven't been to are Antarctica and Africa, I plan to change this as soon as possible. Probably Africa first because well. . . I don't know that I'm ready for the kind of Game of Thrones winter that Antarctica has. I don't own a coat for Antarctica, I don't even know where I'd buy a coat for Antarctica.

The two most valuable things to me are Jesus and family because if you have them you are never alone. If I'm going to make it all the way to Alaska I'm going to need a lot of Jesus, the hope is that I gain a lot of family as well.

I will always have things to say about the Spurs or NBA in General i.e Greg Popovich is the Goat and Lebron is better than anyone else in the NBA right now (neither of those statements is controversial). I can also converse about Scrubs, Modern Family, BlackIsh, Marvel Movies (that last one was a doozy) and New Girl. I will often make references to 90's cartoons like Jackie Chan Adventures, or The last Airbender(the cartoon, not the movie cause the movie was trash and we will never speak of it again.) or The Legend of Korra.

Why I Ride

OK, you're wondering am I crazy? Yes. You're wondering is that even possible? Yes. You're wondering why? Here's the short version. I'm not a good student, I would not a have passed science school(?) to be a cancer researcher, also would not have passed medical school to be a doctor. I don't have much to offer in those realms. What I have is passion to make change and body that I am willing to give entirely to the cause.

When I served as a counselor at MD Anderson Cancer Center I saw first hand the resilience from patients and their families who refused to allow cancer to rule their lives. I saw them let warmth, kindness, and love rule even when cancer attempted to take everything. For some, their stories were marked by triumph and remission. For others, their stories were marked by courage and endurance even until the end. I stood with patients and families through cancer hoping that one day we would stand together on a day when all cancers have a cure. That’s why I ride, and why I feel it’s so important to be part of the fight against cancer.

Texas 4000 is a program of Knowledge, Hope, and Charity that culminates in a bicycle ride from Austin, Tx to Anchorage, Ak. Before and during the ride we educate about how to prevent cancer, spend time volunteering at events and hospitals that promote treatment and fitness, and we raise as much as we can, and at least $4500 per rider, for research and support services.

Please help me. Help me ride for those who fought cancer, and those who are fighting as we speak. Help me ride for the families who support those who fight, and help me fight for the future where cancer is no more.