Jackson Appelt is a passionate mentor and coach for young adults seeking deep and meaningful purpose in their lives. He has a degree in Translational Medicine from the University of Virginia and is currently a member of the Research Training Program at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. With a desire to become a pediatric neurosurgeon oncologist, Jackson plans to apply to medical school in the Spring of 2023. Throughout his time at UVA, Jackson was a mental health activist and spearheaded multiple programs focused on the importance of peer support in mental and emotional health, based on the essential principle that resilience lies not in the capacity to face our hardships alone, but the courage to embrace our adversities together. This resulted in the formation of the first peer-based mental health class offered to UVA students, titled ‘Resilience and Authenticity for the Young Adult’ that is still used by the UVA faculty. 

He also served as a vocal leader on two National Championship lacrosse teams and used his experiences as a student-athlete to develop a model for self-actualization in young adults. Jackson has 8+ years of experience as a coach, tutor, and mentor, for both students and student-athletes, and is guided by his philosophies of courage, faith, and resilience as a pathway to ultimate meaning.