In the realm of sports, breaking records and setting milestones is not just about winning on the field—it’s about transcending boundaries and redefining what’s possible. Santia Deck, a professional athlete and entrepreneur, has done just that, making history not once but twice before the age of 30. As the founder of TRONUS, the first female-owned sneaker brand launched by a female athlete, and the recipient of the highest-paid female football player contract in the Women’s Football League Association (WFLA), Deck has blazed a trail that inspires and empowers women around the world.
Deck‘s journey to success is rooted in perseverance and passion. Growing up in an athletic household, she was instilled with the values of discipline, determination, and ownership from a young age. From crawling and climbing alongside her twin brother to becoming a national track star and earning a full scholarship to Texas A&M University, Deck’s athletic prowess was undeniable. But it was her entrepreneurial spirit that set her apart, as she self-published her first book while still a student—an early indication of her drive to build generational wealth and leave a lasting legacy.
Navigating the world of sports as a woman, especially as a woman of color, presented its own set of challenges. Deck faced misogynistic comments and stereotypes, but she refused to be defined by others’ expectations. Instead, she used social media as a platform to showcase her athleticism and authenticity, attracting a global following and carving out her own unique identity as both an athlete and a businesswoman.
In 2018, Deck embarked on a new challenge, training for the US Women’s Rugby team with dreams of competing in the 2020 Olympics. Despite setbacks and disappointments, including a battle with depression, Deck remained resilient, trusting in a higher power to guide her path. That faith was rewarded when she received an offer to join the WFLA, ultimately signing the league’s first multi-million dollar contract—a historic moment that solidified her status as a trailblazer in women’s sports.
But Deck’s ambition didn’t stop there. Recognizing an opportunity to combine her love of sports and fashion, she launched TRONUS, a sneaker brand designed for athletes, by athletes. With a focus on comfort, performance, and style, TRONUS quickly gained traction, attracting endorsements from global flag football champions and renowned sports medicine professionals. Deck’s vision of revolutionizing the athlete’s journey through innovative recovery footwear has resonated with athletes of all levels, from grassroots to professional, and promises to leave a lasting impact on the sports industry.
As Deck and her TRONUS team gear up for the inaugural season of WFLA games, they do so with a sense of purpose and possibility. For Deck, success is not just about winning games or selling sneakers—it’s about inspiring the next generation of women to dream big, work hard, and defy expectations. With her indomitable spirit and unwavering determination, Santia Deck continues to shatter barriers and rewrite the rules, proving that anything is possible with passion, perseverance, and a belief in oneself.
In a world where communication is key, Roy Allela, a 25-year-old engineer from Kenya, has pioneered a groundbreaking solution to bridge the gap between the deaf and hearing communities. His invention, the Sign-IO gloves, promises to revolutionize the way deaf individuals communicate by translating sign language into audible speech in real-time.
Allela‘s journey began with a deeply personal motivation – his six-year-old niece, born deaf, struggled to communicate with family members who didn’t know sign language. Determined to find a solution, Allela set out to create a tool that would empower his niece and others like her to express themselves freely.
The Sign-IO gloves are equipped with flex sensors on each finger, enabling them to detect and quantify the movements of sign language gestures. Paired with a mobile application developed by Allela himself, the gloves translate these gestures into spoken words, allowing deaf individuals to communicate effortlessly with those who do not understand sign language.
“My niece wears the gloves, pairs them to her phone or mine, then starts signing, and I’m able to understand what she’s saying,” explains Allela. “Like all sign language users, she’s very good at lip reading, so she doesn’t need me to sign back.” Click here to continue reading about Roy.
