In my sophomore year of college I enrolled in a scuba diving leadership course that forever changed my life. While becoming an Assistant Instructor at the University of Florida’s Academic Diving Program, I delivered my first speech ever to 200 students in a dauntingly large auditorium. I failed miserably! But, I was inspired. I rose to the challenge of delivering high quality and impactful speeches. I borrowed $1,000 from my mom to become a scuba instructor and she happily agreed stating, “It’s always something you can fall back on.” Little did we know that diving would be my first career.

At 20 years old, I was already a multi-agency scuba instructor, writing articles for national training agencies, and speaking at industry conferences and conventions. I went on to become the Managing Director of the University of Florida Academic Diving Program and grew it to be the largest university dive program in the world.

I was hired as an intern at the YMCA Scuba Program’s national headquarters. I quickly advanced to National Director within a two-year period. During my tenure with the YMCA, I became a judge for freediving (breath-hold diving) competitions and co-founded the United States Freediving Team. And in 2002 I used my culture shaping strategies as Team Captain to bring home a gold medal at the Pacific Cup of Freediving.

Along the way, I became a law enforcement public safety diver with the Broward Sheriff’s Office and a police officer with Gainesville Police Department. I was recruited to establish the Nova Southeastern University Academic Diving Program.

I also write and produce two podcasts, a website, an app and online courses dedicated to diving pro’s. My life is shaped by many blessings. I love God, my amazing bride (Heather), and my awesome kids (Nicole and Christian). I enjoy 80’s rock, good beer, and Jeep life. The fam and I can be found in our pool or in the ocean.