Jonathan Misura is a student athlete and aspiring professional in the field of exercise science. He grew up in Milltown, New Jersey, and has spent most of his life focused on school, sports, and personal growth. From a young age, Jonathan showed discipline and focus. He studied karate at Golden Tiger Dojo and played Little League baseball starting at age five.
In high school at St. Thomas Aquinas in Edison, New Jersey, Jonathan stood out as a top pitcher. During his junior year, he had a 1.17 ERA and helped his team win the 2024 State Championship. These results came from years of consistent training and a strong work ethic. His mindset is simple: always give your best, no matter what.
Jonathan now attends East Stroudsburg University, where he is majoring in exercise science. He redshirted his freshman baseball season to focus on development, both physically and academically. He trains six days a week while managing a full course load. He believes in structure, planning, and learning from failure.
Outside of school and baseball, Jonathan enjoys snowboarding, fishing, and deep-sea diving. He is a certified diver and takes his hobbies as seriously as his career goals.
Jonathan credits his success to his parents, who taught him that hard work makes anything possible. He plans to build a career where he can help others improve their health and performance—possibly as a coach, trainer, or sports scientist. For Jonathan, success means staying consistent, learning from mistakes, and making his family proud.
Q&A with Jonathan Misura: What Success Really Means
In this candid conversation, student athlete Jonathan Misura opens up about what success looks like to him. As a redshirt freshman pitcher at East Stroudsburg University and a lifelong learner with a strong work ethic, Jonathan talks about structure, mindset, and how small, daily decisions can shape long-term outcomes.
How do you personally define success?
For me, success isn’t about numbers or awards. It’s about consistency. If I say I’m going to train six days a week, and I do it, that’s success. If I stick to my academic schedule and stay on track, that’s success too. I think it’s about doing the work even when no one’s watching.
You redshirted your freshman year. Some might see that as a setback. Why did you do it?
I wanted to give myself time. I had some soreness in my shoulder and didn’t want to rush it. More than that, I wanted to build a base—get stronger, smarter, and adjust to college life. A lot of athletes push too hard, too fast, and end up injured or burned out. Redshirting was a decision for the long term.
What habits do you credit most for your success so far?
Planning and sticking to a routine. I have a set schedule for workouts, classes, studying, and recovery. It sounds boring, but it keeps me focused. I also journal every night—just quick notes on what went well, what didn’t. That helps me improve without beating myself up.
What role has failure played in your journey?
A big one. As a pitcher, failure is part of the game. You miss the strike zone. You give up a hit. You get pulled from the mound. At first, it used to get to me. But over time, I learned to treat every mistake as information. Not something to avoid, but something to learn from. I had a coach tell me once, “Just don’t make the same mistake twice.” That stuck with me.
Was there a specific failure that taught you something important?
Yeah, during my sophomore year of high school. I started a game and walked the first three batters. I was overthinking every pitch. My mechanics were off. I wanted to impress scouts that I knew were watching. After that game, my coach sat me down and said, “You’re not a robot. You’re a pitcher. You solve problems pitch by pitch.” That changed how I approached games. I stopped trying to be perfect and started being present.
You’re majoring in exercise science. How does that connect with your view of success?
It connects a lot. Exercise science isn’t just about sports—it’s about understanding how the body works, how it moves, how it breaks down, and how it recovers. I see it as a tool. Whether I stay in baseball or go into training or rehab, I want to help people perform better and stay healthy. If I can take what I learn in class and apply it in real life, that’s success to me.
How important is your family in your definition of success?
Really important. My parents always told me, “Anything is possible if you work hard.” They didn’t pressure me to be the best—they just wanted me to give my best. That mindset helped me through some tough moments. When I think about where I want to go in life, a big part of it is making them proud.
You also have some unique hobbies—like deep-sea diving and snowboarding. Do they play a role in your mindset?
Definitely. Diving teaches you to stay calm under pressure. You’re underwater, and every breath counts. It forces you to focus and trust your training. Snowboarding is more free—it’s about movement and flow. Both are mental resets for me. They help me stay balanced, especially when school or baseball gets intense.
What advice would you give to someone trying to define success for themselves?
Don’t chase someone else’s version of it. For a while, I thought success meant always starting games, always having stats. But then I realized that sometimes sitting out and working quietly is just as important. Set your own standard. Do your best, and let that be enough.
What’s next for you, and how will you measure success going forward?
Right now, it’s about staying healthy, learning everything I can, and preparing for next season. I want to earn my spot on the team, not be handed it. Long term, I’m not sure yet—maybe coaching, maybe training. But I’ll know I’m successful if I keep showing up, keep improving, and stay true to what matters to me.
Jonathan Misura doesn’t define success by highlights or headlines. He defines it by follow-through. By structure. By growth. And for him, that’s enough.