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09/18/2017
As a former professional mixed martial artist, Anthony Peairs knows the fight isn't over just because you get knocked down.
"I got hurt doing MMA, so I got into physical therapy that way as an aide," he said. "Luckily enough, we had students from American Career College at our clinic who inspired me to go further within the field. It really gave me a good direction to go in."
Peairs studied sociology at Colorado State before stepping into the octagon as an MMA fighter. He fought professionally for about six years before experiencing a career-ending injury. Concerned about providing for his family, Peairs said he put everything he had into the physical therapy assistant program and was named his cohort's valedictorian.
"I've been through college before and I wanted to make sure that I did it right this time around," Peairs said. "I wanted to make sure that since this is my chosen field — that I've been in for a while but I needed the license and degree to go forward — I really wanted to give it 110 percent."
Unfortunately for Peairs, being named valedictorian also meant having to speak in front of the audience at the pinning ceremony.
"I told some of my classmates today that I used to fight in front of hundreds of people pretty much just in my underwear, but talking in front of my family and everyone in the class and my therapy family and everything like that — it was more nerve-wracking making that speech than it has ever been getting in front of people to fight," he said.
ACC cannot guarantee employment. Programs vary by campus. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student. For graduation rates, median debt of graduates completing this program and other important information, visit americancareercollege.edu/disclosures.
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