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Niko Katsuyoshi
When Niko was 14, he packed a bag and moved across the country to chase his wrestling dreams. Left home, started fresh at boarding school, and ended up becoming one of the best wrestlers in the country. But what made Niko stand out to colleges wasn’t just the wins—it was how honest he was about the journey. Instead of writing some dramatic story about pushing through injury, Niko kept it real. His essay was about the values his parents raised him with—discipline, balance, and knowing who you are. He didn’t just check boxes. He showed up as himself: an athlete, but also a leader in Latin Club, a volunteer, and someone who didn’t want to be put in a box. He didn’t wait to get discovered either. Niko cold-emailed coaches, introduced himself at tournaments, and started building relationships in 8th grade. He knew even the best can get overlooked if they don’t speak up. And after getting into Harvard and wrestling D1, Niko realized the dream wasn’t what he thought. So he made another bold move—he left to build something of his own. Now he’s in the startup world, chasing what feels right, not just what looks good on paper. Message Niko if you want to talk college recruiting, breaking stereotypes, or what it’s like to walk away from a dream—and still feel proud of the path you’re on.