I wanted to share something personal with you today — the story of how I went from struggling with fitness to becoming a coach who helps others push past their limits. My journey wasn’t always smooth, but every step has shaped the way I approach fitness and coaching today.
Like many, my fitness journey began as a child with sports. Growing up, I was involved in everything local leagues had to offer — soccer, basketball, baseball, and flag football. But it was roller hockey that stuck with me the longest, carrying me through most of my childhood up until I was 14.
The summer before 8th grade, my dad enrolled me in a football camp to help me prepare for high school football. The camp was at a school far from where we lived, and I didn’t know anyone there. I stepped into a weight room for the first time, immediately feeling out of place. I had no clue what I was doing, so I kept to the side of the room, watching others with more experience. I did a few weak push-ups just to look like I was participating, but I never really joined in.
Fast forward a year, and I found myself in my high school’s weight room, still intimidated. For the first 3.5 years of high school, I wasn’t a fan of lifting weights. As a kid who had been teased about being chubby, I carried a lot of insecurity with me, which lingered throughout my teenage years. It wasn’t until I was 18 that I finally started going to the gym because I wanted to — not because it was a requirement.
At first, I was the stereotypical “gym bro” — I only trained my upper body, and would occasionally run to get some “leg work” in. I was powered by caffeine and protein shakes, and for the first time in my life, I was lean. I had visible muscles and even a six-pack. I thought I was “in shape” — until a few humbling experiences proved me wrong.
The Wake-Up Calls: Fitness Isn’t Just About Looking Good
The first humbling moment came when I attempted to hike Piestewa Peak with some friends. Overly confident, I set the pace for the group. Ten minutes in, my back locked up, and I found myself gasping for air, nearly passing out. I convinced myself it was something I ate — there was no way it was my fitness level, right? I ended up waiting at the bottom while my friends finished the hike.
The second wake-up call came when a Navy friend invited me to join a CrossFit style workout at his house. I arrived at 6 a.m. to find him loading a rucksack with sand, preparing for what I quickly realized would be an entirely different type of workout. The routine included sit-ups, push-ups, a run to the park for pull-ups and lunges, and then a run back — repeated several times. I barely made it through one round while my friend breezed through the entire workout with ease.
That was the moment I realized: I wasn’t as “in shape” as I thought. Something had to change.
Embracing the Right Approach to Fitness
Determined to do better, I began researching how to train properly — no more following the latest muscle magazine gimmicks. I began an internship at Foothills Sports Medicine in their FAST (Foothills Acceleration and Sports Training) department. There, I gained invaluable hands-on experience, learning from physical therapists and teaching athletes. The knowledge I gained was game-changing.
I also joined my first CrossFit gym, where I learned to train in new, more holistic ways. The experience pushed me past my old limitations and opened my eyes to what fitness could truly be.
Becoming a Coach: Helping Others Find Their Strength
After leaving Foothills, I obtained my CrossFit Level 1 certification and began coaching full-time. One of the things I love most about group fitness, especially CrossFit, is the opportunity to work with people of all backgrounds and abilities. Though I was an athlete growing up, I wasn’t physically gifted. I struggled with basic movements like pull-ups and running without stopping. This struggle brought me empathy — something that’s shaped my coaching style. I understand what it’s like to feel like you’re not good enough, but also what it’s like to push through and improve.
Coaching isn’t just about helping people lift more weight or get stronger. For me, it’s about helping others develop body awareness — learning how to move safely, efficiently, and with purpose. It’s also about pushing people beyond what they thought possible, whether that’s a first pull-up, completing a tough workout, or overcoming an injury.
A Personal Journey of Recovery and Growth
Over the years, pushing myself physically has led to some injuries. In 2014, I ruptured two discs in my back, which became another learning experience. I visited chiropractors, but true recovery came when I started to take matters into my own hands — researching and implementing recovery protocols. This not only accelerated my recovery but also deepened my understanding of how to help others recover from similar injuries.
Today, I’ve spent over 13 years coaching, teaching others how to move better, overcome injury, and live more active lives. My goal isn’t just to help people lift more weight — it’s to help them build a foundation of strength, mobility, and confidence that extends beyond the gym. Fitness isn’t just about looking good. It’s about feeling good, moving well, and accomplishing things you never thought possible.