#309 Ava Cooper Interview

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👑 About Ava

Ava Cooper is a 20-year-old junior at Wofford College, where she is pursuing a degree in Biology with aspirations of becoming a Medical Laboratory Scientist. At Wofford, she is a dedicated member of both the Division 1 Track and Field team and the Dance Team. Passionate about creativity and movement, she also enjoys upcycling, thrifting, photography, and all things sports.

Ava is the founder of the S.E.R.V.E. Initiative, Mind Over Medal: Empowering Athletes Beyond the Podium, through which she advocates for mental health in athletics via her podcast and mentorship program. Now serving as Miss South Carolina Volunteer, Ava is excited to use her platform to uplift others and make a lasting impact across the state.

👉 Follow Ava on Instagram:

* https://www.instagram.com/_avacooperr_/

* https://www.instagram.com/missscvol/

⏱️ Timestamps

* 00:00 Adrian introduces Ava Cooper as Miss South Carolina Volunteer

* 02:00 Is this actually me Ava recounts her emotional crowning moment

* 05:45 Pageant journey from high school debut to third runner up to winner

* 08:30 Talent deep dive lyrical contemporary Whitney Houston solo

* 10:33 Athletic identity specializing in high long and triple jump

* 14:30 Technical breakdown triple vs long vs high jump technique explained

* 21:46 Mindset shift choosing fun over fear and hitting new personal records

* 27:10 Mind over Medal founding Avas athlete mentorship initiative and podcast

* 30:55 Competing for an audience of one coping with comparison

* 31:50 Talking to her idol interview with Team USA high jumper Dontavious Hill

* 38:26 A day in the life 6 am hill sprints classes and upcycling downtime

* 45:41 Final ten questions favorite word superpower dream job etc

* 55:12 Closing and nationals look ahead final thoughts and whats next

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