Biography

Growing up in Nebraska I always had a lot of open ground to explore. My family managed the local airports and our home was normally on the airport grounds. This gave me a playground that promoted lots of running, jumping, and biking. Those hours of unorganized play naturally lead me into the challenge of organized sports.

My first dedication to athletics was in the martial arts. Through grade school and junior high my focus was on obtaining a black belt. By the time I earned my first degree black belt in taekwondo I was entering high school and scholastic sports started becoming a bigger focus of my time. Basketball was my love through high school, and growing into a 5’7" frame made the game a better challenge. I also played football, ran cross country and track each for two years.

Entering the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, I felt my days in sports were over. Without goals and the structure of organized sports I didn’t see the joy in training. Compounded with the adjustments of college, I developed habits of an inactive person. This lead to weight gain, image issues, and some health complications.

Over the summer I moved home (now my family was living in Houston, TX) and began running again. I started by running 3 miles a day on a treadmill and built up from there. I discovered that I loved to run. During Christmas break of my sophomore year I decided to write goals for my new sport. On January 1st, 1999 I decided I would tackle the marathon. I ran two marathons in 1999 and learned a lot about the world of endurance events. I also learned that my body needed a break from running, so I decided to learn to swim. (At this point I couldn’t swim across the pool using an American crawl stoke.)

My passion for triathlon and multi-sport was born out of the combination of all three disciplines, swimming, cycling, and running. The local triathletes, my education in exercise science, and the work of two coaches turned endurance events and fitness into my love.

I enjoy sharing my passion with other athletes. I enjoy the competition we share creating the unique culture of multi-sport. I also enjoy helping others reach goals that they never thought possible. My professional goal is to help others use fitness not as an end itself, but to use it as a means to endless health.