Since I was a young boy, I have always been involved in sports. I started playing football when I was six years old and participated in Karate to learn self-discipline. My main focus was football until I was around 14 years old.  That’s when I bought my first Flex magazine! It triggered something inside me and I began to seriously take an interest in perfecting my body with diet and exercise.

At the end of my 8th grade school year, I knew I wanted to quit football and pursue bodybuilding.  But knowing that that decision would cause a lot of friction with my family, I stuck with football and worked out in the gym knowing my  ultimate future goal was professional bodybuilding. I’ve always been the type to plan ahead; I knew I wasn’t going anywhere in football – I am 5’9” and was playing middle linebacker – not the best combination.  So I wanted to get a  jumpstart on bodybuilding, yet knew nothing about the sport.  So one step at a time, I studied the sport, focused on taking my body transformation to the next level and stayed focused.   The following football season, during my freshman year in high school, in the midst of the second game, I tore my rotator cuff and had to undergo major surgery. I recovered with hard work and determination and came back the following year. I played until I injured my knee right before the playoffs. I was able to finish the season and we won our 17th State Championship – a great accomplishment! Two weeks later, I turned 17 years old and from that day forward, I’ve been a body builder – bye, bye football!

I didn’t compete in any body building competitions until I was 18 years old. My first competition was quite a humbling experience – I finished dead last in the two teen shows.  Still not detoured from my goal, I took a step back, learned from my mistakes and came back the following year and placed 2nd in the same show! I also placed 4th in the Louisiana State Competition. One week after the Louisiana show, I moved to Houston, TX to begin my career as a personal fitness trainer. I was 19 when I started my employment with 24 Hour Fitness and within a year, I became an independent trainer at Houston Gym. 

During the past two years of competing in the men’s open competitions, I have finished 1st in the Central Texas Cup Heavyweight competition in 2006, and 3rd at the 2007 John Sherman Heavyweight show.  I then placed 2nd at the 2007 Europa Super Show.  I am currently taking a year off to improve my weaknesses and come back even stronger; we will see what the ’08 and’09 seasons brings! Of course, the job never ends— it is a daily routine that is permanently a part of my lifestyle. I have learned that to be winner in sports and in life, we must persevere and stay focused on the ultimate prize – never give up and you will always be a winner!