About Me

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Why I Ride

I ride for a cure, for those who can’t, and for hope.

I ride for my high school best friend, Carson Broussard. When we hung out time seemed to stand still. He had a sharp mind, a sharper wit, and always challenged those around him to be better. His confidence and honesty empowered others to be themselves. He consistently dismantled me at chess, loved to play the piano, and had aspirations of going to Harvard. On December 21st, 2013 his journey was stopped in its tracks when he passed away after battling cancer for a year and a half. To this day I still imagine what life would be like if he was still here, and it breaks my heart because I know he would have gone on to impact the world in amazing ways.

I ride for my family and friends. On my mom’s side my gaga, possibly the nicest person I have ever met, has dealt with breast cancer. My grandpa, a young at heart explorer and creator, has had skin cancer removed multiple times. On my dad’s side my grandpa, undoubtably the grittiest person I know, has overcome both colon and prostate cancer. The effects of cancer reach deep through my family, both into my great grandparents and my aunts and uncles. Many of my closest friends have also been impacted by cancer, and every week I internalize just how pervasive this disease is when at Texas 4000 meetings it takes 20 minutes to share updates on ride dedications.

I ride for Carson’s family. His mother, Desiree Broussard, is so inspiring, strong, and caring and she did a damned good job raising an amazing young man. Whether it be at the gym or in her community she continues to improve herself and those around her and she has a heart that cannot help but care for others. His grandma is incredibly kind and was always willing to take time out of her day to care for those around her. His whole family rallied around him during his struggle with cancer in a way that was incredibly heartwarming despite the circumstances.

I ride because Texas 4000 is an organization worth representing. While biking from Austin to Alaska we spend every day significantly impacting some portion of the local community. Sometimes that’s by spreading messages of cancer prevention, or simply giving hope to a host family that our generation is working to make a difference. The Texas 4000 grant committee carefully reviews potential recipients of our funds to ensure our money is making a significant relative impact. The 21 month preparation and biking process also excels in developing leadership skills in its members.

I ride for a future where cancer is no longer a problem. Where people’s quality and longevity of life is largely determined by their own decisions. Where nobody has to be told that their friend, their relative, or their son was just taken from this world because of a disease we haven’t solved. And before that day comes, and it will come, I ride so those who are here can have hope.

‘Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” - Helen Keller