I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and am currently residing in the Northwest Indiana area. I am married to my best friend Rachel, and have an extensive resume as a Team Wilson prep coach, online content writer, university limited term lecturer, exercise specialist, wellness administrator, fitness center manager, strength and conditioning coach, powerlifter, IFPA professional bodybuilder, and I am a sponsored athlete through Nutrishop Schererville and an Olympus Labs affiliate. I have a strong passion for the fitness and health lifestyle and bring my own personal experiences and acquired knowledge to help deliver individualized consultations in both training and nutrition to help my clients attain their own fitness and health goals in the most efficient and healthy way possible.

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My Journey

I grew up as the youngest of 5 children in a blue collar family from Chicago. My brothers and sisters and I are first generation citizens in our family. We are also first generation to go to college in our family, thus my mother and father sacrificed much to make sure that we worked extremely hard to come out ahead in life and to succeed. My story in bodybuilding is not much unlike many others. As a youth I was overweight, not due to a sedentary lifestyle but more so related to my individual diet. My parents, my mother in particular, always ensured we had nutritious foods and healthy choices around our home, so I guess you could say I was a “clean eater” the majority of my life; I simply partook in eating an excess of these foods. My excessive weight gain compounded with my worrisome nature caused me to develop hypertension as a youth and be placed on hypertensive medications. My brother showed extreme concern for me and encouraged me to begin lifting with him. All throughout my youth I can remember trying to emulate my oldest brother who was very much so into fitness and bodybuilding. I remember trying to match him on weight and reps every time we would work out. Around the age of 12 my parents purchased me a home Weider gym and Weider weight bench. Armed with about 315lbs in free weight plates, and with a small flimsy selectorized machine and some adjustable standard plate loaded dumbbells, I was on my way. I watched Pumping Iron and purchased Muscle and Fitness, Ironmag, Muscular Development and Flex Magazine along with various other text books trying to assimilate as much of the culture as possible. I trained in my personal gym until I entered my first teen bodybuilding show in which I won the mens open division as teen.

 

Fast forward to now and I am utilizing my extensive knowledge, education and personal experience in fitness to help individuals from all walks of life . I am certified through both the American College of Sports Medicine(ACSM) and National Academy of Sports Medicine(NASM). I also have several other certifications and my bachelors degree in Exercise Science and am currently completing my graduate studies in Sports Nutrition.  I am employed as the Recreation and Wellness Administrator and Limited Term Lecturer at Purdue University Northwest. I am also an IFPA natural professional bodybuilder and Nationally qualified competitive powerlifter. I had the distinct honor of working with one of the best prep coaches in the industry, Cliff Wilson, back in 2012 when I won my pro card. In 2015 I was brought on as an official Team Wilson Contest Prep Coach. Many of my methodologies will be very similar to Cliff’s as I have been directly learning and training under him. I am a Team Northwest Indiana Nutrishop sponsored athlete and a affiliate with Olympus Labs and am also an online content writer. I have a strong passion for educating and helping people to reach their goals. If you have any further questions about me please let me know. I work with a variety of clients in bodybuilding, fitness, figure, physique, crossfit, powerlifting, general population and also provide sports specific training with athletes of various sports.

 

Credentials and Certifications :

Bachelors of Science in Fitness Management from Purdue University - August 2011 

Masters of Applied Exercise: Sports Nutrition Concentration from Concordia University Chicago - August 2019 4.0 GPA

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American College of Sports Medicine - Certified Personal Trainer

National Academy of Sports Medicine - Performance Enhancement Specialist

National Academy of Sports Medicine - Corrective Exercise Specialist

National Academy of Sports Medicine - Fitness and Nutrition Specialist

National Academy of Sports Medicine - Behavioral Change Specialist

National Academy of Sports Medicine - Weight Loss Specialist

Healthways - Silver Sneakers Fitness Instructor - Cardio Circuit Instructor and Muscular Strength and Range of Motion Instructor

Total Body Resistance Exercise (TRX) Qualified Instructor

CPR/AED Certification - American Heart Association

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