What is your favorite sport?

My favorite sport would have to be football.  I've been a college football coach since the day I graduated from college.  It's an incredible team sport that opens you to a world of great personal relationships.

What are your goals?:

In the long term- I would hope to stay as active as I've been for the past 5 months for the rest of my life.  This has very much been a lifestyle change for me.  Physical activity is no longer something I just casually do when I have free time.  Now it is an every day part of my life.  In the short term- I'd like to improve on my marathon time.  I didn't do so well in my first one and I would love to be better.

What motivates you?:

Success.  In anything that I've ever wanted to achieve I have made that a number one priority in my life.  Being successful at what others say cannot be done is really what drives me.  From the time I was young until now there have always been people who have said, "You can't do this or you can't do that".  I love to prove those people wrong and enjoy hearing their excuses for why they can't get it done.

What's your favorite food?

Without a doubt its chicken wings.  In fact, if we were forced to survive on only one choice of food for the rest of our lives it would be chicken wings.

What's your favorite song, band or music to listen to when exercising?

I'm always up for the Counting Crows when I'm working out.  Sometimes I have to go a little more up-tempo though when its one of the days I don't feel like being there.  But I'll generally listen to anything.

If you could pick one athlete to talk to or workout with, who would it be and why?

Don't hate me but Tiger Woods.  Putting his shenanigans to the side he is quite possibly the most dominant professional athlete of my time.  I'm really intrigued by the psychological aspect of competition.  Golf requires such intense focus on each and every shot.  I think his ability to focus on the process and not the final outcome of competition is what makes him so great.

What is your favorite sports drink and energy fuel?

Favorite sports drink would have to be the Gatorade G2 series.  I prefer the GU Chomps too.  I had about 5 regular GU's during the marathon and can't stomach the smell or taste of them anymore.

If you compete, what is the one race or competition you would like to do at least once? 

I would love to do a triathlon.  Now I'm not talking half-Iron Man's or any of that business but maybe a sprint.  I think the swim would be the ultimate challenge for me but I think it would be pretty neat to compete in those three tough sports.

What is your favorite race you've competed in?

I've done one 5K, one ten miler, then the Pittsburgh Marathon.  The coolest one was definitely the ten miler because it was my first one and I wasn't sure what to expect on race day.  As far as the most awe inspiring one, without question the Pittsburgh Marathon.  Long, tough, psychological grind.

List some of your major athletic or health accomplishments?

Pittsburgh Marathon finisher would be the most recent.  Also losing 26 pounds from the middle of December to the first week of May.  College- Captain and MVP of the Allegheny College football team. 2-time All North Coast Athletic Conference Linebacker.  National Strength & Conditioning Association All American.  High School- Captain and MVP of Seneca Valley High School football team.

Anything else you would like to add?

This change in lifestyle for me would not have been possible without the guidance and influence of Joella Baker.  She's been a tremendous mentor for the past 5 months and I truly value what she stands for and what she brings to our group.