I began coaching through a local running store in Charlotte, North Carolina shortly after finishing my college career. I was fascinated by the different circumstances that people had to deal with in their everyday lives and how those circumstances influenced their training. In time I realized that there are several factors that make an athlete/ coach relationship successful… As with any relationship there must be a mutual respect and understanding. I always start by getting to know a perspective athlete. I have found that knowing a person as an individual plays as significant a role in his running success as knowing him as an athlete. Family, school, work and the general details of life all factor in to our running, so ignoring those aspects when considering training time and intensity can lead to a sub par performance on race day. I have found that being flexible as a coach plays a primary role in the success of my athletes.

As a runner, I continue to strive to get the most out of my ability. Though my running career has had its highs and lows, I believe that the obstacles I’ve faced along the way allow me to better understand what my athletes go through, and ultimately make me a better coach. I am currently living in Flagstaff, AZ and like Mike Smith; I’ve also had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Jack Daniels. I have been fortunate through the years to have had knowledgeable and experienced coaches throughout my entire running career. These individuals have influenced my own training, as well as my coaching. I have also studied under renowned therapist Phil Wharton, of Wharton Performance. Phil helped me recover from a chronic injury that had sidelined me on and off for 5 years. I was so amazed by the results of Phil’s work that I now send the program to every client that signs on with us, because preventing an injury is far more productive than treating one.

I am proud of what we have accomplished to this point with the Run SMART Project. As a team we continue to push ourselves to grow our business, so that we can offer more services and value to our athletes. As individuals, I am confident that each of us gives our athletes whatever we can to ensure their success.

I became involved with the Run SMART Project out of the desire provide a successful experience to those who wanted to make running a part of their life. I did not start my relationship with running as a coach, but first as an athlete. I was an All-American at a top Division I university, and ran professionally post collegiately, competing at last year’s Olympic Team Trials in the Men’s Marathon. In my quest to become the best runner I could be, I naturally became a student of the sport, studying, reading, inquiring, and experimenting. As I gained knowledge, I became humbled in realizing how lucky I had been to land in the hands of such wise, patient coaches who guided my running career, from a high school runner to a professional athlete. As I looked around, I began to recognize how many runners had frustrating and negative experiences because of bad information, generic training plans, or poor guidance with incomplete understanding of this complex activity. One day it hit me: I had hit the jackpot, yes. But now I had a responsibility to the sport I have enjoyed so much.

And so I joined the team at the Run SMART Project with my mission of showing people just what they’re capable of when their hard work is applied intelligently. My approach is completely individualized to each runner; I work with a limited number of clients to maximize attention.

I continue to compete as a runner, as well as work full time at the Center for High Altitude Training, a US Olympic Training Site in Flagstaff, AZ under coaching guru, world renowned physiologist Dr. Jack Daniels.