In 2023, I was blessed with a truly extraordinary opportunity. While my journey did not end the way I had envisioned, I did gain something equally profound: authentic connections with some remarkable individuals.

I often questioned how it was possible to develop such close bonds in such a short amount of time. Knowing what I know now, the answer is simple, we were all put in an environment devoid of distractions, devoid of phones and television, and pushed to engage in candid, open-hearted conversations. We approached one another's lives with genuine curiosity, embracing our differences and empathizing with the challenges we had each endured; all without judgement. In a scenario that might typically breed toxicity and rivalry, we instead discovered a unifying bond.

While this kind of environment may be difficult to replicate, my hope is that our experiences can serve as inspiration for others to engage in these profound conversations, to truly get to know one another. It is through such connections that we realize our competitors can become our closest confidants and friends.