It is often said that every trainer's first client is themselves. In high school I was around 150lbs at ~6'8", which means I generally had the appearance of a walking skeleton. Throughout high school I worked with a personal trainer who helped me develop a basic understanding of fitness, helping to kickstart my journey.
In 2016 a family friend showed me around Iceland's legendary strongman scene, including meeting Hafthor Bjornsson, the mythical Magnus Ver Magnusson, and lifting at Jakabol (the den of giants). This was a pivotal event for me that deepened my love for lifting and redefined (in my eyes) what the human body is capable of.
Over the next couple years I started lifting consistently on my own, and began working at Olympic Athletic Club in Ballard. Between 2018 and 2024 I spent a lot of time in the gym, refining my understanding of lifting. I went from ~190lbs to a peak of 294lbs. The mental changes I underwent in that time not only allowed me to find success in the realm of strength and fitness, but also in my personal relationships and hobbies.
Personal training was a logical next step for me, having all the prerequisite knowledge and already being comfortable interacting with others in a professional setting. Becoming a trainer was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Every win that a client gets, whether it's a PR or overcoming a mental hurdle, fills me with an immense sense of pride and satisfaction. I want all of my clients to see me as their largest fan, supporter, and advisor. It is truly a gift in this world to be able to serve others in the way this job allows me to.
In my free time, you can find me lifting, watching anime, reading, and riding my motorcycle.
Hafthor and I in Iceland. He played the Mountain in Game of Thrones and was around 430lbs at the time of this picture.