From Rock Bottom to Ultramarathons: My Journey of Discipline and Discovery
I was born in Grafton, West Virginia, but my story really began when my family relocated to Lethbridge, Alberta. Both of my parents were teachers, and Canada provided stronger opportunities than the low-paying education system back in the U.S. I was fortunate to grow up with two loving parents and a supportive family, making for a happy childhood.
Growing up, I was the odd one out when it came to making new freinds. My brother found his circle of friends early, but I struggled. I was shy, awkward, and never fit in with the groups of boys around us. While my brother thrived, I drifted.
By the time I reached high school, I went down the wrong path. I wanted to be “cool,” but my definition of cool was misguided. To me, it meant smoking, partying, doing drugs, and hanging out with the loudest, most reckless kids. I stopped caring—about school, my future, even myself.
After graduating, I started college in Digital Communications and Media. I’ve always loved photography and nature—two passions that never left me even in my darkest times. But without discipline, I couldn’t follow through. I didn’t even finish one semester. In reality I was locked in my room, smoking weed, playing video games, and eating garbage for days on end. Depressed because deep down I knew, I had completely wasted my potential.
It didn’t take long before my weight ballooned up to 280 pounds. I’d always been on the heavier side, but now I was fully obese. I stayed stuck in that cycle for nearly two years.
When I turned 20, I finally got my first real job—detailing cars at a Ford dealership. It doesn’t sound like much, but that job was the spark I needed. It taught me discipline. I learned quickly that not showing up had real consequences. For the first time, I felt a sliver of direction.
That’s when I decided I needed to change. My first step was my body. I started dieting and hitting the gym consistently. After six months, I had lost 75 pounds. For the first time in my life, I had proof that hard work over time pays off. When I looked in the mirror, I didn’t dislike reflection staring back at me.
But I wasn’t there yet. I let myself slip, started slacking on diet and workouts, and the weight began creeping back.
Through all of this, my biggest inspiration was my mom, Trudi. She’s one of the toughest people I know. From starting out as a music teacher to becoming the Dean for the Centre of Criminal Justice at Lethbridge Polytechnic, she’s climbed every ladder in front of her. On top of that, she’s an athlete—an Ironman finisher and an ultramarathon runner. Some of the hardest feats on earth, and she’s done them.
One day, I asked if I could join her on a run. It was just 5km, but it killed me. Still, I kept at it, running on and off for three months. By then, I had dropped down to 200 pounds. That was the moment I decided: I’m going to do this every day.
I built a strict routine: 5 a.m. run, cold shower, pushups and pull-ups. My diet tightened up, my discipline grew. Running wasn’t just exercise—it was becoming part of who I was.
In June 2025, I completed my first ultramarathon in Wyoming. Crossing that finish line, I experienced a new level happiness but equall amounts of pain—but it was the kind of pain that felt good. It was proof that I had pushed my body to its absolute limits. For the first time in my life, I felt like I knew who I was. I wasn’t the lost, shapeless version of myself anymore. That race felt like a rite of passage. A declaration to the world: that wasn’t me. This is me.
After Wyoming, I dove straight into training for the Lost Soul Ultramarathon. Almost Every weekend meant no less than 15 miles in the coulees. There were mornings I wanted to stay in bed, days I wanted to skip. But the thought of proving wrong everyone who thought I’d never amount to anything drove me forward.
Now, training is as essential to me as eating or breathing. On the days I don’t train, my mind drifts back to old habits. The difference is, now I know how to fight back. The answer is simple: relentless discipline. I can’t negotiate with myself anymore. I can’t let the old me win.
Because I’ve learned that discipline isn’t just about running. It’s about survival.
I’m five days out from Lost Soul right now. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. But I know the work I’ve put in—both mentally and physically—will carry me through. Looking at the times from last year, I should finish inside the top 20. That would be an incredible result for someone as young and inexperienced as I am.
And even if I crash and burn, I know I’ll finish. Through relentless forward motion and an iron mind unwilling to quit, I will run this race with everything I have. And I’ll carry that same fire into every future challenge I face in the ultramarathon world.
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