The Destroyer (MTB Coach)

In 2007 I was morbidly obese weighing in near to 500lbs. I truly didnt know because I was not able to find a scale to weigh me. There was a major event or AHA moment that made me realize to myself I am better than this! I can live a better life! So January 2007 I made a CHOICE to get healthier. I had no clue what it meant to live a healthy lifestyle. So I went home cleared out the kitchen and started doing research online. 

My first time attempting any type of exercise was on a treadmill. I was able to walk very slow on the treadmill for 10 seconds. Think about that number! Let it sink in!

I had a rude awakening! So i went back the next day and i pushed past 10 seconds going to 15. I did this daily for a few months. I remember when i reached 1 minute. I felt amazing. I kept pushing through and eventually kept pushing through milestones.

Fast forward to Nov 2007

I continued on my health journey and decided to finally join a gym. It was a tough decision for me as I was already worried about being judged by others. With these concerns I joined a small boutique gym. I went every day and was doing my 30-40 minute treadmill sessions and eventually started using the machines to lift weights.

One of the trainers, Joey Jacinto, there saw the work i was putting in and the commitment I had. He pulled me aside one day and said he wanted to help me with training. I told him I was in no financial position to afford a trainer. He said he was not charging me because he saw the amount of effort and commitment I was putting in and admired it. So we started training together and that helped me get to the next level. 

I was doing 1hr of cardio 5 days a week and strength training 3-4 times a week.

By this point I was well into my journey and I had lost about 150ish pounds. I was weighing about 350.

In 2008 I was laid-off from work and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I decided to go all in with my health and fitness. I started working at the gym full time and continued my journey. I kept learning about nutrition and training from other coaches and trainers at the gym. I joined a bodybuilding team who really took my body to a place I didnt think I could get to. After 8 months of training and eating like a bodybuilder I reached the lowest weight i have been in a very long time. After this extended amount of time I found it to not be enjoable for me anymore, so i decided to find a balance.

Nov 2017

I found mountain biking or I should say. It found me! I bought a Wal-Mart bike and it lasted about 2 hours. Went to REI and picked up a "Better" mountain bike that lasted about 2 weeks. This is where I found my LBS. I went to Exhale bikes and got my first official hardtail. I was on cloud 9 I rode that bike off and on for the next couple years. I was LEARN AS YOU GO PROGRAM, crashing and getting hurt.

Late 2019 

I saw this ad on FB for SMBA aka Sedona Mountain Bike Academy. I signed up for the 2 day weekend skills clinic. This was when I learned how much i was doing wrong, and I met some really cool people and made some awesome friends, Ammo, Evan, and Joanna. I was taught so many great fundamental skills that weekend. I took that home and practiced for 6 months, I was a safer and confident rider. I went back to Sedona for a follow up clinic and came back with more information to up my confidence. I started seeing the value in skills clinics and seeing many riders on the trails that were in the same situation I was in before. I always took time to help them the best I could. 

Memorial Day Weekend 2023

I went back to Sedona but this time with a goal of becoming a certified MTB skills coach. After 3 days of being coached on being a coach by Joanna Yates. The Phx MTB Coach was born!

Now I have the skills and knowledge to help new riders avoid the pit falls I went through. It is an exciting journey I have been on and I would not change it for anything.