How old are you?
40
Where do you live?
Nashville, TN
Website
What is your history with sports and athletics?
I grew up playing team sports, no endurance sports until I was 25. I was going through a divorce and my best friend realized how heavy and unhealthy he had become. He signed up for a marathon and I laughed and told him if you’re running a marathon I’ll run it with you. He called my bluff and in 2006 we ran the Twin Cities Marathon in Minneapolis. I was hooked. Several marathons and triathlons since then, including a half ironman.
What do you enjoy most about being an athlete?
Setting goals that are seemingly impossible and crushing them, there’s no better feeling! Also, when I’m running a lot or exercising a lot in general I feel like I can eat way more food and I love food lol.
Have you experienced any challenges or obstacles?
I have been lucky to not suffer any serious injuries, a stress fracture in my foot has been my worst. My wife began fighting cancer in 2018 right after I ran my first 50k and started training for a 50 miler. She fought fearlessly for almost 2 years and lost her battle in January, 2020. During that 2 years I didn’t workout at all, then I came back strong in 2020, more motivated than ever because it’s what she would have wanted me to be doing, for me and for our 2 little girls.
What is your “why?”
My biggest driving factor is mental health. I have a family history of anxiety, alcoholism, e.t.c… Working out and accomplishing goals regularly keeps me far away from those diseases and keeps me motivated in itself. The physical condition is a happy side effect for me. Long runs or bike rides really reset my mind, help me solve problems, increase creative thinking and simply make me feel good, motivated, unstoppable.
What’s next?
Because of Covid these plans have been pushed back, but in 2021 I want to run another marathon and a full ironman.
Any fun facts about yourself?
I was once a professional bowler and still have aspirations of winning a national title on tv.
Do you have any advice for someone interested in getting started?
Just start. 1 pushup is better than 0 and makes tomorrow’s 1 pushup easier. Same thing with walking 1 mile. People have a tendency to focus on the end goal, which feels so far away and so difficult to reach, it can be overwhelming. Focus on that 1 pushup, that 1 mile, that’s your goal. You won’t ever be better tomorrow without taking that tiny step today. It’s good to set long term goals, but focus on the short term in order to accomplish the long term.