ELENA K.
Why do you think squash became Reyna’s sport?
Reyna first chose squash because the club was giving new sneakers for free. At first, she came for the shoes rather than the game. But as soon as she started playing, she really liked it. Gradually, this simple, random choice became her true passion and an important part of her life.
Life is like a game of squash. . .
Every hit of the ball is like a new situation in life. You don’t choose what kind of shot comes to you, but you choose how to respond to it. The way you return the ball is your decision.
Sometimes it’s easy. You see where the ball is going, you feel confident, and you even enjoy the moment. Sometimes the shot is unexpected, and you feel confused or unprepared. You can’t always return the ball the way you want.
But the game continues, just like life. There will always be another shot — and not only difficult ones, but good ones too. 
JULIAN
“Squash had a rhythm that matched my life.” Explain.
To me have a rhythm with something in my life is something important because is when you connect with something that makes you have different feeling.
Sometimes it can makes you feel happiness, or maybe calm when you doing it, an example for me is the music, I feel like a have a connection with music which to me is like a relief or a disconnection with what’s around in the moment if it’s the train, or a bad situation, etc. Music is a rhythm that match with my life and that type of match is something that everyone should have or feel.
Inspiration
Inspiration can be given in many ways, sometimes immediately or sometimes you have something in your mind and you use it as an inspiration. In my case I feel inspiration from my grandmothers, my boss and especially my partner or my coworkers. They don’t say anything to me – I just see who they are and how they act so that way I can be inspired by them.
That’s a way to be inspired but also it can be at the moment for example if I’m talking to my aunt and she’s telling me my dog needs his birthday cake on his birthday, and maybe I didn’t think about that and also immediately can be an inspiration to me to buy my dog’s birthday cake.
SHAVKAT
Learning about Squash
I did not know that squash was a sport before. As a child, I played table tennis and later tennis. I realized that squash is more similar to tennis. It develops fast reflexes and quick reactions. I liked this sport, but I still prefer tennis because it is played on an open court.
“Squash had a rhythm that matched my life.” Explain.
To me, this means that everyone has their own rhythm in life, and Reyna Pacheco’s fast, intense personality matched the quick pace of squash. The sport reflected her passion, her desire to win, and her wish to belong to a world that once felt out of reach.
CHRISTINA
“Squash had a rhythm that matched my life.” Explain.
At that time, when Reyna discovered squash, she was somewhat lost in her life. She was struggling at school, had difficulty respecting authority, and was in rebellion. She didn’t believe in her future. Being undocumented, she couldn’t imagine one, she had to live day by day. When she played for the first time, the coach encouraged her and wanted her to join the team. For perhaps the first time in her life, she felt wanted.
Squash has the same rhythm. It is a fight: you have to live in the present moment and hit the ball. In squash, as in her life, there is no need to plan ahead, you have to be instinctive and make quick decisions.
The rich people’s party
Reyna was uncomfortable at the fundraising party at a mansion, for many reasons. Perhaps, most important, she wasn’t the same age nor the same cultural background with the other guests. But the peak of the situation was when Reyna was speaking with a couple, a woman recognized her and called her by her name.
The couple asked how they knew each other. Reyna answered honestly, “My mother cleans her house.” The couple felt embarrassed and started talking about their housekeeper. Everyone was uncomfortable because it created a gap between them.
The last time I was in an uncomfortable situation was at my daughter’s school during pick-up. I ran into a mother I knew a little, and we spent about 8 long minutes waiting for our children to come out. I tried to speak with her and ask how many years her daughter had been practicing dance, but she didn’t understand me. I reformulated several times, using different tenses. I was really embarrassed. In the end, I gave up trying to find out. And the woman was so uncomfortable too that she spent the rest of the wait on her phone, avoiding speaking with me!
MARIA
“Squash had a rhythm that matched my life.” Explain.
I think Reina was a teenager with a lot of energy and a desire to grow, but at that age she didn’t know how. She had a lot of potential, but at first she didn’t know how to channel it, and that’s why she seemed like a rebellious girl.
When she discovered this new sport, she felt good about the opportunity to learn something new and gradually immerse herself in it. This allowed her to bring out the best in herself, aspiring to something bigger than she had imagined, but which at the same time made her feel fulfilled.
Reyna’s speech
Reyna had many struggles in becoming a squash champion. In this speech below, she talks about what helped her achieve in her new culture and her new country. She also talks about how she cried herself to sleep at night and the many times she thought about giving up!
What did you learn from listening to Reyna speak?
Everybody is a different world; each of us has her own story and belongs to a family with its own problems, traumas, as well as its own skills and abilities to cope with life. But in the end, the decision about how to face each stage and moment of our lives is ours.
It is like the example of two sons of an alcoholic father. As adults, one of them is also an alcoholic because he said, “Just that I learned from my father,” which is an excuse. And the other son is a good man who never tried alcohol and said, “I never want to be like my father.”
The final word is ours.
BASAR
“Quotes” from the coach
→ I am looking for instinct. Inside of you there is a jaguar! ← 
The coach recognizes the fierce, burning desire for success deep inside Marisol. He believes she possesses the same explosive speed, lightning agility, and fearless power that define the jaguar; the perfect qualities to dominate the squash court. With those traits, Marisol can sprint to every ball and retrieve even the hardest shots; her sharp reflexes and smooth body control allow her to turn quickly, change direction, and hit the ball with precise force that surprises and defeats her opponents.
→ You cannot teach the beast. It is either in you or it is not. ←
He’s encouraging Reyna to unleash that inner beast, stop holding back, fully trust her instincts, pour her hunger into every rally, and claim the court as her territory, because the jaguar within her is primed to roar and rise completely unstoppable.
→ I come for darkness and lightness will appear”
He’s teaching a simple but powerful life lesson: when we bravely face difficult times, fear, or hard challenges instead of running away, a brighter path of understanding, strength, and good things often opens up afterward.
→ If you make a bad decision, there is always an opportunity to fix it. ←
In squash, even if you hit a weak shot, it’s not the end of the point because the ball keeps coming back off the walls, so you get another quick chance to fix your mistake, play smarter, and turn the rally in your favor.
So this is exactly what the coach is teaching Marisol: stay calm, keep fighting in the rally, and use every return as a fresh chance to improve.
ABBOS
The role of a mentor
After watching the film about Marisol, I started thinking about the role of a mentor.
Marisol was an undocumented immigrant. She lived in a garage with her mom, her brother, and her uncle who locked the fridge with a key. She grew up poor and often felt very tired and sad.
Her life changed because of her coach. He saw strength in her before she saw it in herself. He was strict and expected a lot from her, but he truly believed in her.
He gave her a nickname – Jaguar. It was not just a name. It showed power, speed, and confidence. Over time, she began to become that person. Sometimes when someone sees something strong in us, we start to believe it too.
Marisol’s story shows that one person who believes in you can change your life.
YANETH
Did this story and film inspire you?
The story is very moving and shows how giving opportunities can awaken dreams in those who don’t see many reasons to give their best in the face of adversity. At the beginning of the film, we see a girl tired of the difficulties she has faced, in a hostile environment and with economic conditions that have left her hopeless. Getting an opportunity, realizing she could be good at something, and knowing that someone believed in her, I think was the key for her to connect the opportunity with the possibility of dreaming about a better life.
I am inspired by being useful to society, supporting social causes, and keeping power in check. Informing others, because an informed society is an empowered society. If a person is informed, they can get opportunities and/or make better decisions. I love truth, transparency, being the voice of those who don’t have one, investigating and exposing corruption so that there are consequences and society can improve.
How do you inspire your daughter?
When she was a teenager, I encouraged her to follow her vocation, do what she loves, and focus on what she is talented at. When she did something well, I highlighted it, so she would understand that opportunities existed for her and that she should take advantage of them.
The rich people’s party
The first time I gave a conference in an auditorium with more than 1,000 people, for an audience specialized in advertising and marketing, I almost went speechless. During the first 40 seconds, my mind went blank because the auditorium was truly intimidating. It was very obvious that I made mistakes in those first seconds trying to start; however, I managed to control my nerves, and by the second minute, everything returned to normal.
I was able to continue my presentation and provide a different and very useful perspective for those who were dedicated to the field of communication and digital marketing.
I know I received criticism for my initial mistake, but it was not significant to me, because giving that conference, being the only woman on the panel and facing such an intimidating audience, represented a breakthrough for me. After that conference, every weekend, all the workshops I gave on writing for digital media, social media strategy, and digital marketing were full.
The next time I had to give a conference to an intimidating audience, whether because of the number of people or the complexity of the topic, the first thing I did was make a joke and admit how I felt. This acted as an icebreaker and created a more relaxed and closer atmosphere with the audience.
SABRINA
“Squash had a rhythm that matched my life.” Explain.
I believe Reyna meant that squash had a rhythm that matched her life because, in her life, she faced challenges and trials that required constant focus. When you live a life with certain difficulties, like hers, everything happens quickly, changes are frequent, and things are not always predictable. In this context, squash fits perfectly with her life, matching the same speed and need for agility her routine demands, while also requiring strong mental control to handle pressure.
Inspiration
The story is inspiring because we can follow Reyna’s dedication and see the changes in her behavior. As for what inspires me in life, it is hard to define because inspiration comes from many sources, sometimes from things that are not traditionally inspiring, even everyday moments. There is no formula for being inspired or inspiring others. It comes from ordinary life, the things we choose to notice, the random moments we witness, the conversations we have, and the stories we hear.
EVGENY
What did you learn from listening to Reyna speak? 
From the video, I learned more about Reyna, her family, and her coach. Reyna wasn’t sure if squash was the right choice or if she could succeed in it.
Her coach had a big influence on her. He helped her grow as a person and didn’t focus only on sports results. Then Reyna started to believe in herself.
Reyna also thanks her family for their huge support. It allowed her to change her life. Squash helped her get into Columbia University, which also significantly changed her life.
Additionally, I looked at her social media page and saw that she graduated from Harvard University with an MBA in 2025. Now sheis working in the financial sector in New York.
The rich people’s party
I try to avoid situations where I feel out of place in a group that makes me uncomfortable. I also had experiences when I was invited to parties with people who were more wealthy. In the end, I just started to say no to such invitations.
GHIZ
Inspiration
I can understand why the story might inspire a lot of people. Reyna’s choices and growth were very meaningful, and I can see why that could motivate anyone to do their best even when the environment isn’t conducive to success and achieving goals.
For me however, the story felt more familiar and relatable than inspirational because I usually tend to approach situations in a similar manner as Reyna does. I also do my best in whatever I do. A good example of things that inspire me however would be people who manage to extract themselves from the shackles of everyday life and do what they like such as traveling.
In my opinion, there are different approaches to inspire people from one’s inner circle such as family and friends. I personally inspire my children through leading by example which is something I’m glad to have incorporated into my daily habits and decisions so they can see the values I hope they carry into their lives.
Inspiring friends on the other hand, simply comes from giving them advice when they need it the most.
Words of wisdom from the coach
→ I am looking for instinct. Inside of you there is a jaguar! ←
A lot of people are stronger than they might think. They have to challenge themselves regularly and may be they will be surprised by what they can achieve.
→ You cannot teach the beast. It is either in you or it is not. ←
It means it’s tied to your genes which highly impact your strength and character. This is the difference maker, you either have the will to win or not
→ This is life. You don’t always get another shot. ←
Life is a special journey full of surprises, opportunities and both good and bad experiences. Smart and brave people always seize the opportunities when they arise because they know it’s not guaranteed to have them again.
→ The ball always comes back, and when it does, just make a different decision. ←
When the ball comes back, the player has a numerous options on how to hit it toward the wall again. Depending on his decisions, the game can turn either on his favor or against him. It’s similar in life, everyone makes choices about how to handle every day situations.
HANNA
Never stop moving!
Squash is a game we play throughout our lives, where we need to stay attentive, be prepared for the next shot, and constantly maneuver in rhythm.
Despite resistance and obstacles along the way, you must never give up – you must keep striving to move forward! Constant movement and striving toward a specific goal can lead to the desired outcome.
It’s important to have your own vision and put maximum effort into everything you do. For Reyna, it was a priority not to settle for less, but to focus on achieving her goals, thinking big, and planning ahead.
Through hard work, perseverance, determination, and a fighting spirit, she moved closer to her goal and became the best version of herself. She said that the process, inspiration, and motivation are essential on the path to success.
You need to be grateful and appreciate every little thing.
It was painful for Reyna that her parents couldn’t give her more opportunities because they didn’t have a green card, which would have opened up new possibilities. She never mentioned at home that she wanted to travel and become an athlete.
The world is full of kind people!
These were the people who helped Reyna feel happy, and thanks to her green card, she was able to achieve her dreams.
JANNA
Inspiration
I liked the story about Reyna. Her success story itself can inspire anyone. I have a personal story about a moment of inspiration. 
Four years ago, I wanted to give my grandson a painting I had painted myself. I have never drawn before. My desire and inspiration were so great that I started taking drawing lessons from a good artist. The result was that I learned to draw and painted 3 pictures for my grandson.
Words of wisdom from the coach
→ I am looking for instinct. Inside of you there is a jaguar! ←
A jaguar is a very strong animal, capable of piercing skulls and turtle shells. The coach is referring to the person’s natural aptitude, which can help her achieve great success in sport.
→ The ball always comes back, and when it does, just make a different decision. ←
You always get the result of your decisions, so you always have a chance to make a different one.
→ You cannot teach the beast. It is either in you or it is not.←
A coach can teach techniques and methods of playing sports. But natural characteristics are of greater importance. Comparisons are made with the beast.
→ This is life. You don’t always get another shot. ←
It is better to have courage and determination not to miss the chance given to you. There may be not be a second chance.
DARYA
“Squash had a rhythm that matched my life.” Explain.
Maybe squash has rhythm that matches most people’s lives. Actually life is full of ups and downs. Everything we do reflects back on us. Our choices are like the ball he hit against the wall, and results are the balls that return to us.
Words of wisdom from the coach
→ I am looking for instinct. Inside of you there is a jaguar! ←
THIS MEANS: You have a fighter spirit that doesn’t give up easily.
→ You cannot teach the beast. It is either in you or it is not. ←
THIS MEANS: you are either a fighter or not. it’s not something to be taught , it’s something you already are, deep down.
→ The ball always comes back, and when it does, just make a different decision. ←
THIS MEANS: When the ball comes back to you as it always does, now it’s your turn to decide how to act. you can choose your next step,move differently, and take a new direction. It’s a matter ot decision and adaption.
→ I come for darkness and lightness will appear. ←
THIS MEANS: No matter how disappointing one’s circumstances are. There is always an end for this. Light comes after darkness like the sunrise after the night.
CHRISTIAN
“Squash had a rhythm that matched my life.” Explain.
The symbolic meaning of squash is back and forth. There are different rhythms and styles of play in squash where shot, power, direction, and hitting have a big influence on winning the match. The intensity with which she played squash is the same with which she faced the problems in her life. Every attempt, effort, opportunity, and stroke in life represents that first serve when we play squash, and every bounce signifies the results of our efforts and the consequences of our actions. Controlling our emotions during the game and having game strategies is the key to winning matches. Thinking, planning, projecting, and executing is the key to success in life.
Inspiration
I was particularly inspired by this story because the protagonist is a young immigrant who, despite her inexperience in the sport and her insecurities in terms of legal status, poverty, and education, decided to work hard and fight to become one of the best squash players. My parents are the people who believed in me. Their life experiences have motivated me to become the best son, worker, professional, and person possible. My inspiration comes from my failures and my insecurities. My struggle with failure is daily, which is why I motivate myself every day by doing everything humanly possible to achieve my goals and make my dreams come true. Although my greatest source of inspiration is my parents and siblings, the children at the foundation I support are also part of my inspiration. They motivate me to be curious, think big, and become as financially stable as possible so I can help them with their education and life plans.
ELENA K.
I didn’t know anything about squash before this story. I think it would be interesting to try to play, because I like games with a racket. Perhaps Reina chose this sport because it is dynamic like her. Reyna is a strong person. She is straightforward, has her own opinion and inner core.
The rich people’s party
She was at such a party for the first time, people, the atmosphere were new to her.
I think Reina felt uncomfortable because she didn’t know how to behave and what to say, because before that she didn’t have to communicate with such people (different social status).
My child goes to a Russian-American school, and at the first parent meeting the teacher asked what language we prefer to speak. I was sure that parents would choose Russian, but they chose English. At that moment, I felt uncomfortable.
JORGE
“Squash had a rhythm that matched my life.” Explain.
I think it means that the game was like her daily struggles. In squash, the ball always comes back and you have to be ready for the next move. In her life, problems also always came back. She did not know if she could stay in the country, or if her family would have enough money. So she had to live day by day, like in the game, always ready and strong.
Inspiration
Reyna Pacheco inspires me because she never gave up, even when she was undocumented and poor. She woke up very early, took long bus rides, and practiced every day. She believed in herself even when other people did not understand her.
In my life, I am inspired by people who work hard and do not quit. Sometimes it is hard to be inspired because life has many problems and we feel tired. But when I see stories like Reyna’s, I remember that everything is possible if we try.
MIKHAIL
Inspiration
I was inspired by this story. I am inspired by people who go toward their goals no matter what. I think inspiration alone is not enough to achieve goals. Only discipline and repeating the same actions every day helps a person get results. I inspire my friends by my example and my lifestyle, although in the last couple of months I have not been satisfied with myself.
What did you learn from listening to Reyna speak?
Reyna had a difficult childhood because she moved to another country, but she never gave up. She watched her parents and saw how they saved money and worked hard no matter what. This inspired her. Her mother believed in her and always told her that if she worked hard, she would achieve everything she wanted. The most important thing was that Reyna appreciated her parents’ efforts. She understood their reality. She never blamed them for not having as much money or living conditions as most Americans.
OLEG
What did you learn about squash?
Squash is in a small room. You hit the ball hard to the wall. It looks fun. I want to try it.
Inspiration
Reyna’s story makes me happy. She never gave up. I tell friends to try hard too.