My name is Jaden Gatts, and I’m a junior at the University of Dubuque, double majoring in psychology and philosophy. As the student president for the Psychology Club at UD, I’m constantly balancing academics, leadership, athletics, and my personal growth. Because of my background, emotional and physical health have become extreme priorities in my life. My dad is a veteran who lives with PTSD and growing up watching him navigate his struggles has given me a deep appreciation for the importance of mental health and emotional resilience. One of the biggest ways I take care of myself is through track and field. I’m a high jumper, and honestly, the sport has become my outlet. From a psychological perspective, we are taught how exercise is closely tied to emotional regulation and stress relief, and I’ve felt that in my own life. High jump takes more than just physical strength; it requires focus, discipline, and a clear mind. Training keeps me in shape, but it’s the mental side that means the most to me. When I’m on the track, everything else; school stress, leadership responsibilities, personal worries, they all just fade away. The high jump forces me to be in the moment and that kind of mental clarity is such a release. It helps lower my anxiety, keeps me grounded, and gives me a sense of accomplishment every time I improve, even in the smallest marks. Balancing school, athletics, leadership, and self-care hasn’t always been easy, but it’s taught me so much about what health really means. To me, it’s not just the absence of illness, it’s a whole, ongoing process of growth whether that growth be physically, mentally, or emotionally.
