Growing up, children are constantly under pressure. They’re tasked with not only completing the necessities but also finding who they are. Usually, children are inspired by media, their peers, or their families. Triple athlete and senior Maximiliano Melendez brought together a mixture of hard times, family inspiration, and the need for success to become who he is today.
“I was bullied a lot as a kid.” Melendez said. “It was so bad, I was overweight, it was just a lot to handle.”
Dealing with this bullying put Melendez in a tricky situation. He was left to figure out where he fit in and who he would be. More than once, he let others choose for him, which led him to his football career.
“I never liked football,” Melendez said. “It always felt so forced.”
Even though the sport wasn’t his favorite, Melendez stayed and succeeded. He’s now playing varsity football his senior year, hoping to make the most of his last year. But how could someone with so little passion for something succeed so much?
“I always knew football plays, you know, I always had the physical build for it, and of course I worked hard,” Melendez said. “It just felt like a hand-me-down.”
Being on the varsity football team doesn’t affect Melendez. He feels as though he’s only there because there wasn’t anyone else to fill the spot, but he’s a hardworking athlete nonetheless. He’s earned his ranks through endless work and dedication.
“I always think I could do more,” Melendez said. “My accomplishments are never enough; I always push myself further.”
Melendez felt as though his accomplishments and being driven were his top priorities. He wants to push himself further than just past the limits.
“I feel like people who do the least amount of work are always winning,” Melendez said. “I work a lot and I don’t think I win quite as much.”
Being a child, you have that mindset that you have to fit in. If you don’t, you’re discarded by your peers and put through endless banter. Some use it as a reason to give up, to let go of any goals or plans for success. Melendez took it as a reason to be better.
“Being bullied when I was younger led me to boxing,” Melendez said. “It became an outlet.”
He took boxing head-on in his sophomore year of high school and excelled. Now, a 3-medal winner, coach, and undefeated 5-0 champion, he’s rising towards more confidence and extreme success.
“Boxing, I just love it, man,” Melendez said. “It teaches you how to stop making the same mistakes over and over.”
His new sport became an outlet that was extremely helpful to Melendez. He was finally finding a place he wanted to be, finally finding his calling. Melendez also joined wrestling late last year, but excelled beyond all heights. He made it to districts, which was an amazing accomplishment and experience for his high school career.
“It’s always been ‘do what everyone else wants you to do’,” Melendez said. “Now, I’ve started taking control over my life.”
Bullying and self-growth weren’t the only reasons for this multi-sport pathway, though.
“My late grandfather was a boxer,” Melendez said. “He was doing it because he needed the money, and I always wanted to follow in his footsteps.”
During his life, Melendez’s grandfather was said to be a hardworking, driven man. He lived a life of good, while building a legacy that Melendez is destined to continue.
“I loved how hardworking he was,” Melendez said. “I’ve always wanted to be just like him.”
He comes from a larger family, with most members residing in Mexico; however, his immediate family consists of his mother, stepfather, and younger brother. His parents divorced a couple of years ago, and while he does see his father sometimes, he spends most of his time at home with his mother. As expected, things are tough for all families, including Melendez’s.
“I work so much because I never liked asking my mom for money,” Melendez said. “I knew she had other things to take care of.”
Aside from sports, Melendez does construction work. Since he’s busy with school for the next couple of months, things have shortened out, but during the summer, he’s excited to get back to work and continue making money.
“I’ve always known I didn’t want to go to college,” Melendez said. “School just isn’t for me, so I started doing construction in the summer.”
Melendez contributes to his family’s income as much as possible. He believes that it’s a big help for his mother and it takes a lot off her shoulders.
“I’ve always wanted to protect my mother, to take care of her,” Melendez said. “Construction pays more, and it’s a big help for providing for my family.”
Since his family is extremely important, finances aren’t the only thing Melendez wants to take care of. Bonding with his younger brother is also a concern. Since he isn’t home much, it’s harder for the two of them to connect.
“I’m only home for a little while because sports and work take up a lot of my days,” he said. “I wish I could bond with my brother more, like spend more time together.”
All in all, Melendez is a career driven, family oriented, and overachieving individual. He’s onto great things in life, including taking boxing into the real world and going to Tulsa Welding School.
“I’m just doing what I love,” Melendez said.
