My name is John Hicks and I am a senior attending Oregon State University. I am majoring in Public Health with a focus on Health Promotion and Health Behavior and am working towards my Bachelor of Science degree. Currently, I work as a student assistant to the director of Oregon State University’s Hallie E. Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families, a brand new building dedicated to research and outreach. I am proud to be part of the team and enjoy walking through the front doors each day.
Previously, I was a Liberal Studies/New Media Communications major, but time after time again I would stand back and realize that NMC was just not the way I wanted to travel in life. I am here, in college, learning such that I may go into a career that will last the rest of my life. Let’s do this right!
Despite leaving New Media Communications long ago, I still hold onto my love for writing and technology. In my freshman year of college I created this blog — and it sure did start out nothing like this. Studio Monroe has undergone numerous transformations, from visuals and posting techniques, to site titles and entry themes. Yet, through all the evolution, I have still kept one factor fixed… And that is the idea of professionalism. I believe in outfitting my site with the best quality and sophisticated appearances. I like to keep it simple, yet have ranges where I can make my site have depth. I will continue to be on board with this experience, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
You should know that I love my major and I love my classes and professors. Their intelligence amazes me and I hope to be as knowledgeable as them someday. Currently, I have a distinct interest in mental health — depression and the human action of coping with situations — to be more specific. I think this area intrigues me so much because I can relate to it.
Prior to my college sophomore year I was dealing with a couple heavy burdens on my shoulders. Being an obese gay man was not easy to deal with. By the middle of my high school years I had come to more strongly understand who I am and what I wanted from myself and from life… And all I knew was that I was a long way from these visions and I didn’t know how to get there. As time progressed, I slowly built momentum and determination to make a significant change in my lifestyle. I experienced my most significant depression in my college freshman year. I had assumed that college would bring about so much change and that I would get the opportunity to break free and begin to be the person I could see on my inside. But, in fact, it was not until the next year would I get this chance and have the means necessary to pursue my goals.
Along came sophomore year — the time for change was upon me and I was ready for the work and endeavor. By the end of my sophomore year I had shed 75 pounds, dropping my Body Mass Index (BMI) from 35.2 down to 23.5. The physical change also gradually gave way to a perhaps even greater psychological rebirth. It is difficult for me to remember “the old me”, but all I can really recall is that every single aspect of my life has drastically improved.
About a year and a half after my initial weight loss I decided to begin another chapter of my transformation. I got into lifting weights thanks to the help from a great friend. Today, you can find me at the gym nearly every morning getting my lift on. Hands down… Life is amazing. Of everything that exists in this universe, there is only one single thing that you have sole control over… And that is your body. It is all up to you to make your goals come true. I know you can do it, if you really want it, and if you can see that real you on the inside.
I am finally out to my family and friends. I am finally able to love my body. I have finally found myself. I am finally free.
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