Meet Point Community College Scholarship Recipient Tristan Callahan

Which community college are you currently attending?

Cuyahoga Community College

Which program are you pursuing and what about the subject intrigues you most?

I'm studying to be a physical therapist assistant. My favorite thing about physical therapy is having that insight into how the body works, and more specifically, how it heals.

What are your education and career aspirations?

I graduate from my program in May 2022 and take the board exam after that. I hope to do a lot of continuing education. There's almost zero research about transgender people in physical therapy, and I'd like to be a part of that, too.

What is a fun fact about you that few people know?

I once beat Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time without taking a single hit of damage at any point in the entire game.

What is your favorite book/movie/song and why?

Right now, I listen to "Before I Go" by Guy Sebastian on my 4:30 am drive to the gym.

What is your current favorite streaming binge and why?

Seinfeld, which is really dating myself. I grew up watching it, and you can really see how It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (another favorite) took their inspiration from it.

In your spare time, what do you enjoy doing?

I spend most of my free time at the CrossFit gym where I work. Learning to do things like handstand walks, rope climbs, or box jumps requires so much self-trust and has really helped me feel at home in my body.

How are you practicing self-care during this difficult time?

I've been doing a lot of mindfulness work with meditation and yoga. I also have a gratitude journal app I use every day to keep track of small things I'm thankful for. I make myself come up with something, even on my worst days.

How are you adjusting to remote life and what are your tips to stay motivated?

The best advice I have is to keep to a schedule and still have goals for yourself. It's too easy to let everything start to slip, and the longer it slips, the harder it is to get under control again.

As a Point Community College Scholarship Recipient, what is your message to other LGBTQ+ students?

A lot of people push the idea of "go big or go home", and sometimes that's great. But if you keep slamming your head into the same wall for long enough, sometimes the bravest thing you can do is leave it behind and look for another path.