I started to become familiar w/ weight training at about 15 years old in Daytona Beach, FL. There was a hardcore gym (East Coast Gym) down the street from where I used to work at so I'd go train when I was done. Thought I was cool wearing the old school rag tops when I was training (Lol!) but I couldn't even bench 135lbs! It wasn't until joining the Marine Corps though that my life drastically changed with regard to health and fitness. I deployed to Okinawa in 1999 and because there wasn't much to do on my free time I worked out religiously and read fitness magazines. There was a supplement store on the gym at Camp Schwab so I finally got on my first supplement routine: protein, creatine monohydrate, multi-vitamins and glutamine. After quite a few months of this regimented schedule I managed to put on some quality muscle. Once I returned from my deployment, I would spend a lot of my spare time at the Vitamin Shoppe reading articles, researching supplements and comparing products. In 2001, I trained with another fellow Marine to compete. Even though I did not end up competing that year due to the unexpected events of September 11th, the learning process of competition prep was excellent. He and I motivated each other through the tough times especially when you're depleted and have no energy. I promised myself that I would eventually do a competition but I'd have to focus on putting more quality muscle on my tall frame. Being 6'3" is tough in the bodybuilding arena.

I thrive off of others telling me I can't do something & bodybuilding has been the biggest example of that. Being so skinny for such a long time, people never could have imagined me being successful in this profession but that just goes to the lack of knowledge many people have about the human body & what you can do w/ it when you give it what it needs. Since I fell in love w/ bodybuilding, there's been no turning back. Overcoming so many obstacles & so much adversity in my life, bodybuilding has kept me on track & given me something to focus on. Despite setbacks both personally from poor personal decisions I've made in the past & b/c of injuries, the Marine Corps & Iraq, I've always had something to look forward to. Bodybuilding is my "true love" so-to-speak. It's been a constant motivator in my life and has been the greatest outlet I've ever had. As a result, I've been "bitten by the bug" and have thoroughly enjoyed competing. Next year I'll be stepping on stage at the Jr USA's, just under 3 years being back from Iraq.