I am a passionate Certified Life Coach, Certified Fitness Coach, Certified Track and Field Coach, veteran educational leader, and Follower of Jesus. 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 amazing! I have taken bumps and bruises, and learned so 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 and establishing a fruitful existence.  In fact, in that one year, 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 we could achieve unlimited ceilings. I continued to challenge those perceived ceilings 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 of coaching Track and Cross Country. I have also served on the Board of Directors of several non-profits. 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 for helping others through life and fitness coaching. I retired from education in 2022 to focus more on those other passions. I have since volunteered my time and talents to organizations that focus on mental and physical health, including The Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, The Jason Foundation, 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 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 running 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! You will often find me competing in obstacle course races, road races, and trail races all over the United States.  

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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 wit 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 balance, passion, and purpose. Starting where you are, let's work together to realize the awesome in your life. 

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