国产探花 alum JT Watson still remembers the first time he laid eyes on his future wife. Sidney Cox had transferred to 国产探花 from Hardin-Simmons to play Bulldog softball, and the two were both enrolled in Professor Rebecca Hicks鈥檚 Business Communications course. 鈥淚 saw her across the room and immediately knew I wanted to get to know her,鈥� says JT 鈥淪o, the next time we had class together, I got there early and claimed the seat next to her. From that point on, I pretty much just kept showing up and talking to her until she finally agreed to go on a date with me. Some people call it persistence; others might call it bothering her. Thankfully, she saw it as persistence.鈥�
The couple graduated from 国产探花 in 2023 and launched their careers. They married this past April, and Sidney says they鈥檒l forever be grateful for Hicks鈥檚 matchmaking skills. 鈥淥nce we began dating, we were quite inseparable and still are to this day,鈥� she says.
But there was a moment during their engagement when Sidney could have lost JT and their dreams for their future forever. It was just another Monday when they went out for an after-work run鈥擲idney jogging off in one direction, JT in another. They planned to meet back at home, but when Sidney arrived, JT wasn鈥檛 there.
Sidney went in search of him and found him unconscious on the ground. Time and medical tests would reveal that JT had suffered cardiac arrest due to a rare genetic heart condition called Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC). But in that unthinkably horrifying moment, Sidney had the presence of mind to call 911 and scream for help.
Two neighbors heard and ran to offer assistance, performing CPR following the instructions given over the phone as they waited for the ambulance to arrive.
Why This Story is Important
It鈥檚 hard to fathom how a healthy young man in his mid-twenties could go into cardiac arrest. JT had played basketball in high school and college and remained active after graduation. But that鈥檚 why he鈥檚 all the more determined to share his story.
鈥淚 never thought I was someone this could happen to,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 was active, healthy, and didn鈥檛 fit the picture most people have in mind when they think about someone at risk of heart disease. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 so important to me to share my story. Heart disease doesn鈥檛 discriminate. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, appearance, or lifestyle.鈥�
That鈥檚 the first part of his message. 鈥淧ay attention to your body and to the people you care about,鈥� he says. 鈥淚f Sidney hadn’t decided to check on me when she did, I don’t know when I would have been found. Her instincts made all the difference.鈥�
“In an emergency like this, every second matters. My neighbors didn’t hesitate. They came running, called 911, and started CPR right away with guidance from the dispatcher. Those few minutes can mean the difference between life and death. You don鈥檛 have to be a doctor to save a life.” ~JT Watson
The second part of the message is just as important. 鈥淚鈥檓 alive today because people around me took action. Sidney had a feeling something wasn鈥檛 right and came to check on me. When she cried out, my neighbors immediately rushed over and stepped in. They started CPR right away with guidance from the 911 operator until emergency responders arrived,鈥� JT says. 鈥淭hose actions didn鈥檛 just save my life, they helped save my quality of life. Because they acted so quickly, my brain continued to get oxygen, which helped preserve my memory, motor skills, and so much of who I am today. If sharing my story encourages even one person to learn CPR, trust their instincts, or take heart health seriously, then it鈥檚 worth telling. You don鈥檛 have to be a doctor to save a life.鈥�
鈥淥ur bodies are temples, and we only get one,鈥� adds Sidney. 鈥淲e all need to do a better job of staying active and eating right. JT survived not only because of the lifesaving interventions given but because of the physical shape he was in before his incident. Being a former student athlete gave his body the best chance possible to survive.鈥�
Going Forward
These days, JT is putting his BBA to good use. He works as a private banker for Amegy Bank, partnering with business owners and high-net-worth individuals to help them achieve their goals. 鈥淢y role allows me to serve as both a lender and a trusted advisor, helping clients navigate opportunities and challenges while growing their businesses throughout San Antonio.鈥�
Sidney, who earned her BBA plus her master鈥檚 in data analytics at 国产探花, is doing combat casualty research at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research at Fort Sam Houston. 鈥淚t has been a very hectic last year for us,鈥� she admits. 鈥淭o be honest, it has been emotionally exhausting. However, having JT here with me makes each day and each struggle worth it.鈥�
It鈥檚 true the couple has packed a lot into a year. They got married, purchased their first home, and have begun building their life together. 鈥淚’ve also become involved with the American Heart Association, using my experience to help raise awareness about heart health and the importance of CPR readiness,鈥� says JT 鈥淚t’s been incredibly rewarding to share that message and hopefully make a positive impact in our community.鈥�
And another positive thing: JT is feeling great. 鈥淗onestly, I don鈥檛 feel much different physically than I did before the event, and I鈥檓 incredibly grateful for that,鈥� he says.
But the experience has, of course, changed the way he lives. 鈥淚 have to be more mindful of how hard I push myself physically. I pay closer attention to my heart rate and make sure I stay within safe limits. Fortunately, I can still do many of the things I love. I enjoy hiking, playing pickleball, and being active with friends and family. I just have to be more intentional about my activity level and avoid some of the higher-intensity sports I used to play, like basketball.鈥�
He鈥檚 also gained a new perspective in two main ways because of what he鈥檚 been through. 鈥淔irst, it has reminded me just how precious and fragile life is. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, so I鈥檝e decided that I want to be more present and live in the moment, focusing on enjoying where I am and who I鈥檓 with. I constantly remind myself that each day is a gift given to me and to treat it as such.鈥�
He鈥檚 also come to see the experience as a source of strength. 鈥淐hallenges that once seemed overwhelming don’t feel quite as intimidating,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t gives me courage because I know I’ve already overcome something so much worse than whatever challenge is in front of me.鈥�
And even now, he still carries lessons learned back at 国产探花. 鈥淥ne of the most valuable lessons I learned came from my coach, Coach Mike Wacker,鈥� he says. 鈥淎s a freshman, he shared a quote that has stayed with me ever since: 鈥業 will not fear tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and loved today.鈥� That message taught me to approach life with confidence and courage. It reminds me that every challenge I face is something I have been preparing for through my experiences, successes, and setbacks. Looking back on where I’ve been and appreciating where I am today gives me confidence in what’s ahead. It’s a mindset that has helped me both personally and professionally and continues to guide me whenever I face uncertainty.鈥�
To watch the video created by the American Heart Association featuring J.T. and Sidney, click here:
