A message from the founders

“Growing up playing tennis, sports were a defining part of my childhood. Some of my closest friendships, favorite memories, and biggest moments of growth came from years spent practicing and competing on the court. Tennis taught me resilience and confidence, but more than anything, it gave me a space where I could challenge myself, connect with others, and feel like I belonged.

As I became more involved in healthcare, I began working with communities whose needs are often overlooked. Those experiences changed the way I thought about inclusion. I started to realize how many spaces and opportunities we consider ‘open to everyone’ are not necessarily built for everyone, and I began thinking about sports in the same way.

It was difficult to recognize that something that had given me so much growing up could be a space where another child might feel left out. That became one of my biggest motivations for creating BOOST with Claire. I wanted to help build the kind of sports environment I believe every child deserves: one where being different does not mean being left on the sidelines, where every child can participate in their own way, and where they can have the chance to discover confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging through sports.”

“Growing up, sports were not only an avenue to let loose and connect with my peers, but they were fundamental to my character development. Many of the skills that are critical to my success today—both individual and interpersonal—were first developed through team experiences. I attribute my resilience, strong work ethic, and leadership skills to the struggles and successes of playing sports.

Among the most important lessons I learned as an athlete was how to be an advocate for myself and others. Whether on or off the field, I have seen the impact that speaking up for less vocal people can have.

Today, being an advocate for overlooked populations is at the center of what I do: it’s why I am studying political science, why I am on the pre-law track, and why I was inspired to create BOOST with Lavanya. I didn’t want to wait until law school to start making an impact; rather, I wanted to combine my passions—sports and advocacy—to model the positive impact that movement and teamwork had on my childhood.”