The Competitor

I grew up in Washington State, primarily in Pierce and King Counties, in a family where hard work, competition, and personal development were deeply valued. My father was a Golden Gloves boxer, and I was introduced to martial arts at a young age through Taekwondo. I competed in more than 30 tournaments and became a youth national champion. I also grew up playing contact sports, and by high school I had begun training MMA specifically. What started as an interest quickly became a lifelong pursuit.

Since then, I’ve built my life around competition and continuous development. Including amateur and professional competition, exhibitions, and other opportunities to compete, I’ve made the walk to a cage or ring approximately 25 times. I hold a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and currently have a 6–3 professional MMA record. Competition has taught me that performance isn’t just about physical ability—it requires discipline, preparation, composure, adaptability, and the willingness to continually confront your weaknesses.

The Coach

My development as a fighter has been shaped by some of the most accomplished coaches and training environments in combat sports. I had the opportunity to coach youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at AMC Kickboxing & Pankration under Matt Hume, gaining experience not only as an athlete but as someone responsible for helping young people develop. I also spent five years training and competing alongside UFC fighters at Fortis MMA under Sayif Saud, one of the most respected MMA coaches in the sport.

I’ve continued to seek out coaches and specialists who are better than me in specific areas. I’ve had the opportunity to receive one-on-one wrestling instruction from Kirk White, a three-time All-American and NCAA Division I National Champion, as well as Jake Swartz, an NCAA Division I All-American and coach on Notre Dame College’s NCAA Division II National Championship staff. Seeking out great coaches has been a constant throughout my development, and that same commitment to learning is something I bring to the people I coach.

Beyond the Cage

My experience extends well beyond martial arts. I’ve worked in residential and commercial real estate and lending, giving me experience in business, communication, negotiation, problem-solving, and building relationships with people from very different backgrounds. Those experiences taught me lessons that competition alone couldn’t—how to operate professionally, take responsibility for outcomes, communicate effectively, and navigate challenges when there isn’t a clear path forward.

I’m also a family man, and I come from a loving family that has played a major role in shaping who I am. While competition has been an important part of my life, it isn’t the entirety of it. The relationships I’ve built, the businesses I’ve worked in, the people I’ve learned from, and the challenges I’ve faced outside of competition have all shaped the way I approach coaching and personal development.

The Philosophy

At the center of everything I do is a passion for coaching, competition, and personal development. I believe that excellence isn’t a destination—it’s a standard you continually pursue. I’m constantly looking for ways to improve physically, mentally, professionally, and personally, and I bring that same growth mindset to the people I coach.

Combat sports have taught me that becoming better requires more than talent. It requires discipline, accountability, deliberate practice, resilience, and the willingness to step into situations that challenge you. I use those standards and performance principles to help people become better—whether they’re preparing for a fight or preparing for more out of themselves. My goal as a coach is not simply to make someone better at a particular skill, but to help them become more capable, confident, disciplined, and resilient in whatever arena they choose to pursue.