Grunts and groans echo throughout the gym as senior Nikhil Pesati toils away at another set of tricep dips. Hoping to reach a better physique, Nikhil fights through the aches and pain to strengthen his muscles and reach new horizons of physical ability. Although each repetition chips away at his mental fortitude, Nikhil pushes onward and completes his final set of arm day. As he flexes, Nikhil admires his bulging muscles and leaves satisfied and ready to tackle his day. 

After each workout, Nikhil feels a pump in the muscle group he targeted. Each arm day bears the fruit of visibly enlarged triceps: the strain he put himself through caused his muscles to tighten and the blood vessels to widen. Such an incredible feeling of improvement compels Nikhil to return every day to both become stronger, tougher and fitter and also more mentally resilient. 

“After the quarantine a couple years ago, I was really out of shape, so on a whim, I decided to go to the gym,” Nikhil said. “Once I got started, it started to become more fun as results started to come in, and working out and exercising feels good after a while because I wanted to feel that pump again and again.”

Developing his daily gym routine helped Nikhil in more ways than only improving his physical aptitude: the rigorous training he imposed on himself pushed him to become more accountable and orderly. Close friend and co-officer for Game Development Club senior Victor Gong noticed his hard work and concentration in all facets of his life from his academic work to his dedication to their friendship.

“Nikhil inspires me through the way he approaches things,” Victor said. “I’ve seen him get really focused, so I think he is a very diligent worker. He utilizes his talent and directs that enthusiasm toward making use of his talents to do good things for society and the world.”

Reflecting on his bodybuilding progress, Nikhil takes pride in how his athleticism has drastically improved and compares himself to his idols from professional basketball leagues. Since he started regularly working out, Nikhil feels more connected to famous athletes like Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. He realizes that the more effort he puts into his own improvement the closer he will be to reaching their heights. 

“When I’m playing with my friends at the basketball court, I feel like I’m Curry,” Nikhil said. “It’s that thrill of the moment just like that which I get from the gym. Improving and becoming stronger in everything, arms, legs and core, is like Curry making the winning shot in the last second. That is thrilling.”

With a love for team sports in addition to his individual gym pursuits, Nikhil flourishes as a teammate and a collaborator. He admires the work that each player puts toward a team victory and strives to offer his own contributions to reach that goal. History teacher James Tate appreciates Nikhil’s comments and questions that frequently invigorate additional discussions and engagement from his peers.

“Nikhil has a zany perspective, and he says off the wall things that are very entertaining, but he’s actually quite perceptive,” Tate said. “He would sometimes say the most random things that would get everyone to stop and pause. He’s got a lot of hot takes and plays the devil’s advocate, which is really valuable because if everyone agrees there’s nothing to talk about.”

By employing his outgoing personality, Nikhil harnesses his empathy and guides others who are struggling to reach his levels of success. He recalls that his friend encouraged him to maintain consistency when he started going to the gym, and he wants to be an equivalent for someone else. 

“I want to empower people who don’t have the confidence to be more outward,” Nikhil said. “I want to make them feel more comfortable in that hardcore gym environment. When I see someone in the gym, I’ll say ‘Hey, what’s up.’ I like fostering and watching the next generation of gym goers.”

Nikhil aims to be the most kind and affable version of himself and makes sure that he is always there for his peers. Close friend senior Nolan Chen admires how Nikhil’s social skills allow others to feel seen and comfortable. 

“He would go out of his way to help you, and he prioritizes the friendship that we have,” Nolan said. “It is a good quality when you’re looking at it socially because it’s fun to be around someone whom you can trust when things are a little out of hand on your side.”

Nikhil continues his supportive role even on the soccer field, keeping others’ concern in the forefront of his mind. Faking out defenders and kicking the ball to open teammates, Nikhil contributed to his team’s championship victory.

“I got to assist the guy who scored,” Nikhil said. “My assist helped us win the game. That was what mattered: we won the championship. It’s not about a person’s scoring a goal; it’s about the team’s goal.”

Throughout all of Nikhil’s personal and social interactions, one aspect remains constant — he exerts all of his effort to ensure that he has done all that is possible to achieve the best result. During his workout sessions, Nikhil performs at his greatest ability to perfect the form of every exercise, and with his friends, Nikhil always keeps the mood lighthearted and cracks jokes to make his peers laugh.

“I am really talkative, and I like making people happy because I am chill and like to have fun,” Nikhil said. “I don’t really have any social barriers or any nervousness around people. I just talk, and if they vibe with me then I talk more. I’m pretty easy to open up to, and I support other people. I want a legacy of kindness.”