What’s up Homie, 

I grew up in a multicultural household. My mom, a school administrator from a small town in West Virginia, and my dad, a respected detective originally from the Dominican Republic, both came from difficult backgrounds. Their experiences shaped my own in ways I didn’t fully appreciate until much later. As the oldest child, I was tested early on in life. Growing up, I was either known as “white boy” or “big red,” with much of my adolescence being defined by saggy pants, Etnies, and a FTW (For The Win) mentality. Over time, I evolved from a skater punk to an Eminem wannabe, just trying to find my place.

In 2010, I took a turn that would reshape my life: I entered law enforcement. This decision was a blessing in disguise, though it took years for me to realize just how humbling it would be. The constant exposure to traumatic events and the addiction to adrenaline led me down a dangerous path. I found myself abusing energy drinks, alcohol, and nicotine—habits all too common in my line of work. My personal life became a mess, and by 2017, I was battling inner demons that would haunt me for years to come.

I knew this wasn’t the life I wanted for myself, so I made a change. After some delay, I reached out for help, and the gym became my anchor. It was where I found my sense of masculinity and regained control of my life.

Years of making better decisions, leaning on supportive friends, and developing healthier coping mechanisms completely transformed me. These changes opened doors I never imagined, and I felt compelled to give back.

In 2021, I founded The Lift to Live Society. I truly believe that, by using fitness as a foundation, we can overcome any obstacle and thrive against all odds.

 Welcome to the family homie.

What’s up, Lift to Live Family!

I was born and raised in Northern Virginia, with my parents both serving the community—my dad in Law Enforcement and my mom as a Nurse. From a young age, my passion was sports, particularly baseball. I played through high school and college at Shenandoah University, eventually going pro. In 2016, I was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 16th round as the 484th pick of the MLB draft. My professional baseball career spanned from 2016 to 2019.

After my release and retirement from baseball, I transitioned into another profession I grew to love; Law Enforcement. This transition was not without its challenges. Adjusting to the demands of policing was tough—both physically and mentally. I've faced the harsh realities of the job, from dealing with difficult relationships to witnessing the darker sides of humanity. These experiences have shaped me and deepened my understanding of resilience and mental health. I have also dealt with extreme challenges in my personal life as well and have overcome them, learned from them, and ultimately changed my life for the better!

I've been fortunate to be mentored, coached, and trained by some of the best in both my baseball and law enforcement careers. These experiences have taught me invaluable lessons about perseverance, teamwork, leadership, discipline, and self-love. 

I am excited to share these principles with the Lift to Live community and to offer my experiences, guidance, and passion for mental health and physical fitness. 

Peace and love, baby!