Growing up in a small town, I immersed myself in sports as the backdrop of my childhood. I was the kind of kid who didn’t quite mesh with the school crowd—shy, quiet, but exceptionally talented in sports. Hockey captured my heart initially, but as I grew, my passion shifted towards cycling. I excelled rapidly, and despite riding a modest $200 bike from the 1990s, I secured 4th place at the provincial U17 Time Trial Championships against top competitors. The following year marked a turning point; I won my first significant road race by an astounding seven minutes, averaging 40 km/h solo. My prowess on the bike quickly positioned me as one of Canada’s most promising cycling talents, dominating junior and U17 road races and even competing with professionals on the track.

Unfortunately, my ascending trajectory was halted by a series of concussions and a chronic knee injury that plagued me for four years. This period was marked by a deep depression, as I had pinned all my hopes and dreams on a professional cycling career in Europe. Facing a bleak future, I took up a job as a janitor and found solace and strength in the gym. It became my sanctuary, not just for rebuilding my physical strength and fitness but also for restoring my self-confidence. Over three years, the gym was pivotal in my recovery and rehabilitation.

This experience sparked a new passion within me—I decided to become a strength coach. My goal was to help athletes and everyday people alike overcome and prevent injuries through proper training and recovery protocols. I realized that the knowledge I had gained could have significantly altered the course of my cycling career. But to pursue this new path, I knew I needed to deepen my understanding and expertise.

And so, the next chapter of my life began, fueled by a desire to empower others with the lessons learned from my own story of resilience and transformation.