My journey began simple; a surfer and lifeguard captain, studying to become an EMT / firefighter. add in one part daily surfing, one part of the perfect relationship, and a heavy dose of an undying passion for skydiving, it was safe to say that I had it all figured out.

that was until sunday, april 11th 2009.

I took my Mother skydiving for her first time. Unfortunately, neither of us could have predicted how that day would turn out. A parachute malfunction, high-speed collision back down to earth, and a medically induced coma would shape the rest of both of our lives. Five days after being admitted to the hospital, I woke up on my twenty-sixth birthday with a grim reality. The compound fractures were so severe that my right leg was nearly amputated. I snapped my femur, broke my upper and lower right arm, shattered both my condyles, fractured my mandible, broke nine teeth, and fractured my skull.

My once agile body was destroyed, but my spirit wouldn't be broken.

Sitting in my wheelchair, mouth wired shut, feeling broken and defeated, I began journaling. ONCE THE FOG CLEARED FROM THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL TOLL THAT REHAB HAD TAKEN ON ME, I FELL VICTIM TO AN OXYCONTIN DEPENDENCY — NOT SOON AFTER, THE LOVE OF MY LIFE ENDED OUR RELATIONSHIP.

yet again, something inside me refused to self-destruct, and after eleven months of physical rehabilitation, I started surfing again. I regained my position as an ocean rescue captain saving lives, and shockingly to some, I began skydiving again.

shortly after, I received a lifesaving valor award along side lifeguard of the year.

Eleven years have passed since I left Florida, and I've been fortunate enough to travel the world doing what I love as a surf coach and lifeguard, crafting my passion for speaking and sharing my experience in overcoming adversity.