海角在线

The transition from middle to high school is听a difficult time听for many adolescents. For听School of Education and Behavioral Studies Outstanding Graduate Thomas 鈥淭ommy鈥澨齅yers,听it was accentuated by family accidents, breakups, and moves. Instead of succumbing to circumstances, though, he was motivated to become the man his family needed to depend on.听听

Myers is, in every way, a fighter. Physical fitness was a launching point, building Myers鈥檚 passion and discipline. By the time he graduated high school, what started as a competitive hobby in Brazilian jiu-jitsu had become a scientific and practical interest in caring for the physical well-being of others. It is what led him to 海角在线 (海角在线).听

Holistically Invested听

Demonstrating his dedication, Myers has completed听海角在线’s听applied physiology and kinesiology program听in three years instead of the standard four.听听

In his studies, his听top research project has been a study of the barbell back squat, a tactical exercise that听optimizes听isometric force.听Identifying听the benefits of this exercise could make a difference in training regimes for athletes, the military, and first responders, he says.听His study is the largest independent research project conducted in the Health and Human Performance Department at 海角在线, involving more than 40 participants and engaging several faculty members. He plans to continue his research after graduation听while earning his Master of Science in Applied Physiology degree听at the University of Florida.听

鈥淎s I like to say, movement is medicine,鈥� he said.听

Serving Local and International Communities听

In addition to his research, Myers completed his training as an EMT鈥揼raduating as the valedictorian of his class in an intensive, five-month program鈥揳nd uses his certification to volunteer and work at hospitals in South Florida.听He鈥檚听also ridden alongside firefighters to emergencies and learned to听maintain听a clinical approach in intense situations.听

鈥淚鈥檝e seen people at their worst and been present to provide care and encourage them along the way to the hospital,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 love reaching out to people. I give credit to the Holy Spirit [working]听through me to serve people in that way.鈥�听

Myers has found听additional听ways to serve, both听abroad听and locally. Drawing on his Brazilian heritage and familiarity with听Portuguese, he spent the summer of his听freshman听year translating for and听assisting听American doctors听on a hospital boat in the Amazon. Back in Florida, he听teaches听combat听sports听to听youth classes. His听teaching position听began听by听simply helping听and sweeping floors in exchange for free training, and now he is one of the head coaches for high-level, competitive students.听

鈥淚 went into coaching thinking I was just going to be a coach,鈥� he said. 鈥淣ow they call me Uncle Tommy or听Coach, and I get to be a mentor and father figure.听It鈥檚听great to get on one knee and encourage them that听they鈥檙e听competent and strong.鈥�听

The Next Chapter听

This summer, Myers will start a 12-month program to earn a certification in Advanced Life Support.听In August,听he鈥檒l听have to balance the program with his first year of online graduate studies, but听he鈥檚听confident that听he’ll听be able to manage the load.听Completing his undergraduate degree at an听accelerated听rate while pursuing his research, mission work, EMT certification, teaching, and athletic goals has been good practice.听

Having professors who听accommodated听his packed schedule was instrumental听to听his success, Myers said.听When asked how he felt about being selected as the School of Education and Behavioral Studies鈥� Outstanding Graduate in the class of 2026,听he听called it the greatest honor.听

鈥淓ven though I鈥檓 being awarded, I couldn鈥檛 have done this without the continuous support of my peers, my parents, and my teachers,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t takes a team that听pours into听me听physically and spiritually and keeps me strong in the faith so I can keep working unto the Lord and doing it all for His glory.鈥�听

Learn more about 海角在线鈥檚听School of Education and Behavioral Studies鈥� programs at听/academics/schools/education-behavioral/.