We received such a heartfelt and gracious note from a former Gamespeed athlete recently,  that we asked her if we could share it. She said yes! So, with permission, here’s the letter Nikki Yee wrote to Aaron:

Hi Aaron!
I know it’s been such a long time that I’ve contacted you or have come in for training.  This holiday break has really given me a chance to slow down and reflect on my life thus far and what better way to do that than by getting back in contact with some of my past mentors.

The last time I saw you, I was busy training for my last season with Dartmouth softball.  As a team, we fell a little short of our goals, but individually, I was lucky enough to secure the lead-off position (I had so diligently been working for for 3 years) for the whole season.  More importantly, I am most proud of my preparation not only for my senior season, but for all the seasons leading up to it.

Your coaching was essential to this preparation and allowed me to reach all my goals as a student-athlete.  I cannot thank you enough.  Your program has taught me that dedication means going beyond doing the minimum and I’m truly lucky that I could find a coach that could motivate me and allow me to reach my full potential.  Yes, there were many instances that I didn’t want to do my 3-hour Gamespeed workout,  but I never gave up–or better yet–let up because of all your dedication and inspiration.

It’s this dedication that I learned while training that will propel me into life after athletics. I have currently moved back to the Bay Area and am taking the necessary courses to apply to medical school in (hopefully!) the near future.  I would love to be a sports medicine doctor so I can get athletes healthy enough to get back on the field, court, pool, rink, etc.  So although I will not and cannot become a world-class athlete in my 30s and 40s, this will be a way to stay involved in sports.

Thanks again for everything, Aaron! Congrats on the new place in Dublin!  I recently checked out the website and it certainly looks like business is good.

Best wishes to you and your family, always.
Nikki Yee