IG: @cottonsense
I grew up in New Jersey and now live in Colorado with my wife and son. I’m a registered nurse by trade and work in trauma ER. I have a background competing in mixed martial arts and powerlifting. A few years ago my brother Tyler and I started doing local amateur strongman competitions for fun. We started having some success at the local level and then progressed to the national level. In 2018 I took first place at Strongman Nationals in the heavyweight class, with Tyler finishing a very close second place. That qualified us to go compete with Strongman Champions League in Finland. Since 2018 we’ve been competing all over the globe withStrongman Champions League (SCL), which is where we got our introduction to TuffWraps.
Where are you currently training?
I train in my garage in Windsor, Colorado
How did your fitness journey start?
I first became interested in strength sports as a kid. My dad had an old school weight set in the barn and would go out there and train regardless of the weather. I remember one of my favorite things to do was go out there with him and try the lifts he was doing. In my teens I took up Taekwondo, got my second degree black belt and competed in mixed martial arts for a few years. After martial arts, my brother Tyler and I got into powerlifting, then amateur strongman. In 2018 we both competed at US Strongman Nationals. I took first place and Tyler was a very close second, which qualified us to go compete in Finland with Strongman Champions League. Since then we have both been competing internationally with SCL, which is how we were introduced to the Tuff Wraps family.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
Favorite Strongman is probably Derek Poundstone. I always admired his insane work ethic, his competitive drive and his down to earth, friendly demeanor.
What is your favorite food?
Sounds boring but I could eat eggs, steak and rice for the rest of my life and not get sick of it.
What is your favorite Tuffwraps product and why?
Toss up between the Villain Stiff Wrist Wraps and the Dual Ply Lifting Straps. I like the Villain Wrist Wraps because they provide the most support for really heavy benching or overhead pressing. And I like the Dual Ply straps because they are extremely durable. During World's Strongest Viking in Norway we had an above the knee Viking Shield deadlift for max weight. Once the weight got over 500kg, the other competitors straps started breaking. Myself and two other competitors went all the way up to 600kg and the Dual Ply straps held strong the whole time.
What is an odd fact about you?
I'm co-director of a non-profit organization providing medical care to rural communities in Haiti. I also play the ukulele, which is an admittedly odd look but lots of fun.
What is your favorite quote?
"The secret to getting ahead is getting started" - Mark Twain
My goals are to continue competing with the SCL and qualify for their World Finals.
