About Me

Tools you need to flourish at life

I want to empower you to be your best self in all aspects of life.  Managing your brain(and the thoughts within it) is the most important thing you will ever do to create your desired results.

Take control and plan for the future

I will help you realize your goals and provide you with a roadmap to not only reach them but accomplish much more.

Prioritize your time and relationships

Life can be stressful.  I want to give you the advice and tools you need to maximize your personal and professional relationships, and how to give yourself the time you deserve.

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My Story:

It was September 12^th, 2010, and I was preparing for my first ever full Ironman Triathlon.  Grant you I am a certified ironman coach and have successfully coached many athletes through the finish line, but have never really had any desire to complete one of my own.  Think about it, who in the right mind would want to put themselves through a 2.4 mile swim, followed by 112 mile bike ride, then ending the day with a 26.2 mile run. Well on 9/12/10 I did just that. 

Through college I was an Olympic level swimmer, so I fully understand the hard work and dedication required to accomplish challenging goals.  At WVU we were required to swim 6 hours plus per day, in addition to lifting and cross training.  So the required work ethic was well in place.  Like most athletes that decide to take on the challenge of a full ironman, endless hours of training are a pre-requisite.  Since I am a personal trainer and triathlon coach, my workouts usually fell to the end of a long day after assisting many clients in obtaining their goals.   Nonetheless, I was about to attempt a feat generally thought of as un-human with very little training.  I did a few 10-mile runs, swam 7 x 500 meters in the pool 2 weeks prior to the race, and took my bike in for a much needed tune up.  Never did actually train on the bike, but who pays attention to such details.

I knew I was in for a long day, but also knew from my training in college how important it was to be mentally prepared.  I had nothing to lose, and since I had never attempted an ironman I had no baseline reference.  I had a general idea of where I should finish for each segment.   As such, I decided to frame up the day one step at a time.  I didn’t sweat the swim; used it as a warm-up for the rest of the day.  I focused on controlling my breathing and kept my stroke long and smooth.  I got out of the water in little over an hour, then onto the bike.  Was never a huge fan of the bike, but knew if I could power through it, I would be 2/3 of way complete. 

In an effort to mentally manage the long bike ride, I broke the ride up into 10-mile increments.   That worked to a point, but when you hit 50 miles you suddenly realize you have 62 miles to go.  After 6 ½ hours, it was finally time to get off the bike and begin the third and final 26.2 mile leg of this all day event.  I approached the run one mile at a time.  I kept telling myself the same thing I told my clients every day at the gym – “you can do this, you can do anything you put your mind too”.  I followed my own advice and completed the Full Ironman Triathlon in 12 hours 54 min and 11 seconds. 

As I crossed the finish line, I was thinking…… Oh my god, I did it!   I was so proud of my accomplishment, but at the same time was thinking how I would never do this again.  Well that mindset didn’t last long, as in 2013 I did the same race 30 min faster, and I won’t lie I didn’t train for that one either.  

Most of my client and friends think of me as a bit non –human or crazy, and maybe I am, but regardless I knew I had what it took to finish the race.  You must always believe you can do the impossible.  Never sell yourself short, if you really want to accomplish something, put your mind to it and make it happen.  It all starts now!