My father was my personal trainer, nutritionist, and chiropractor growing up. His love for the gym and lifting weights shaped me into the person I am today, which I'm thankful for. My father had my brothers and I (as children) to do push-ups, pull-ups, and sit-ups every night in exchange for weekly allowance.

I always tried to outdo my older brother. I grew up playing many sports and my dad was often the head coach. He always showed me new exercises to improve my strength, speed, and agility to make me a better athlete.

At age 19, I moved away to college and started lifting weights seriously. I fell in love with the gains and the transformation I experienced. I was amazed at all the muscles I could see when my body fat dropped into the single digits. Bodybuilding is an art, and I look at myself as an artist. My body is a lifetime sculpting project.

Bodybuilding is an addiction. The energy and confidence you're left with after a hard workout is a greater feeling than any drug can ever provide. I love it when I am approached at the gym for tips or advice or even how to use something. I'm very friendly in the gym and I love being a role model for how these people want to look.

Seeing my progress through photos drives me to get better. I love the bodybuilding lifestyle. Eating healthy and giving it 100 percent in the gym every day gives me energy, strength, and confidence to take on any task.