LAKELAND, Fla. -- There are times in life when we take little things like shooting hoops for granted. For Southeastern’s Madi Hecox, basketball reminds her to live life to the fullest.

“I realized it can be taken away from you and so just trying to live everyday like I don’t want to regret anything has definitely been a focus.”

Madi transferred to Southeastern University in 2019 from Rock Valley, a community college in her hometown of Rockford, Illinois.

“Madi was an exceptional junior college athlete,” said Southeastern women’s basketball coach Tim Hays. “Two sport athlete, had played in national championships in both softball and basketball and we like to find people who love to compete and who love to win. I just thought she had a really unique handle on being a competitor being a winner but also her character.”

But just a few months before her first game with the Fire, Madi underwent an EKG screening, which to her surprise, revealed a heart condition that could have killed her.

“I found out that I had something called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrom. and so I had an extra electropathway that could have led me to go into cardiac arrest,” said Hecox.

Madi had surgery was cleared to return to basketball about a month and half later but that extended absence cost her valuable time alongside her teammates.

“It was like a comfort thing. I didn’t necessarily have the confidence because I missed out on the opportunities where you prove yourself and you gain your role. So I think a lot was also mental cause I wasn’t given the same role because I missed out on the preseason.”

Madi played sparingly her junior season, averaging less than six minutes per game. A far cry from her JUCO days when she was a two-time, first team All-American.

“It wasn’t easy,” said Hecox. “There were good days, there were bad days and I questioned a lot. The support around me, my coaches, trainers, my family, they definitely contributed to boosting my mental health because it’s very easy to get into a hole and it’s tough to get out of.”

Madi pushed through the tough times and her perseverance paid off. She’s now a starting shooting guard for the Fire. She’s second on the team in rebounds and fourth in scoring, averaging just over 11 points per game.

“It’s indescribable,” said Hays. “She went from being our 15th man because of what she was going through. It’s a phenomenal come-back story that really was caused by her character.”

“It’s super exciting,” said Hecox. “Last year was hard but I wouldn’t change a thing because I don’t think if I wouldn’t have went through the stuff I went through I wouldn’t be where I’m at today.

Madi believes that EKG screening saved her life. But to her surprise, the procedure isn’t mandatory at many schools. Which is why she joined Who We Play For, A non-profit organization that advocates for heart screenings for athletes.

“I have an internship with them later this summer and I just want know the ins and outs and meet the people who contributed to saving my life and I have huge aspirations to one day open up my own foundation.”

Madi has been a huge part of the Fire’s success this season, but she wants to leave a greater impact off the court. Which is why she’s advocating for a cause close to her heart.