As we showed last night, commencement speakers across the country are passing on key advice to the class of 2025,

sharing their recipes for success and life lessons learned.

And we wanted to take another moment to reflect on the words of wisdom being passed down to the next generation of leaders.

I dropped out of law school.

This was also kind of mortifying in its way. It was Harvard,

which I am not saying to sound like a jerk, but to help you imagine how bad it looked to my parents

and to a lot of others at well. But that was the moment I became the author of my own life.

I've been a journalist for a quarter century now.

Not a day has passed when my field has not been

an existential and business crisis.

And I'm happy.

In 2007, I assigned to run track and field here at the University of Georgia,

following in my parents' footsteps as athletes at this great institution.

Shortly after signing day, I found myself in an operating room with little hope of ever walking again.

As I'm sitting in a doctor's office, facing one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had,

continue living my life in pain, or consider having my leg amputated.

In that moment, something clipped. I stopped letting the reality of my present

circumstances dictate the potential of my future. Today, 15 years post-amputation. I stand before

you as a two-time Paralympic medalist, three-time world champion, and four-time world record holder.

Thank you.

If you remember nothing else I say today, remember these three things, please.

Number one, run your own route.

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