Q: Describe yourself in five words or less. And, go!
A: Grateful to live my dream.
Q: Did you choose the coaching life, or did the coaching life choose you? Explain.
A: It found me! I started coaching in the Marine Corps when buddies asked me to show them what this CrossFit thing was all about. We got an on-base CF affiliate setup, and it grew like crazy VERY quickly. Once I had a taste of seeing a Marine face light up after doing something they didn’t think they could do. I was hooked.
After about four years exclusively in the CrossFit world, I started getting many certifications in other areas. I quickly realized that a coach’s methodology (CrossFit or Weightlifting or Running) doesn’t matter nearly as much as building solid relationships with clients.
The key to fitness is consistency. So I went to work on building a place people LOVE to hang out with coaches they LOVE to learn from.
The rest is history.
Q: What inspires and motivates you as a coach?
A: I’ve been fortunate enough to change the trajectory of a few clients’ lives. Watching someone gain self-confidence, self-worth, and self-love is a beautiful thing. My mission is to help my clients believe in themselves, belong to my tribe, and be strong physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Q: What is your favorite movement and CrossFit WOD & why?
A: My favorite CrossFit WOD is Cindy because she was my first! One of my Gunny’s in the Marine Corps had our platoon of 46 Marines do Cindy- a 20-minute workout consisting of pull-ups, push-ups, and air squats. These were hyper-alpha and VERY fit dudes, and all of us were laid out at the end of the workout wondering how the hell air squats had put us down so hard.
That was the start of a LOT of googling and the beginning of the path I still walk to this day.
What advice do you have for someone who is intimidated by group fitness?
Walking into a gym is intimidating, being around new people is scary, participating in the unknown is the worst of all of it. We start every with Personal Training for that very reason! By creating one-on-one, we mitigate most of those issues AND make sure you’re safe to start group classes.
Once you’re in a group class, you will VERY quickly realize you had nothing to worry about.
Q: What were you like in high school?
It was a walking juxtaposition. I was in the national honor society and took AP classes. I was a multi-sport athlete. I was popular. And I was a full-blown drug addict. It was a wild ride.
Q: Are you a hunter or a gatherer? Why?
A: Hunter- I highly doubt anyone is surprised there, lol. I’m a meat-eater, I actively chase the things I desire, and I have respect for everything that nourishes my life.
Q: Favorite band/musician of all time?
A: Jay-Z
Q: Cake or Pie?
A: Cake!
Q: If you were a crayon in an 8-count Crayola Box, what color would you be?
A: Blue
Q: Favorite 90s jam?
A: Pearl Jam anything in the early 90s, Jay-Z anything in the late 90s.
Q: What do you wish you were better at? (This could be anything from organizational skills, to cooking, to running, to small-talk, to thrusters!)
A: Unplugging. I have the classic entrepreneur’s mind, and it’s challenging to switch off.
Q: 2020 was a challenging year. How are you making 2021 better, regardless of the circumstances?
A: My word for this year is ‘Surrender.’ I have white-knuckled my way through life for the past ten years. I committed to letting the universe give me some help this year- And what a difference it has made! This was Loco’s best year by a LONG shot!
Q: Do you have any hidden talents?
A: Backflips
Q: Coffee or Tea?
A: Coffee!
Q: Favorite Book?
A: For Business: How to Win Friends and Influence People. For lifestyle: Atomic Habits. For mental health: Man’s Search for Meaning.
Q: Favorite podcast?
A: Tim Ferris
Q: Favorite travel destination?
A: Fiji
Q: Do you have any interesting or unique hobbies?
A: I go down a LOT of rabbit holes. Currently, I’m learning anything and everything on chakras and meditation. I’m also really digging in on learning to work with clients who have histories of trauma.
Q: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: A Lawyer, which looks pretty inappropriate these days now that I know myself a little better.
Q: Favorite place to eat in Charleston?
A: Brisket from Lewis BBQ. #Hunter
Q: If you have pets, what kind and what are their names?
A: 2 Dogs, Grace and Luna.
Q: Tell us a bit about your partner/family.
A: Emma is the first lady of Loco and my better half. She worked full-time at the gym for the first 2.5 years we were open! She’s an artist (@emacoarts) whose home base is here in Park Circle.
Thanks for taking the time to learn a little more about your coach!
