- Department: Health Science
- University: Ohio University Main Campus
- Location: Athens, Ohio
My story takes place in two locations; 1) Canton Ohio (my hometown) and 2) Athens Ohio (my college and current home). I was born and raised in Canton, OH and loved life growing up with 2 siblings (1 identical twin) and loving parents. We pursued having fun and fitting in with a group over everything else (no matter who the group was). God was an Easter and Christmas thing. Church was initially boring and I was uneducated of the Bible (mainly due to my own lack of interest). However I felt a strong positive protection over my life. Everything always seemed to work out okay for me despite my parents divorcing, lack of success as a cross country runner (never ran varsity), and lack of God in my life. But I did start to wonder about my purpose and who God was. Then began college at Ohio University (at that time #1 party school in the U.S.). OU became my new favorite place on Earth. Green trees, a flowing river, bricks, great education, and a positive energy around everything! I worked hard in the classroom, was lucky enough to join the cross country team, and made genuine friends. Many of these friends were involved in a group called CRU, which was the campus Christian ministry. These friends were positive, uplifting, and encouraged me to pursue my faith more. I remember attending a large group worship session and experiencing a sense of belonging and love in my heart. They talked a lot about Jesus forgiving us for our sins and being in a relationship with God. It was then that I started reading the Bible seriously and learning more about who Jesus was as well as who I was. I learned that although I lived what many would consider to be a good and clean life, I still was considered a sinner and not in good standing with God. But then found out that Jesus was God in the form of a man and was sent by God to die for my sins and provide a way for me to be with God. This was great news for me! But it took a season ending injury my sophomore year to truly embrace that I no longer wanted to be in control of my life, but God could have 100% of my life. This began to change everything as I went from putting my worth and value in running and school work to being a beloved child of God. I went to less bars and sought more community time with fellow Christ followers. I found peace in difficult situations and desired to learn more. I joined Bible studies with my team, pursued a master's degree in exercise physiology/how to become a professor, and became a leader for Christ. All this leading to a God timed new job at my alma mater Ohio University. This was my dream job to stay in Athens Ohio, teach human anatomy, and help coach the cross country teams. Each year I learned more about who Jesus is and how to better reflect Christ in how I teach, coach, and live life. I recently married my amazing wife Lyndsey who is a local pastor and loves God with all her heart. We now aim to lead as a Christ focused couple in the Athens community. I am not sure what the future holds, but I know who holds my future. God has great things and I am excited to live into those things. This has been my story (thus far)!
Favorite Quote
1 Thes 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, an be thankful in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
Friends describe me
Enjoyable, fun, calm, entertaining, funny, motivating, sensible, hard working, grace filled
My hobbies
Exercise of any kind (running, biking, rowing, lifting, etc.), making youtube videos for anatomy lab, coaching, volunteering, reading, spending time with my wife
Fantasy dinner guests
Kevin James (comedian)
Best advice I ever received
Don't ever give up your work ethic
My undergrad alma mater
Ohio University
My worst subject in school
Chemistry
In college I drove
A bicycle
If I weren't a professor, I would
Coaching Full Time
Favorite books
The Perfect Mile, any leadership books
Favorite movies
Sherlock Holmes, anything with Kevin James,
Favorite city
Athens Ohio
Favorite coffee
Don't drink coffee but love sugary cappuccinos
Nobody knows I
Love Hallmark movies especially around Christmas
My latest accomplishment
I most recently surpassed 1.5k subscribers on youtube (my goal is 1million by the end of my teaching career!)
Current Research
No current research but have researched injury prevention, cross training for runners, and how to maximize your athletic performance