Kamali Thompson represented the US in fencing at the Tokyo Olympics. Now, she's one step closer to realizing yet another dream.
Doing big things is not new to Thompson, who started high school at the age of 12 and took up fencing. She eventually joined the fencing club at school before being recruited by Temple University to compete at the collegiate level.
Last year, the New Jersey native took fencing all the way to the Olympic level, serving as an alternate for Team USA in Tokyo.
"Once you really find what you love and what you're passionate about, just forget what everyone else is saying. Because if you're doing something different, people are always going to ask why you're doing it," Thompson told Girls United.
"They're going to doubt you, but if you love it and you're good at [it], it's going to take you far. I'm excited that I'm a fencer," she said.
The 30-year-old is also on her way to becoming a surgeon and has already earned an MBA.
"I always wanted to be a doctor. I couldn't wait to see my pediatrician. She was an older Black woman and I wanted to be her because she made me feel great. I want to make other kids feel like that," Kamali, who is currently an orthopedic surgery resident, said.
With so many accomplishments under her belt, Thompson has plans to fuse them all together and is already doing so.
"I can take my fencing, my medical career, and my MBA and make it into whatever I want to make it into. I think that's exciting. I want to open up other opportunities for myself, whatever they may be, down the line."
Her blog, Saber & A Stethoscope was launched in 2016 and seeks to inspire others. Check it out by clicking HERE.
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