About Me

As a mixed-race man with a profound understanding of the unique challenges faced by BIPOC and marginalized communities, I am particularly attuned to the disconnect that so many of us have from our bodies, minds, and the natural world around us that manifests in the form of stress and chronic disease. 

I grew up just outside of Washington DC, in Prince George's County, Maryland. Despite an active childhood filled with sports and nature, I graduated from college overweight and borderline hypertensive and was given an ultimatum by my doctor to drastically change my lifestyle or else begin a lifelong asthma and blood pressure medicine regimen. It was also around this time that my father suffered a series of strokes, leaving him partially paralyzed and permanently disabled. This was an eye-opening period of my life. 

Here was this strong black ex-marine I had grown up idolizing, who looked outwardly fit and healthy while internally had been ravaged by cardiovascular disease due to a lifetime of poor eating, chronic stress, and inattention to his physical and emotional needs. And here I was, racing into adulthood prioritizing career and material wealth while ignoring physical and mental health, destined to suffer a similar, if not worse, health outcome as my father. Living and experiencing firsthand the impact of societal pressures and cultural norms on health, particularly within the African American community motivated me to split my professional energy and begin working in health and fitness alongside my work in corporate project and program management.  

After more than 20 years in this dual-role, providing personal and group fitness training, as well as sports and health coaching while also learning and applying evidence-based change and process improvement methods, I have a unique perspective on the field of health and wellness that combines my passion for healthy living, movement, and the natural world with my expertise in helping individuals and organizations achieve their unique goals and objectives. 

I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology from the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. I have held various certifications in personal training and group fitness instruction over the years and recently completed training as a Shinrin-Yoku forest therapy guide. I am a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). I also hold Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Scrum Master (CSM) project management credentials.