In spring of 2012, I was introduced to CrossFit Walter Reed where I volunteered as a coach training our wounded service members and their caregivers until I took the Level 1 Certification Course in hopes of coaching full time. I began coaching at CrossFit Rubicon in August 2012 while I continued at CrossFit Walter Reed as Head Coach and Director of Operations.
In August 2013, I returned to school to pursue a degree in Kinesiology as a Pat Tillman Military Scholar. Shortly after completing my first semester, I left government contracting to coach full time. Since beginning to coach CrossFit, I have coached at 9 different gyms in the Washington DC metro area. In July 2016, My wife Rachel and I opened Old Glory Gym with the distinct goal of creating the best and most supportive possible facility and community for my athletes to exceed their personal goals. My personal belief is to give every athlete the tools and facility they need to surprise themselves someday. I want to motivate positive change in every athlete who steps in the door!
I am originally from Scotland and moved to the United States in August 2000 on a full volleyball scholarship to George Mason University. I competed on the Division 1 team that went to the NCAA finals in my senior year. For the past 13 years, I have been teaching P.E. to preschool through middle school children as well as taking on the role of Athletic Director.
In June 2016 I changed careers to focus solely on coaching CrossFit. I began CrossFit in the spring of 2010 and it has benefitted me in so many ways. I’ve gotten stronger, healthier and met a wonderful group of friends. It is constantly challenging me to go outside my comfort zone and it has also given me a competitive outlet after college.
I started my fitness journey in college with traditional Okinawan karate, complemented with weight training, running, and yoga. These practices eventually led to Hardstyle Kettlebell training in 2008, and CrossFit in 2013.
My fascination with how the body moves led to a deep dive in training methodologies, movement patterns, and nutrition. As a coach, my primary goal is to help people striving for health and vitality by developing athleticism and fitness for real life. More than just being strong or fast — it’s about developing mobility along with strength, and sound biomechanics along with conditioning. My holistic approach to fitness also means talking about stress, sleep, and food, recognizing the fact that what we do outside the gym is even more important to fitness and health than what happens in the gym.
I was introduced to CrossFit in 2012 and was instantly addicted. I had been on a journey to reclaim my health since July 2011 and was working out regularly but was bored with the normal gym routine. Realizing I was staring to get lazy, I reached out to a friend who just started CrossFit and went to my first WOD with him. I enjoy the community aspect of the Box, how everyone holds each other accountable, supports each other, and helps each athlete to become healthier and stronger.