I first learned the meaning of “obese” from my pediatrician. He told me that if I kept gaining weight, I could die. My classmates and friends had already let me know that I was “fat”, but I didn’t know it could kill me. I was 12. I did not know anything about diet or exercise, but I did know that I wanted to change, and I definitely didn’t want to die.
Residential internet usage was in its infancy. There was no option to search the internet for diet tips. There was no YouTube for instructional videos. My first diet was SlimFast. My first training programs were VHS fitness tapes like Buns of Steel and Seven Minute Abs. I also learned to love Tae Bo with Billy Blanks! I used my grandfather’s plastic, sand-filled weights to do biceps curls, upright rows, and floor presses. I do not know how or where I learned those movements. After seeing my commitment and enthusiasm for exercise, my mom bought me a membership to Bally Total Fitness.
The rest is history.
Certified Personal Trainer with Bally Total Fitness – 2005
University of Pennsylvania Graduate – 2009
Training Director of Bally Total Fitness (Aramingo & KoP) – 2009
Training Director of Optimal Sport Newtown – 2010
(NSCA) Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) – 2012
Mr. Natural Philadelphia & NJ Natural Bodybuilding Champion – 2014
3x Urinalysis tested USA Powerlifting competitor – 2015
President & Head Coach USAPL team Optimal Performance – 2015
General Manager of Optimal Sport Newtown – 2015
Owner of Fit Pro Coaching – 2017
Chief Operating Officer Optimal Sport Health Clubs – 2020
In my many years as a trainer and manager of training departments, I have worked directly with thousands of personal training clients and gym members.
I pride myself in my expertise in working with the body, but also in working with people. There’s an important distinction between those two skill sets that many coaches and clients undervalue.
As your coach, you can be confident that I am an expert in this space, but you are the expert on you. Together, we will make daily improvements toward better health, fitness, physique, and performance.