My Story

Sport has shaped who I am. I have been competing since I was four years old, starting with baseball, football, and basketball, and continuing through high school before eventually finding my way into mixed martial arts in college. I built my life around the pursuit of getting better and pushed relentlessly toward a goal that meant everything to me.

Earning my black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and competing professionally were major milestones, but what mattered more was the process behind them. It was about pushing my limits, testing myself, and pursuing something that truly mattered to me. The biggest fight hasn’t always been against an opponent, it’s been against myself.

As a professional athlete, I know what it feels like to have your body ready but your mind out of sync. I’ve battled fear of failure, pressure to perform, and expectations that pull me out of the present moment. In my sport, you only get a few chances to compete each year, so being “on” when it counts is everything.

Those experiences led me to a deeper question: How do we align physically, mentally, and emotionally to meet the moment? How do we perform with composure, stay present, manage arousal, and reframe our thoughts—so the pursuit becomes less about chasing outcomes and more about becoming who we’re truly capable of being?

I received my Bachelor’s in Kinesiology from the University of Tennessee Knoxville, where I built a strong foundation in movement and human performance. I went on to complete my Master’s in Sport & Performance Psychology, blending the mental with the physical to help others. I am also a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. I’ve spent the past 5 years coaching MMA and currently continue to do so—an experience that not only sharpened my leadership but keeps me grounded in the realities athletes face. Alongside that, I work as a mental performance coach with athletes across a range of sports, using sport psychology principles to help them build the mental skills and self-regulation needed to perform and grow in high-pressure environments.

Why I Do This Work

I do this work because it matters. I’ve lived the highs, the lows, and everything in between. I know what it’s like to chase a goal so intensely it consumes you—and to wrestle with pressure, doubt, and expectation. I’ve also seen how confidence, composure, and resilience can transform the way athletes train, compete, and live. More than anything, I care about helping people become the most capable and authentic version of themselves.

“People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
— Theodore Roosevelt

My Coaching Philosophy

My coaching philosophy is athlete-centered and relationship-driven. I aim to help athletes better understand themselves, what drives them, and how to regulate their thoughts and emotions, believing this is the foundation for both high performance and a fulfilling life. I walk alongside each athlete not just to teach techniques, but to ask better questions, inspire reflection, and support growth. My approach adapts to the individual while drawing from sport psychology to develop core mental skills such as confidence, focus, psychological flexibility, and emotional regulation.