the FUN stuff!

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I have a deep passion for Jiu Jitsu. What draws me to it is the way it teaches patience, humility, and growth through consistent effort. On the mat, I don't think about belts or outcomes; I focus on the position I'm in and what needs to happen next.

Jiu Jitsu has taught me that meaningful progress rarely comes from dramatic breakthroughs. More often, it comes from showing up, staying present, learning from mistakes, and making small improvements over time. The lessons I've learned on the mat have influenced the way I approach challenges in my professional life as well: stay calm, assess the situation, solve the problem in front of you, and keep moving forward.

As a longtime spin enthusiast, I created Pedal 4 the Planet, a community-focused fundraising initiative that combines fitness, environmental awareness, and charitable giving.

What began as an idea has grown into a series of charity spin events, with the first two taking place in Dallas during Earth Day celebrations and a recent event held in Los Angeles. My goal is to continue expanding the program with future events in Arizona and a larger outdoor event in Dallas.

One of the things I enjoy most is bringing people together around a shared purpose. Pedal 4 the Planet allows me to combine my passion for fitness with my desire to make a positive impact, while creating experiences that are both meaningful and fun for the people involved. 

I have always been passionate about charity, competition, cooking, and chile peppers. Around 2010, those interests led me to join the International Chili Society, where I quickly discovered a competitive community that combined all four.

What started as a hobby soon became a serious pursuit. Over the years, I competed in events across the country and was fortunate to earn several championships and awards, including 2nd Place in the World for People's Choice Chili, California State Champion in People's Choice, and Maine State Champion for Salsa.

Beyond the trophies, competitive chili cooking taught me the value of preparation, creativity, continuous improvement, and performing under pressure. It also gave me the opportunity to meet incredible people, support charitable causes, and share my love of cooking with others.

Like many of my interests, it began with curiosity and grew into a passion that pushed me to learn, compete, and constantly improve.

Over the years, I've participated in a variety of obstacle course races and endurance events. I am currently training for a Spartan Race at Anaheim Stadium this August, with a Tough Mudder and several other events planned throughout the year.

What draws me to obstacle racing is the challenge. Every course presents a series of physical and mental obstacles that require perseverance, adaptability, and the willingness to keep moving forward even when things get difficult. Each event is a reminder that we are often capable of much more than we initially believe.

As much as I enjoy the personal challenge, what I enjoy even more is helping others overcome their own obstacles. There is something incredibly rewarding about encouraging someone through a difficult moment and watching their confidence grow as they accomplish something they once thought was beyond their reach.

Whether in a race, at work, or in life, I believe growth often happens just beyond the obstacles we're willing to face.

At the end of the day, this is what it's all about for me.

I genuinely enjoy being around people, helping them recognize their value, encouraging them through challenges, and making them laugh along the way. Whether it's with family, friends, coworkers, or complete strangers, I believe everyone benefits from feeling seen, appreciated, and supported.

I've learned that success, titles, and accomplishments are meaningful, but they are rarely the things we remember most. The relationships we build, the people we help, and the impact we have on one another are what truly last.

One of life's greatest lessons is that kindness has a way of coming full circle. When you invest in people, support them, and care about their success, that positivity often finds its way back to you. In the end, friends, family, and meaningful relationships are what matter most.

Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My father was a touring musician, so I grew up surrounded by music and developed a love for it at an early age.

I originally started as a guitar player, but the first time I picked up a bass guitar, that was the end of that. I've been playing bass in various bands since around 1990 and have had the opportunity to perform with a wide range of musicians and musical styles over the years.

While I don't play as often or as intensely as I once did, music remains an important part of who I am. Like many things in life, there never seems to be enough time to pursue every passion as deeply as we'd like, but I still enjoy playing whenever I can.

Music has taught me many lessons over the years—listening, collaboration, discipline, and the importance of finding your role within a group. Whether in a band, a workplace, or a community, great things happen when people work together toward a common goal.