I wasn't always a runner, and at times I'm still not convinced that I am. From a very early age athletics and fitness have always been a prominent feature in my life. I spent many evenings playing catch with my dad, and every weekend was filled with baseball, football or basketball. 

       Somewhere around age 15, I picked up a soccer ball and immediately fell in love. I'd go on to play in college and was lucky enough to play in a competitive post-collegiate setting. However, it was in college that a seed was planted in my head regarding distance running. I didn't realize that a few years down the road, that seed would grow into fruition.
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       I have always struggled with anxiety (and subsequent depression) and ignored it, because I was afraid to talk about it. However, at 21 years old I was on a collision course and the inevitable happened; my world came crashing down. Panic attacks, endless crying, extreme phobias and hopelessness ensued. I dropped out of school and quit my job. I relegated myself to my bedroom. I wouldn't eat for periods of 24 hours or more. I was embarrassed, I lived in fear and I didn't know where to turn. 
   
        I wanted to change, and luckily I was able to meet my therapist Jim and he taught me several valuable skills that helped me cope with my anxiety. Meanwhile, my relationship with soccer was becoming increasingly destructive. I morphed into a viscous person when I got on the pitch, and I didn't like that person I had become. I was a huge fan of distance running and knew and followed several professional runners. I was a student of the sport, but other than running for general fun and enjoyment occasionally, I wasn't an active participant. I love being outside and in nature, so it made perfect sense. I decided I was going to put everything I had into distance running. I utilized every resource I had access to, and it has been a whirlwind, but it's turned into such an amazing thing for me. I used running to manage my anxiety, and it's improved my life in so many ways. I still am ferociously competitive, and it's unlikely that it will change, but running has provided me the ability to be competitive and push myself. 

​        Big things are on the horizon for me in regards to running, and I'm so grateful that running and fitness have given me a platform to help and inspire others as well as speak about anxiety and mental health in an effort to destroy the stigma around it and raise awareness. Whether you struggle with anxiety, depression, other mental health disorders or you want to improve your fitness, your health or your confidence - you are not alone and we're going to win the battle.

Other ventures

Related  News

I'm actively involved in other organizations and ventures and periodically I will post information here on my website. 

I will link relevant news articles, stories and studies in this section moving forward.

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