Building Momentum

I graduated from Truman State University with a bachelor's in Exercise Science in 2017. Truman's Exercise Science department also partnered with the American College of Sports Medicine which allowed me to test for and receive their Exercise Physiologist certification. Out of school I started training at a local gym back home, running classes and personal training sessions. After about five years of training I left and started The Gain Train.

So why The Gain Train? Why name your company after a meme that stopped being funny over a decade ago? Because, ironically, it encapsulates what I want my experience, and the experience of my clients to be. It's lighthearted, it's funny, doesn't take itself too seriously. At the same time, I like the idea of a train being a metaphor for positive life changes. It takes a massive amount of energy to get the train to start moving, just like it takes a big effort to make the initial leap into a lifestyle change. But, every time the wheels turn and the engine cranks, the train gets a little faster. It starts Building Momentum. As you start to be more consistent with better habits, you build the same kind of momentum. Once the train is up to full speed, it's damn near impossible to stop. So the entire idea is to make positive changes, build momentum, and eventually reach a point where you don't stop progressing no matter what setbacks you face.

About Me

I am skinny. I have (almost) always been skinny. My entire fitness career stems from a picture of my teenage self where I looked like a malnourished hospital patient. Some people can't get weight off, I can't keep it on. I started lifting with some other guys for high school sports and to feel better about my body. Turns out you can get fairly strong without getting very big, how annoying. However, People did take notice of the strength increases and started asking me for help with lifting. Maybe you don't care about my batman origin story but the important part is that these formative years created a passion for strength sports, fitness, and helping others.

Athletics have also been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was a multi-sport athlete in high school and ended up playing football in college. Following graduation I competed in powerlifting, jiu-jitsu, mixed martial arts, and triathlon. Some people like to say life has punched them in the face, well I've been literally kicked in the face in a cage. You have to keep training fun, which means having variety in both the movements as well as the end goal. I practice this principle with myself and my clients.

Most days you'll find me spending time with my wife and son, lifting weights, training clients, and eating super clean until I buy a family bag of Hot Cheetos and eat the whole thing in one sitting.

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