From the gym floor to the startup.
Sports have always been a part of who I am. Basketball was my first love, but I also competed in volleyball, flag football, and track. Whether I was on the court, the field, or the track, I loved the challenge, the friendships, and the confidence that came from competing.
That love started with my family. My dad introduced me to basketball on Saturday mornings at the park, while my grandma cheered for Michael Jordan from her living room like he was family. However, it was my mom who made the biggest impact. She refused to settle until she found the environment where I could truly thrive.
It didn't happen overnight. I played for different teams and learned something from each experience, but it wasn't until I found the right program that everything changed. I found coaches who believed in me, teammates who became family, and a place where I felt challenged, supported, and inspired. That experience shaped my confidence, led me to play college basketball, and taught me that the right fit matters just as much as talent.
Today, I'm a high school chemistry teacher, a coach, and most importantly, a parent. Watching my three-year-old daughter begin her own journey in sports has shown me that families are asking the same questions my mom once did: Which program is right for my child? Where will they belong? Where will they grow?
That's why I created Yufale.
Yufale isn't about finding the "best" team. It's about finding the right one. Because every child is different, every family has different goals, and every athlete deserves a place where they can build confidence, develop their skills, and fall in love with the game—whatever game that may be.