A FAITH-FUELED 20-YEAR-OLD SWIMMER,BRIAUNA DE GUZMAN THRIVES ON BALANCING ACADEMICS, ATHLETICS, AND CHURCH LIFE WITH UNWAVERING RESILIENCE

May 7, 2024 Lifestyle

At just 20 years old, Briauna de Guzman stands out as an exceptional young achiever, embodying unique
combination of academic excellence, athletic prowess, spiritual depth, and a well-rounded personality. “Change comes from within,” Briauna often says, reflecting her belief that personal growth is a journey of self-discovery and resilience. From a young age, Briauna has displayed a exceeding ability for academics, consistently excelling in her studies. But her achievements don’t stop there.

As a dedicated swimmer, she has trained effortly under the guidance of her coach, preparing for competitions that test her physical and mental limits. Alongside her academic and athletic pursuits, Briauna remains actively involved in her church, drawing strength and inspiration from her spiritual community. Despite the demands of her busy life, Briauna manages to maintain a sense of balance, thanks to her unwavering faith and disciplined approach to time management. “It’s not easy to balance all those things,” she admits. “But I remind myself that the reason I do
these things is for my benefit.”

With a well-planned routine and a commitment to prioritizing her tasks, Briauna navigates through her hectic schedule, making time for everything that matters to her. What drives Briauna to excel in these different areas? It’s her passion, conviction, and enjoyment that fuel her efforts. When faced with challenges, whether in her training,
academics, or ministry, Briauna relies on her love for what she does to push through and remain resilient. For Briauna, staying active and engaged in various aspects of her life isn’t just about keeping busy—it’s an investment in her future and personal growth.

“Change starts from within,” she says, emphasizing her belief that by prioritizing self-improvement, she can also contribute positively to her community. Currently, Briauna’s goals are as ambitious as they are diverse. In swimming, she is gearing up for an upcoming competition, aiming to give her best performance. In her studies, she focuses on completing tasks one at a time, without putting undue pressure on herself to always be at the top. Instead, she focuses on doing her best and putting in the effort required to succeed. For Briauna, a good life is one that includes God at its center. “Even if I encounter struggles, knowing that God is on my side gives me the strength to persevere,” she says.

Balance, for her, is a mindset—a disciplined approach to making the most of her time while ensuring she gets the rest she needs to reset and recharge. Through her involvement in church activities, Briauna has learned valuable lessons that translate into other areas of her life. Serving as an officer in her college organization, she credits her church involvement with molding her into a better leader and helping her maintain high morale, even when faced with challenges. Managing her time effectively is crucial for Briauna, especially with her hectic schedule. She practices Sabbath day to ensure she functions properly and takes breaks when needed.

Prayer also plays a significant role in helping her manage stress and seek strength during challenging times. Whether it’s starting her day with training as a mental refresher or multitasking schoolwork and meals, Briauna approaches her tasks with a goal-oriented mindset, doing things without delay. One significant challenge that stands out in Briauna’s journey was a health scare that threatened her swimming career. Rushed to the hospital the night before a competition, she underwent an appendectomy and faced the possibility of having to give up swimming.

However, with the support of her family, friends, coach, and teammates, Briauna refused to let this setback define her. Instead, she used it as an opportunity to become stronger, both as an athlete and as a person. Now, fully recovered and more determined than ever, Briauna joined the swimming competition, the CARASUC , that was held in Apayao from April 29 to May 3. She had the opportunity to meet other swimmers coming from different provinces in Cordillera. She had won 6 gold indicating 50m Butterfly , 100m Butterfly , 200m Butterfly , 200m IM (Individual Medley) , 800m Freestyle , 4x50m Freestyle Relay and a Silver in 4x50m Medley Relay.

This resilient young achiever sees life as a daily opportunity to be better each day, guided by her unwavering faith and commitment to personal growth. Briauna de Guzman is a shining example of what can be achieved through passion, dedication, and faith. As she continues to pursue her goals and inspire those around her, one thing is clear: Briauna’s journey is far from over, and her story is just beginning to unfold.