“I believe anything is achievable if you have the mindset, the will, and the drive to do it, and you put in the time.” As a four-year-old in Cuba, I began figure skating and enjoyed how difficulty and elegance combined to create such beautiful programs. No one anticipated, however, that fourteen years later, I would become a competitive athlete and represent my country twice at the Panamerican Games and in other significant international competitions. Even more unbelievable was the notion that figure skating could become one of the most important aspects of my life.
I was born in Havana, Cuba, where tropical climates and people enjoy dancing and wearing bright clothing. My parents have always encouraged me to pursue the arts. Since I was a child, I have been interested in all art-related activities, including drawing, pottery, classical dance, and many more. I once told my mother that I wanted to become a figure skater while we were passing by a rink.
Figure skating provided a supportive environment that made the other difficulties worthwhile, from its friendly bruise-counting competitions to its ethos of hard work and endurance. Knowing that every second I spent on the ice was a financial cost for my family, I valued every moment I spent on the ice. I had the opportunity to represent my country in numerous international contests, achieving outstanding performances and medals. At that point, I had to make one of the most challenging decisions of my life: whether to continue my sports career as a competitive athlete or enroll in a Graphic Design Program in college.
I resolved to continue my career as a professional athlete, but as the years passed, my artistic roller skating performance began to diminish. Injuries forced me to withdraw from competitions and immigrate to the United States of America to start a new life. To support myself, I began studying English and working in occupations I had never considered. My life had taken an unexpected turn, separating me from my family and requiring me to abandon my former hobbies for art and roller skating. Nevertheless, it is never too late to follow one’s aspirations. During the shutdown of the year 2020, I utilized my free time to build photo frames with the artwork. The number of paintings ordered by clients enabled me to launch a second business selling them on Etsy.com. My designs were more exciting and motivating to me. To further my artistic inclinations, I began researching Graphic Design.
Daniel Curbelo