About Me
A Journey of Faith, Family, and Fitness
A Journey Through Loss, Grace, and Growth
My story is one of loss, healing, redemption, and renewal. Raised by a single mother whose faith anchored our family, I learned the meaning of sacrifice and trust early on. From mentoring young men to becoming a caregiver for my brother, to facing cancer during a global pandemic—my life has been a series of battles met with grace. Through it all, two pillars have never failed me: faith in God and the discipline of physical strength. Lift & Pray exists to pass on those same pillars to you—because strength isn't just found in the gym; it’s found in the fire, forged by faith.
✝️ My Foundation: Faith That Carried Me
I was raised by a single mother whose unwavering faith in God became the cornerstone of my life. She didn’t just talk about trust—she lived it. Through the trials of a broken marriage and the weight of raising two sons alone, she never let go of her belief in God’s promises. Her strength wasn’t loud, but it was unshakable.
While others might have collapsed under the pressure, she became the anchor of our home. She taught me that endurance isn’t about escaping pain—it’s about walking through it with faith. Her prayers were constant, her love was sacrificial, and her trust in God was absolute.
To this day, everything I believe about discipline, sacrifice, and hope is rooted in her example. She didn’t just raise a son—she raised a believer.
Brotherhood & Calling: The Search for Something Greater
My college years weren’t just about academics or athletics—they were a turning point in my spiritual journey. It was a season of discovery, challenge, and unexpected divine direction. Brotherhood introduced me to leadership, but it was faith that gave me purpose.
Joining Sigma Phi Epsilon
Becoming part of Sigma Phi Epsilon introduced me to a brotherhood centered on balance, leadership, and values. It was here that I first experienced what it meant to belong to something bigger than myself—a foundation that would quietly prepare me for future spiritual growth.
Becoming Chaplain
Though still early in my faith journey, I accepted the role of Chaplain—a position that required spiritual maturity I didn't yet have. It challenged me to lead not with my own wisdom, but by seeking God's voice, setting the stage for deeper transformation.
Exploring Faith
Curiosity led me to explore other worldviews, study different religions, and dive into cultures beyond my own. I wasn’t just learning about beliefs—I was searching for truth. And that search made my eventual encounter with Christ all the more meaningful.
Choosing Christ
After years of questioning and seeking, I found clarity, conviction, and peace in the message of Christ. Choosing Him wasn’t just a decision—it was a surrender to a greater purpose and a new identity rooted in faith, not fear.
Refined by Trials, Restored by Grace
These chapters of my life weren’t easy—but they were necessary. Through every burden, illness, and breakthrough, God was writing a greater story—one of resilience, redemption, and purpose. Here’s how the journey unfolded.
01.
🧱 Family Responsibilities & Trials
Life didn’t wait for me to feel ready—it demanded responsibility before I could even process the weight of it. As I mentored young men in the fraternity and pursued my future, my family back home faced battles of their own. My older brother struggled with mental illness, and my mother, the strongest person I knew, bore the burden alone. She shielded me from the full weight of it so I could build a life of my own. But her only request was simple: be prepared to take over one day. When she passed away in 2018, everything changed. I became my brother’s legal guardian, managing his care while coordinating everything from a distance. It was a season filled with grief, responsibility, and learning to lead with compassion.
02.
🩺 The Battle with Cancer
At the end of 2020, my own body broke down in a way I never expected. What started as fatigue and breathing trouble quickly escalated into a medical emergency. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma—at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alone in the hospital, I underwent months of chemotherapy with no visitors, no comfort, and very little strength left. For someone whose identity was tied to physical strength, it was terrifying to watch my body weaken. But even in isolation, I was not abandoned. God met me in the silence. He walked with me through the procedures, through the pain, and through the fear. In my weakest moments, I found a peace that didn’t come from within—but from above.
03.
🌅 Restoration & New Beginnings
Out of the darkest season came unexpected miracles. I recovered from cancer. I helped lead close friends to Christ. I bought a home in Florida to provide care for my brother and reconnected with a half-sister I never even knew existed—discovered just weeks before my diagnosis. Life didn’t go back to what it was; it became something new. Something built on gratitude, surrender, and purpose. I stepped into a deeper calling—not only to survive, but to serve, teach, and inspire. Every piece of the journey began to fit together, revealing that even my pain had a purpose.
04.
🙌 What I Do Today
Today, I serve as the Stewardship Coordinator at my church, helping others discover how to use their time, talents, and resources for God's glory. I lead monthly Bible studies, continue mentoring young men, and share my heart through Lift & Pray. My mission is simple: to combine faith and fitness in a way that strengthens people from the inside out. Whether through a blog post, a prayer, or a personal story, I want to encourage others to keep going, keep believing, and keep lifting—even when life feels heavy.
