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Speaker: Gregor Baum-The Inner Journey

After traveling across the pond to compete on a tennis scholarship in North Carolina, Gregor Baum’s athletic career was abruptly ended with an injury.

Far away from his home of Germany, Baum was chasing the “American Dream” when he came to Rocky Mount in 2021 to play alongside fellow students of North Carolina Wesleyan University. His story ever since took several turns—all of which led him to a reinvented version of that dream.

He experienced a career-ending injury, and Baum went through a time of serious depression. Seeking help and a path forward, he said he worked with a counselor which led to a new practice of journaling as a means to process the disappointment and shattered dream.

What started as a distraction for Baum in a difficult time turned into public speaking and community service interests. His travels through a student exchange program of Rotary International led him to Mexico and sparked an interest in him to create a student Rotaract Club on campus at N.C. Wesleyan University. The aim of the club was “to create a space where students could share the common challenges of college life, especially when faced with unexpected setbacks,” according to a release from Rotary Club of Crabtree.

"Through Rotary, I found a way to transform my pain into purpose,” Baum said. “What began as a Rotary exchange program in Mexico has evolved into a lifelong mission of service, mental health awareness, and the promotion of resilience. Rotary has not only changed my life but also provides me with the chance to uplift others, proving that through service, we can indeed change the world, one person at a time.”

Please invite a friend and come to lunch on Thursday to hear Gregor's extraordinary story of tragedy and hope and purpose.

Posted by Alicia Hughes
May 6, 2025

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