Meet Alex, a philosophy student at the University of Waterloo who thrives on introspection and existential musings. A former competitive athlete, Alex pushed the limits of physical and mental endurance during high school, leading to a fascination with the concept of suffering in pursuit of personal growth. Now navigating the rigors of university life, Alex often reflects on whether their drive to tackle challenging coursework stems from an inherent affinity for struggle or a coping mechanism developed in response to the pressures of academia.