Growing up, running always came naturally to me. I still remember lining up for middle-school cross country meets, proud that I could compete with the older kids. Throughout my youth I poured myself into competitive soccer, and the more I played, the more I realized how much I loved the rhythm of running. That foundation eventually led me to become a kicker for both my high school and college football teams, where I not only excelled as a place kicker, but consistently thrived during the conditioning sessions most people dreaded.
Fast forward to 2020. Collegiate sports had become a distant memory, and like many others, I picked up running leisurely… or so I thought. A friend reached out one day and asked if I’d be willing to run a marathon for charity. I knew nothing about the science of long-distance running at the time, but I agreed. I hadn’t trained properly, and the makeshift marathon that followed humbled me completely.
The next year, my friends and I decided to do it again. This time, I came back determined to do it right. I followed a structured plan, committed fully, and ran 3:19 on a solo 26.2-mile effort along the Hudson River. That experience confirmed something I hadn’t realized before: this was the true beginning of my running journey. I have now lowered that PR by over 30 minutes and hoping to keep going. That journey grew even deeper as I faced personal struggles with drugs and alcohol. Choosing sobriety became the turning point of my life, and running quickly became one of the pillars that helped me rebuild. Through discipline, consistency, and a long-term approach, I began to understand what purposeful training can do for someone not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.
In 2023, I ran the New York City Marathon, earning my first World Marathon Major star. The following year, I lined up in Chicago for my second. Along the way, I’ve trained across a wide range of distances and helped friends, training partners, and runners in my community develop plans, navigate injuries, stay accountable, and chase new goals. Those experiences gave me a deeper appreciation for the process behind successful training from smart progression and recovery to race day preparation and fueling.
What I’ve learned is this…running has the power to change a life. It changed mine. That’s why I’m passionate about
coaching. I understand what it feels like to start from scratch, to rebuild, to face setbacks, and to grow through
commitment and structure. My goal is to support runners of all backgrounds, whether they’re running their first 5K
or their next marathon, with a thoughtful, personalized approach that prioritizes long-term development, sustainable
progress, and a strong foundation.
In addition to my personal running journey, I’ve further strengthened my
coaching foundation by earning my RRCA Level 1 Certification. This certification reflects my commitment to training
principles, athlete safety, and thoughtful program design. It allows me to combine real world experience with proven
coaching methodology. It will ensure every runner I work with receives structured and individualized
guidance.
I’m very grateful for the opportunity to guide athletes on their journey, and I’m excited to help others experience the same transformation, confidence, and fulfillment that running brought to me.
Achievements
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PBs• 5k PR: 17:16 |