How old are you?
38
Where do you live?
Petaluma, CA
Website
What is your history with sports and athletics?
I grew up playing baseball, but gave it up in high school. I served in the Marine Corps from 2001-2005 and deployed to Iraq twice. Coming home I struggled with PTSD and alcoholism. I got sober in 2012. On vacation in Kona, Hawaii in 2014, I was there at the same time as The IRONMAN World Championship race and was mesmerized. I started racing The IRONMAN 70.3 distance and then the full IRONMAN triathlon. I did so while wearing the names of my Marine brothers who were killed in action during my second deployment and some that were killed after that time. I race to honor their memories and help myself grieve.
What do you enjoy most about being an athlete?
I love both the feeling of moving my body- which reminds me that I’m alive – and the purpose of honoring the fallen. I co-founded The IRONMAN Foundation’s Gold Star Initiative that pairs a veteran with a Gold Star Family (family of a military member killed during service) at an IRONMAN event; The veteran carries a flag in honor of the fallen and presents it to the family at the finish line. This initiative helps me realize that there is hope and healing taking place.
Have you experienced any challenges or obstacles?
Fitting training into my day is a challenge. I have two kids, age 7 and 4. So I have to get up around 4:00am to fit that in so I am available to be a father and husband later in the day. The other challenge has been finding motivation to train through COVID restrictions because they
Has your participation helped you overcome any major life issues?
Yes. See this article: https://people.com/human-
Do you have a favorite race or event?
I love IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70;3 races. My favorite has been The IRONMAN World Champtionship in Kona, Hawaii.
What’s next?
I will be racing Kona again and this time will be carrying the flag in honor of Lance Corporal Nick Anderson. He is the son of my friend Lisa Anderson, who co-founded the Gold Star Initiative with me.
Any fun facts about yourself?
I originally joined the Marine Corps to be in the band, but changed my mind after September 11th and switched to the infantry.
Do you have any advice for someone interested in getting started?
Sign up for something, anything, and train for it. You don’t have to know how to accomplish a goal in order to start.
Any other comments or stories you’d like to share?
Other media stories on me you can reference:
https://transitionsfromwar.