I played basketball, football, and ran track off and on throughout school. After graduating from high school in 2001, I attended college for two years. I worked out here and there in college, but it wasnââ¬â¢t until after college when I decided to seriously weight train. Post college I skipped around to a few different jobs to make ends meet. One thing that had never changed though was my dedication to working out. However, at this point I was no longer the same skinny kid I was in high school. I worked out all the time but had a terrible diet. I went from a slim 160lbs to a border-line chubby 230lbs. Regardless, I absolutely loved fitness, even though I didn't completely live the lifestyle. I had found something I was passionate about! I would go to work, get off, and go straight to the gym. This went on for some years, until one day I woke up and realized that as much time as I was spending in the gym and the amount of passion I had for it, why not make it a career?
In 2010, I became a personal trainer. Despite still not fully living a healthy fitness lifestyle, I took my health/nutrition knowledge to a local YMCA and began training clients shortly thereafter. I provided personal training and instructed fitness classes at the Y for a short time before moving on to manage a fitness facility.
I put my own conditioning and fitness to the test by losing a little bit of weight and playing Semi-Pro football in 2011. I was starting Safety and had serious thoughts of pursuing Pro-Arena ball. Despite my football success, I decided to call it quits due to the danger and time consumption of the sport with my job and personal life.
In the beginning of 2012, I heard about a newer NPC/IFBB category called Menââ¬â¢s Physique and decided to once again challenge myself, only this time I was going to COMPLETELY transform my physique and actually live a healthy lifestyle in the KITCHEN as well. My first competition was June 2012 and I placed 3rd. I got all of the judges' feedback, applied it, and returned to the stage a month later. I then won back-to-back shows. With the two wins, I had become nationally qualified and was able to try for a Pro Card at a national show. I made my national debut at NPC Nationals in Atlanta, GA November 2012 and placed 7th out of 48 in my class with 150 total competitors. I went on to earn my IFBB Pro card at 2013 NPC Team Universe.
The rest is still being written... Stay Tuned!