On this episode of the podcast, we spoke with Tyler Covington – a student at Florida State University earning his BFA in Musical Theater. Our conversation focused on Tyler’s remarkable pursuit toward what he loves to do.
Tyler lived with severe scoliosis for much of his life. Despite that, fitness and athletics remained a steady part of his routine. In 6th grade, Tyler auditioned for musical theater for the first time and immediately knew it was what he wanted to do.
However, Tyler explains that his parents held an extremely traditional view of the world – actively opposing Tyler’s passion for musical theater and claiming that “some things are for boys, and some things are for girls”.
His parents even placed restrictions on who he could associate with after they found out Tyler was bisexual, and associated his sexuality on his involvement with musical theater.
When Tyler came to college, he initially studied business at FAMU. Feeling miserable, and still suffering from scoliosis, Tyler decided to take control of his life and live truthfully.
He was accepted into FSU’s musical theater program, and decided to have an operation that would improve his scoliosis. Now, his parents have accepted that Tyler isn’t stopping any time soon and he continues to thrive in his program.
Tyler teaches us that we have the capacity to change our lives. Sure, support from loved ones is nice, but ultimately, we can take life into our own hands and create the future we want – if we really try.
Stay Open. Stay Active. Keep listening.
