biography
Born in Iowa City, Iowa, I was heavily involved in sports as early as I can remember.  Physical competition was always something I was drawn to, but I always was drawn to muscle and muscular physiques.  Some of the early motivations I had growing up that helped propel me into admiring muscle and muscular physiques included my favorite cartoons like He-Man, X-Men, Superman.   Plus, I was a huge fan of ol' Lou and the Incredible Hulk and Sly Stallone in Rocky, especially Rocky IV where he was simply peeled!

I did not officially start training until after I graduated in high school and started college.  This is where I met some great mentors and even greater friends.  Not only were these individuals overflowing with knowledge pertaining to bodybuilding and training, but also life itself.  All of them either preparing to compete or competed at one time.  These guys were all about the basics, old school mentality and definitely not flashy in the least.  Their was no secret training, secret supplementation, or secret dieting techniques; just good old fashioned iron therapy and low carbohydrate dieting.

I started training seriously in 1999 and competed in my first bodybuilding show in 2000.  I won my weight class and that is where the addiction began.  I continued to compete on and off taking time off from competing to make gains, rest my body, and to compete when I was mentally, financially, and physically capable to do so.  Though I never took much time away from training.  To date I have only spent a total of two weeks of consecutive days away from the gym since 1999.  For me the bodybuilding is not just about competition, for me it is more of an escape - my refuge.  The gym is where I can take my stress out, forget about my worries, and what I like to call my "me time".  Bodybuilding has been a great partner for me.  I have met many great people along the way that have enriched my life.  It has also helped me progress in other areas of my life and has encouraged me to always keep driving for more and stay disciplined.  What I have learned from bodybuilding is simple - bodybuilding isn't easy.  It is one of the best challengers I have ever had, myself.  I like competing with myself everyday in the gym.  I realize that it takes a great deal of dedication, self-suffering, commitment, time, discipline, and patience.  But like I said, I am addicted bodybuilding, it is my escape, it is my little world where I can look forward to maintaining my consistency in the gym and success in future competitions.