Age is nothing but a number, but we can’t help but be impressed when young people do amazing things. And when those young people have overcome all kinds of barriers to success? Color us inspired.
Here’s a list of 3 people under age 30 who make success look easy (even when it’s kind of the opposite).
Chloe Kim, 17
U.S. Olympic snowboarder
We’ve been glued to the Winter 2018 Olympics, and a big reason for that is 17-year-old snowboarder Chloe Kim. She earned (and we mean earned) a gold medal last week when she dominated the women’s snowboard halfpipe and landed a frontside 1080, one of the most progressive tricks in the sport. When it was time for her final run, she was so far ahead of her competitors that it was more like a victory lap, and even then, she tackled another technical sequence of tricks, further raising her overall score to record levels.
And to top it off, she’s also winning the social media game with super relatable tweets about what fuels her training routine (churros and ice cream, if you aren’t following her).
Jose Altuve, 27
Houston Astros second baseman
If we’re talking barrier breakers, we have to include our Houston Astros, who showed the world what the city is all about when they defied expectations and won the 2017 World Series. And second baseman Jose Altuve had a big (pun intended) role in making that happen.
At 5’6”, Altuve is one of MLB’s shortest players, but he stands shoulder-to-shoulder when it comes to talent. He’s a five-time All-Star, a four-time Silver Slugger winner, a one-time Gold Glove and Hank Aaron Award recipient and a three-time American League batting champion, as well as the 2017 American League MVP and Sports Illustrated 2017 Sportsperson of the Year (alongside Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, who turns 29 in just a few weeks and could also be on this list).
Paulina Tobon, 27
Luca Love Bracelets creator & #UHBauer alumna
We couldn’t leave one of our young #UHBauer alumnae off this list.
Paulina Tobon perfectly illustrates the tenacity and drive that seems to be innate in so many Bauer College students and alumni. Her passion to leave the world better than she found it led her to form Luca Love, a company that sells unique handcrafted bracelets and accessories made by Colombian women who otherwise struggle to support themselves and their families. Each bracelet sold helps to fund Luca Love’s charity projects that benefit low-income families and individuals. (You can read more about Tobon here!).
By Jessica Navarro