I went to Slippery Rock University in 2002 where I played water polo and swam for school. While there, I found my passion for fitness and graduated with a teaching degree in Physical Education and Health. I taught PE and coached high school sports from 2008-2023. During those years I continued pursuing my education and experiences in sport and fitness. I continued to play water polo, had a few years committed to CrossFit, did some recreational sports, but eventually found my landing pad in bodybuilding and strength sports in 2016. I went back and forth between bodybuilding and powerlifting competitions for a few years before deciding to put all my energy into competing in powerlifting. Since then I've broken several national records and currently hold the all time world record in the 220 weight class for the masters 1 age group (40-44).