NEW YORK - Isaac Grivett is an athlete at heart but says he’s always struggled to feel accepted by his peers on the field. 

"I grew up playing team sports, I was always on the women’s teams and like I was good at sports, but I still felt uncomfortable, I felt like I didn't really connect with everyone else," Grivett said.

Grivett is transgender. He eventually discovered a love for running – and soon, the pavement turned into his safe space.

"Running is really great for me because you don't have to play with other people who are of your same gender, and being able to, especially during the times where I feel like I didn't look the way that I wanted to look, I was able to do something with other people but at the same time it was on my own," Grivett said.

Grivett found new comfort - and confidence - in running. It wasn’t long before he set his sights on conquering a marathon.   

That proved to be easy for the dedicated athlete. Now the 22-year-old can call himself a nine-time marathon finisher. He celebrated his most recent medal Sunday at the 2019 New York City Marathon. 

It’s a feat he says anyone can accomplish – regardless of adversity. 

"I think that if you have the drive you can pretty much do anything in your own way," Grivett said.

Grivett uses running as a platform to share his journey - speaking out about LGBT rights and mentoring others. 

He hopes other young people in similar situations will find strength in his story. 

"Sometimes you have to deal with horrible people and I don't have any advice for that because it sucks and I hate it too, but if you have the desire hopefully that can override anything else," Grivett said.

So, for finding his place and inspiring others with every step he takes, Isaac Grivett is our New Yorker of the Week.