I started my athletic journey as a C-team third-stringer at one of the most competitive middle schools in Texas. I wasn’t the strongest or the most naturally gifted, but I had a deep desire to grow. I showed up early, stayed late, and worked daily on my skills—often with little visible progress. Along the way, I trained with several coaches, including one who had a major impact on me: former pro athlete Drew Lasker. He invested an entire summer into teaching me the fundamentals of finishing, footwork, and creating my own shot. For a time, those lessons helped me stay on rosters and stay competitive.

But when my family moved to India, everything changed. Basketball wasn’t a major sport, and without access to coaching, my development stalled. After returning to the U.S., I was cut from three different high school teams. Despite spending hours each day working on ball handling, shooting, and conditioning, I struggled to translate those skills into effective game play. That season of discouragement forced me to rethink my goals. After eight years of pursuing basketball, I transitioned to a completely different sport at the very last moment—track and field.

During my senior year, I raced the 800m only three times before attempting to walk on at Southwest Baptist University. There, I trained beside a 1:49 half-miler who narrowly missed qualifying for nationals. That experience taught me what true intentional training looks like—how to push myself, how to listen to my body, and how to balance high-effort days with lighter ones for long-term growth.

I later transferred to John Brown University, where I continued to learn the importance of controlled training loads. Three all-out workouts each week pushed me past my limits and eventually led to injury. I spent months sidelined before returning to compete and winning or PR’ing in every individual event I raced that outdoor season. But injuries returned—achilles inflammation, posterior chain issues, setbacks in both summer and fall training. Today, I’m actively rehabbing with a physical therapist and rebuilding with purposeful patience.

Across all of these highs and lows, one truth has remained steady: God is faithful. My journey hasn’t been straightforward, but it has shaped the way I coach. I understand what it feels like to struggle, to work hard without immediate results, and to bounce back from injury. I also understand the value of disciplined training, strong fundamentals, and developing athletes the right way—not just the fast way.

At Fundamental Sports, my goal is to coach middle-school basketball players and high-/long-jump athletes in a way that honors God, teaches discipline, and emphasizes healthy, sustainable growth. I believe every athlete deserves a coach who cares about their long-term development—not only in sports, but in character, work ethic, and faith.

A verse that has guided me through every challenge is:

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”