I am a passionate Certified Life Coach, Fitness Coach, Track and Field Coach, and Running Coach. I would love to partner with you to create a plan to reach your full potential by leading a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

 

My life has been pretty amazing! I have taken bumps and bruises, and learned so many valuable lessons from so many experiences and people. My story began as the youngest of four children, from a fatherless home in inner-city East Nashville.  I was quickly exposed to the obstacles that present themselves in impoverished communities--drugs, violence, gangs, etc. I was one of the lucky ones though! My mother protected me by keeping me engaged in school, sports, and camps. As a result, I was able to navigate the challenges and pitfalls present on the blocks from South 5th to South 8th Street. From an early age, my mother had the wherewithal to connect me with mentors, who would pour a wealth of knowledge and motivation into my little heart and spirit, on top of the love and protection that she provided. I didn't always rise to the occasion! I was held back in the 6th grade, after failing several classes, which was just the eye-opener I needed to light a fire in my life that has yet to be extinguished. That second year of 6th grade showed me that my destiny was in my hands, and that it would be up to me to chart a course that would lead to success, or continue down a road that would lead to nowhere. It was at that point that I began to recognize the urgency of getting a quality education in pursuit of a fruitful existence.  As a result, I went from being a failing student to a student who would enter the 7th grade in the Honors Program.

 

As a first generation college student, I attended Middle Tennessee State University, where I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in History. But I desired more. I wanted to prove to myself and model for my future family that doing hard things and not giving up net positive outcomes. I continued to challenge myself by earning a Master of Education degree and an Education Specialist degree. In 2004, at the age of 30, I earned my Doctor of Education degree from Tennessee State University. 

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I began teaching and athletic coaching after completing by undergraduate studies. I spent 8 years as a high school teacher, 16 years as a school administrator, and over 20 years as an athletic coach. I have also served on the Board of Directors of several non-profits and social organizations. Over the years, I have mentored people with a range of career interests, aspiring educational leaders, and seasoned professionals.

 

In 2012, my life changed forever when I lost my older brother and my brother-in-law to suicide in totally unrelated events. These events, and similar incidences among students during my career, caused me to recognize more directly the importance of finding the wealth of worth and purpose in life. They caused me to value total health more intentionally, and further stoked the fire in me to help others through life and fitness coaching. Volunteering my time and talents to organizations that focus on mental and physical health is a top priority for me. I actively volunteer and fundraise for several organizations, including The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, The Jason Foundation, The American Cancer Society, and others.

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My first love has always been running--it has been one of the vehicles that provide balance in my life. As a kid, I loved to run and watch running events on TV. I remember being blown away at watching athletes like FloJo and Carl Lewis compete. I competed in Track and Cross Country in Middle and High School. Naturally, when I became a teacher, I began coaching Track, and later XC. My love for running and coaching has carried on into my adult life. I have been a successful coach for over 25 years now. I have trained athletes of all ages, to develop both their physical and mental skills. In 2015, I founded ROK Running, a Christian-based, youth running program. In 2020, ROK Fitness was established, which offers fitness training for all ages, as well as life coaching. I still run and compete! I have competed in Obstacle Course Races, Trail Races, and Road Races of varying distances. One of my current goals is to complete the Six World Major Marathons.

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In summer of 2022, after being fortunate to live a life free of health issues, I was diagnosed with diabetes. Rather than being crushed by the weight of this news, I began researching and making the necessary life changes to effectively go to war with this disease. As a result, I am feeling healthier, running faster, and eating healthier than I ever have (even qualifying for the Boston Marathon). Diabetes has taught me that God has an amazing way of tweaking our lives for His good.

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My wife and I have two amazing sons, and I also have two wonderful daughters. I have long realized the successes of my life, how I got here, and how to help others achieve the goals they see for themselves. I believe we all have the opportunity to live a life marked by good health, balance, passion, and purpose. Starting where you are, let's work together to realize the awesome in your life. 

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