How childhood sport gave him the discipline and self-belief to cross an Ironman finish line with pride.

Childhood Ribbons & Candy Stands

Some people fall in love with sport because they’re hungry to win.
Others stick around for the candy stand.

Swimming started at age eight—not because he was chasing medals, but because his mom, a physician and fan of safe choices, nudged him toward a non-contact sport. No sprained ankles, just water and lane lines.

What kept him going wasn’t competition—it was connection. The inside jokes between sets, the carpools to practice, the snack breaks after meets. Swimming became the backdrop for learning discipline, consistency, and how to show up for a team.

“I got my kicks from hanging out with people, sitting on the wall talking. That was what I liked.”

From Training Partner to Teammate

By the time he reached college, swimming had become a steady presence in his life. He wasn’t chasing Olympic dreams—but he had undeniable talent, a strong foundation, and the work ethic to back it up.

Making it onto a Division I roster at Purdue didn’t happen by accident. It took years of early mornings, structured days, and a commitment to something bigger than himself. Even when he wasn’t the loudest in the lane or the most obsessed with winning, he was a teammate who showed up, day in and day out.

Swimming gave him a routine. It gave him a community. It gave him a space to be challenged—and to figure out what kind of person he wanted to become.

“I wish I had the mindset I do now. I could’ve done so much more—in both school and sport.”

But even then, he was building the habits he still relies on today: time management, self-discipline, and the ability to stick with something—even when it’s hard.

The Next Lap: Endurance on His Own Terms

After college, he stepped away from sport for a while. No more practices, no training blocks, just the space to figure out what came next.

And then one day, during what was supposed to be a casual city bike ride, he got dropped—by his girlfriend, who was running. That moment hit differently.

He didn’t dive back in right away. But slowly, the rhythm returned: a 10-mile race here, a half-marathon there, then a full marathon, a triathlon, and eventually a full Ironman. This time, there were no coaches, no teammates, no pressure—just self-driven goals and a growing curiosity about what he could do.

He dove into training science, nutrition, recovery, performance podcasts, even the nuances of healthspan. His once-chaotic fueling habits were replaced with a much more intentional (and well-researched) approach.

A Finish Line That Meant More

Crossing the finish line at Ironman California—8th overall, first in his age group—was more than just a win on paper.

It was the culmination of everything he had built since childhood: the discipline from swim practice, the structure from juggling engineering and athletics, the quiet resilience of showing up even when no one’s watching.

“This was the first time I felt like I truly owned what I had accomplished.”

There were no external rewards—no scholarship, no coach patting him on the back. Just the satisfaction of knowing he put in the work, did it his way, and earned the result.

The Skills That Still Show Up

These days, he works in project management. But sport still shapes how he lives, works, and approaches every challenge. The same qualities that got him through years of 9pm practices and early classes now show up in long training blocks, difficult workdays, and everything in between.

Time management: learned from balancing an engineering degree with D1 athletics
Discipline: built through daily swim practices—and still the foundation of his endurance training
Teamwork & communication: formed in the pool, carried into every job since
Perspective: earned through experience, reflection, and starting over
Confidence: not loud, but solid—knowing he can do hard things and come out stronger

“If you can crush a tough bike workout in the morning,” he said, “sitting through a long meeting just doesn’t feel that bad.”

What About You?

Have you ever walked away from something—only to find your way back, stronger and more grounded? Maybe it didn’t look like a comeback from the outside, but it meant everything to you.

We’d love to hear about your shift, your restart, or the moment you reclaimed something on your own terms. Drop your story in the comments—and if this reflection reminded you of someone on a similar path, feel free to share it with them!

Built in the Pool, Proven in the Race