TLU alum JT Watson still remembers the first time he laid eyes on his future wife. Sidney Cox had transferred to TLU from Hardin-Simmons to play Bulldog softball, and the two were both enrolled in Professor Rebecca Hicks’s Business Communications course. “I saw her across the room and immediately knew I wanted to get to know her,” says JT “So, 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.”
The couple graduated from TLU in 2023 and launched their careers. They married this past April, and Sidney says they’ll forever be grateful for Hicks’s matchmaking skills. “Once we began dating, we were quite inseparable and still are to this day,” 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—Sidney jogging off in one direction, JT in another. They planned to meet back at home, but when Sidney arrived, JT wasn’t 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’s 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’s why he’s all the more determined to share his story.
“I never thought I was someone this could happen to,” he says. “I was active, healthy, and didn’t fit the picture most people have in mind when they think about someone at risk of heart disease. That’s why it’s so important to me to share my story. Heart disease doesn’t discriminate. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, appearance, or lifestyle.”
That’s the first part of his message. “Pay attention to your body and to the people you care about,” he says. “If 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.”
“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’t have to be a doctor to save a life.” ~JT Watson
The second part of the message is just as important. “I’m alive today because people around me took action. Sidney had a feeling something wasn’t 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,” JT says. “Those actions didn’t 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’s worth telling. You don’t have to be a doctor to save a life.”
“Our bodies are temples, and we only get one,” adds Sidney. “We 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.”
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. “My 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.”
Sidney, who earned her BBA plus her master’s in data analytics at TLU, is doing combat casualty research at the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research at Fort Sam Houston. “It has been a very hectic last year for us,” she admits. “To be honest, it has been emotionally exhausting. However, having JT here with me makes each day and each struggle worth it.”
It’s true the couple has packed a lot into a year. They got married, purchased their first home, and have begun building their life together. “I’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,” says JT “It’s been incredibly rewarding to share that message and hopefully make a positive impact in our community.”
And another positive thing: JT is feeling great. “Honestly, I don’t feel much different physically than I did before the event, and I’m incredibly grateful for that,” he says.
But the experience has, of course, changed the way he lives. “I 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.”
He’s also gained a new perspective in two main ways because of what he’s been through. “First, it has reminded me just how precious and fragile life is. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, so I’ve decided that I want to be more present and live in the moment, focusing on enjoying where I am and who I’m with. I constantly remind myself that each day is a gift given to me and to treat it as such.”
He’s also come to see the experience as a source of strength. “Challenges that once seemed overwhelming don’t feel quite as intimidating,” he says. “It gives me courage because I know I’ve already overcome something so much worse than whatever challenge is in front of me.”
And even now, he still carries lessons learned back at TLU. “One of the most valuable lessons I learned came from my coach, Coach Mike Wacker,” he says. “As a freshman, he shared a quote that has stayed with me ever since: ‘I will not fear tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and loved today.’ 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.”
To watch the video created by the American Heart Association featuring J.T. and Sidney, click here: 2026 San Antonio Heart and Stroke Walk | John Watson
