Performance Doesn’t Equal Identity

I attended Ultimate Training Camp in my junior year, after spending my freshman and sophomore summers chasing things that looked more impressive on paper. I prioritized summer ball in soccer and internships that carried more status, none of which were wrong, but they kept me focused on achievement rather than growth. When I finally chose to step away from those paths and commit to UTC, I realized I had been missing a different kind of development, one rooted in honesty, faith, and purpose.

The week challenged me in ways that sport and work never had. The physical and mental tests pushed me to my limits, but the deeper challenge came from facing the parts of myself I had ignored while chasing recognition. Through teaching sessions, worship, community, and time alone with God, I experienced a level of clarity I had not seen before. I began to understand where my identity truly came from, and it was not tied to performance, reputation, or opportunities.

That summer became a turning point. UTC helped me step into who I really am, not who I felt pressured to be. I left with a stronger faith, a renewed sense of purpose, and a commitment to lead and compete from a place of freedom. It was the first time I felt genuine transformation, the kind that shifts how you live far beyond a single week.

Nick Okoro | UTC Colorado 2024