The Series of Events that Lead Me to You...
Leveraging my expertise to drive your success
I am 39 years old and live a life deeply rooted in fitness philosophy and practice. This didn’t happen overnight; it has gradually become a larger part of my life, starting in my teenage years. Before I go into that, here is a bit about my educational background.
I received a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology, from Kansas State University. I have been certified with the NSCA CSCS and have completed coursework in my degree program that qualifies me to test for additional certifications, including ACSM and ACE.
Being a practical person, I value my experience more with each passing year. I began lifting weights at 14, feeling smaller and weaker than my friends. For a young man, this was a driving force that carried me through my teenage years. Luckily, it was accompanied by growth spurts and noticeable improvements in both my strength and physique. This helped solidify my relationship with fitness early on. I also participated in track and wrestling and took extra strength and conditioning classes as electives.
After high school, I spent a semester at community college and quickly realized that I was neither mature nor prepared enough to succeed academically. At 18, in rural Kansas, a career in fitness seemed unrealistic, so I had no clear direction. I left school after that semester and decided to join the Army, hoping to gain both experience and financial support for college.
Exercise is an investment; time and energy are the currency
The Army lifestyle was a challenge, but I was up for it. The structure I was forced into wasn’t my favorite, but I adapted and did well. I knew I would only be there for four years, so I accepted it and made the most of the experience. I was promoted faster than many because my effort was evident. Missouri, Arizona, South Korea, North Carolina, and Iraq were the major stops along the way.
This is relevant to my life because the loss of control, the distance from home, and the constant pressure—along with the possibility of negative consequences and challenges—helped foster a mental toughness in me that I don’t think I would have developed otherwise.
By the end of my military career, I decided that I wanted to pursue fitness and health, which led me to the Kinesiology degree path.
Throughout this entire time, I continued to expand my fitness knowledge; I never stopped. I value my education, but I believe that experience and exposure complement and enhance it. These are things you can only truly understand by doing.
That is my purpose here. I have spent tens of thousands of hours learning and practicing a variety of fitness methods, concepts, philosophies, and styles. I am here to share my knowledge with anyone who would like to benefit from my help.
