What certifications/degrees do you have?

• B.S. in both Exercise Science and Sport Studies from Towson University

• NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F), and Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)

• ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C)

• TBMM Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES)

• NeuroKinetic Therapy (NKT) Level 1 Certified

• 500 Hour Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT); 700 Hours Total

• Certified Level 3 Qigong Healing Instructor

• Certified Food-Healing Health Educator

• 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do

• SCW Active Aging Certification 

• Senior Fitness Specialist

• Functional Fitness Specialist

What is a personal fitness goal?

Continue to live a healthy and highly active lifestyle while staying PAIN FREE and MENTALLY WELL

What is your favorite exercise?

Squat, Bridge, Supported Bridge, Legs Up the Wall, Hanging

What are your main motivations for training/teaching?

Other than being a paperboy, being a coach is literally the only job I’ve ever had. I don’t know how to do anything else except teach movement and mindfulness. Leading, serving, and guiding others is my passion and purpose. 

How can you help people RISE?

In order to help others RISE, I make sure to first take care of myself. I lead by example through my own mindset, actions, discipline, and commitment to a healthy lifestyle and self-care. I do my best so I can show up exceptionally for others and ask them without hesitation to do their best.  

What are your hobbies outside of the gym?

Meditation, yoga, qigong, breathwork, martial arts, walking, running, hiking, wandering, being outside, grounding and barefoot conditioning, snowboarding, camping, and backpacking, watching sunrises and sunsets, reading; general nut for anything health, wellness, nutrition, holistic living, mindfulness, recovery, fitness, and performance.

I’m also a Music geek, a frequent concert and festival attendee, and a vinyl collector.

What is your favorite gluttonous meal?

Chicken wings, especially grilled or smoked. Pizza as a close second.

Do you have any hidden talents?

My senior year in college, I wrote a weekly music column and album reviews for the Towerlight, the Towson University school newspaper. 

I presented 2 times at the SCW DC Mania, a national health and fitness conference. I have also had an article published for their monthly newsletter and have been featured on a panel of experts for 2 of their webinars.

I have always been considered a skilled writer and orator. 

Why do you choose to train/teach at RISE?

I love that we are REAL. RISE isn’t the fanciest gym, or the most expensive, or the most flashy; in fact, it’s kind of rugged and raw. But, the knowledge, passion, clientele, and culture here are unmatched, and that’s the exact reason I love it. No gimmicks, just excellence.

What is your greatest fitness achievement?

I qualified for States in Cross Country as both a junior and senior in high school. I was 7th in the region in the 2 mile for outdoor track and missed qualifying for States by 3 places as a senior. I ran a 3:08 marathon and missed a Boston-qualifying time by 3 minutes. I ran a 1:23 half marathon, and have won my age category in several smaller half marathon and 5K events. 

At one point, I could do a set of 30 pull-ups. 

I can play a pistol squat like a MF riot.

My athletic achievements and career are modest at best, and I’ve never really been the best or overly exceptional at any one thing, but I am respectable at and have moderate skill/experience in A LOT of areas surrounding physical culture and performance. 

Describe your personal life:

I live in Downtown Annapolis with my wife, Jessica Kinnahan. I came here to live with her in 2016, as she and her family have ties to the area. We are very close with our families. My father is retired Navy so it is fitting that I ended up here. We love walking around and exploring Annapolis and supporting local. My absolute favorite thing to do is sit by the water. I am a true Marylander and have roots and history all across the state; I love living in its capital.