A Bit About Me
As I transitioned from the triumphs and trials of high school athletics to the rigors of professional baseball, I navigated a landscape fraught with both success and setbacks. Despite enduring four arm surgeries that prematurely halted my playing career, I refused to succumb to defeat, channeling my indomitable spirit into new endeavors. Embracing the world of film production, academic pursuits, and a hellish alcohol addiction, I found solace in storytelling and embarked on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Through life's tumultuous waves, I emerged not as a victim of circumstance but as a victor fueled by the resilience of the human spirit.
Today, as a coach dedicated to empowering you beyond the confines of our own limiting beliefs, I impart the invaluable lesson that true success lies not in the trophies we amass but in the intrinsic drive to persevere, embodying the transformative power of mindset in every facet of life's journey.
TIMELINE OF PROFESSIONAL CAREER...
1992
1995 -1998
November, 1997
June 3rd, 1998
July, 1998
1999
2000
2001
2001 & 2002
2002
2005
May, 2007
2008-2009
2010
2011-2012
2013 - 2014
2015
2016 - 2017
2018 - 2020
2019
2020 - 2021/2
June 2022
2022 - present
At 12 years old, I played on a select (travel) baseball team that went to a national championship and earned me news clippings, but those athletic abilities did not stop middle schoolers from bullying, beating me up, and tormenting me.
Played baseball at Archbishop Moeller High School, while also playing AAU basketball, and travel baseball with the nationally recognized, Midland Baseball Organization where we won the national championship. Collegiate and Professional scouts began coming around.
Committed to play baseball and attend the University of Tennessee.
At the age of 18, selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 7th round of the 1998 Major League Baseball draft and began my professional baseball career.
Started my journey through the minor leagues. After pitching just 35 innings, moved up to short season A ball in Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia where I pitched 5.2 in the playoffs and we won the championship. Living in an adult world before being ready.
At 19, made the full season A club as a starting pitcher, helping the team win another championship. Won 10 games (tied for 1st in organization), and led the White Sox organization in innings pitched, complete games, and shutouts.
Broke spring training having made the high A team as a starting pitcher and at age 20, had first arm (elbow) surgery.
Started a small baseball training facility; Advantage Baseball – leading to an ongoing dedication to coaching youth athletes to help them improve both mentally and physically. The mental skills and peak performance aspects of coaching always interested me more than the mechanical elements.
At the very end of the 2001 season, I broke the scaphoid bone in my throwing wrist and had a screw put in it. I was in a cast for 9 months. I thought my career was over at this point.
Rule V Drafted by the Minnesota Twins during the 2002 off-season.
Released by the Twins after having two more surgeries – elbow and shoulder. I pondered what to do next.
Enrolled in California State University, Northridge determined to pivot to a career in film.
Steven Spielberg wasn't going to find me, so I was coming for him; that was my mindset. Wrote, directed, and produced 3 short films and continued training youth ball players in partnership with a baseball training facility in Pasadena.
Graduated college with degrees in Film production and media law, got married, and produced first seven figure movie – starring Val Kilmer and Ving Rhames – on location in Cincinnati.
Sought out and acquired worthy intellectual properties, perfected film packaging and development, domestic and international film sales & distribution, and financing, negotiating talent deals with the largest agents (CAA, WME, UTA, ICM). In production on three feature films.
Established an "overall deal" with Palmstar Media Capital, then a leading film financing entity in Los Angeles.
Production career continued with my first daughter being born and with films like Blue Mountain State; The Rise of Thadland, staring actor and producing partner, Alan Ritchson (Reacher).
Birth of second daughter and recruited to Three Point Capital who financed two of my films. Our young family started splitting time between Los Angeles, Cincinnati, and NYC.
Began coaching Moeller High School baseball in Cincinnati and looked for space to open another baseball facility.
Navigated comprehensive extended family disputes and a shattered disc in my lower back; another surgery. I turned to drinking and began a helllish period of my life.
Found space for a new Advantage Baseball training facility and got to work building it out and produced my last film before leaving the film industry to heal during COVID. Dedicated time to coaching amateur baseball players.
The Covid Years
The COVID-19 pandemic coincided with the opening of the second Advantage, forcing us to close the doors. Once we could open again, we were at capacity and sold out. However, I was still struggling to find my identity, purpose, and recollect who I once was. Began deep dives into psychology, neuroscience, human behavior, spirituality, and Intrinsic motivators.
Moved to Minneapolis to raise our daughters. Sold Advantage to the Cannes Baseball Organization. Expanded research and education to include personality, vulnerability and courage, and voluntary, radical acceptance.
Leveraged my resiliency and personal experiences navigating challenges and setbacks to aggressively acquire coaching certificates to advance my coaching ability. Building an Intrinsic Lifestyle program to help others reach their peak mental performance.