Dávid Szőllősi

Since my youth, it has been important to me to find that community where I am accepted and can contribute to achieving common goals. As a teenager, I was an active member of a scouting movement, where I tried myself in many roles: I worked as a European mediator, educational leader, and group leader. This is when I started working with children and adolescents, and for the first time, I felt how much I could give to others in a supportive environment.

Later, I earned my psychology degree from the University of Pécs, where I actively participated in university life: I took part in organizing local psychology days, creating and managing educational programs. I believe finding the right place where we can be ourselves can be a great challenge, but creating a place where we feel safe and accepted is worth the effort.

In these communities, I understood through personal experience that connecting with others can sometimes come with difficulties.

For a long time, it was difficult for me to get close to others, to share my thoughts and feelings with them. I felt that if I spoke about my difficulties, I would become vulnerable, and this held me back from asking for help to solve my personal problems. Over time, however, I realized that asking for help is the first and most important step towards change. I experienced how much courage it takes to say we're stuck or need support – and how much strength this can give.

True connection begins where we dare to be honest with ourselves and others.

Since then, I have been consciously seeking challenges because I believe that growth begins outside the comfort zone. Climbing has become especially important to me – it tests me physically and mentally while teaching me persistence, focus, and how to cope with difficulties.

I train, and I used to practice jiu-jitsu as well because I believe that we can only truly prepare for life's hardest moments by voluntarily taking on difficulties.

Standing on a mountaintop after giving my all to reach the summit, suddenly everyday problems seem smaller.

If you do tough enough things, life itself becomes easier. Challenges not only test us, they offer an opportunity to better understand ourselves and the limitations we want to overcome.