The spirit of a champion is deep rooted in the heart soul of every true athlete. For many years I grew up flipping and twisting in the family business, The Greater Buffalo Gymnastics Center. However, one day I transitioned my skills from a spring floor to a spring board. This began at the age of 12 and after ten years of dedication, early morning practices, injuries, rehab, victories, defeats and more, my sports career was highlighted at the NCAA National Championships at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

As a national qualifier, division record holder and division champion, I secured a coveted spot to travel to the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s championships to compete on the 1 and 3 meter springboard competitions in 2003. I was proud to be the sole team member and represent the SUNYAC champion Geneseo Blue Wave Swimming & Diving team at such an elite level.

After several days of intense competition my long athletic career ended as an official All-American Athlete by placing in the top 16 in the nation. Following my career as an athlete and after college graduation, I remained in the sport. Only this time I was at the other end of the diving board, coaching and mentoring the young athletes at my Alma Mater high school, Williamsville North.

This decade long sports career taught me many valuable lessons. Lessons about life, about winning and losing, and team effort all shaped me into the person I have become today. Throughout those years, valuable experiences in sports and leading a team translated into characteristics that are highly sought after in the workplace and help an individual excel in business and in life.