Day 4 officially ended at 1 a.m. on Day 5. Why? Because we were determined to refine and finalize our pitch for today, knowing it was our chance to showcase the culmination of everything we’ve learned and worked toward this week.
Growth Doesn’t Come from Comfort
Growth doesn’t come from staying in our comfort zones. It doesn’t come from doing what we already know or what feels easy. Real growth comes from leaning into situations that test us—mentally, emotionally, and even physically.
Last night—errr....this morning—our team found ourselves at our mental, emotional, and physical limits. Yet, even in those moments of exhaustion, we pushed through and submitted a pitch deck we’re proud of. And here we are, ready to step into the spotlight—not because it was easy, but because we persevered through the hard moments.
The Lessons in the Struggle
Persevering through challenges isn’t just about crossing the finish line; it’s about the transformation that happens along the way.
Discipline: The late nights refining our ideas taught us the value of discipline and focus.
Resilience: The tough feedback from mentors made us sharper and more adaptable.
Resolve: The moments of doubt strengthened our commitment to the work and each other.
Collaboration: The moments of conflict—those uncomfortable but necessary conversations—taught us how to listen, adapt, and find common ground.
Conflict is inevitable in any high-stakes, high-pressure environment, especially when tackling an emotionally charged topic like substance use and addiction. But conflict isn’t just a challenge; it’s an opportunity. It pushes us to communicate more effectively, see things from other perspectives, and build trust through collaboration. These moments, though difficult (and made even harder when sleep-deprived), were essential to our growth as a team and as individuals.
Pride in the Journey
The pride I feel today isn’t just about the work we’ve accomplished—it’s about how we’ve embraced discomfort, stayed committed, and shown up for ourselves and each other. As our time together as team members comes to an end, the impact of this experience will last far beyond this pitch.
Challenges like this aren’t just about proving what’s possible. They’re about becoming the kind of people—and the kind of team—who can rise to meet the next challenge, and the one after that.
Gratitude for Team Sticky Paw Squad
As I step into today’s pitch, I carry immense pride and gratitude for my incredible team: Jan Brown, Angela Colistra Ph.D, David Feinberg, MD, Evan Hitch, and Ajay Kapur. I also want to thank our phenomenal coaches, Vanessa Gurie and Samy Sidhom, for guiding us through this journey and challenging us to be better every step of the way.
This week wasn’t just about creating a pitch—it was about learning, growing, and discovering what we’re capable of when we lean into the hard moments. Here’s to the Sticky Paw Squad and everything we’ve accomplished together.
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