I started lifting with a friend my sophomore year in college. I had been pretty outdoorsy in high school, so I was fairly strong and that made lifting pretty fun. It was still mostly a social thing for me, so when my lifting buddy transferred schools, my workout schedule slowly shifted to nothing. Over the next few years, I became friends with more and more serious lifters. I took some classes on form and found a great lifting partner just before moving. I had a lot going on when I moved: I was working full-time, writing my master's thesis, and trying to squeeze in time with my wife and our daughter while getting settled in our first home. In December, 2012 my thesis was approved and I was finally done with my schooling. The day after I passed my thesis defense, I went to the gym and bought a membership. I have been consistently hitting the gym ever since.

I think everyone has certain activities that they love doing and that they feel they really excel at doing. For me, lifting is the most enjoyable sport I have found. Don't get me wrong, I love a great game of pick-up soccer when I get the chance, but as a dad who is strapped for family time as it is, lifting is the only sport I love enough to wake up extra early for every morning. I love to challenge myself every day and I love the way I feel throughout the day after I've lifted.