I grew up waterskiing on DeGray Lake every weekend with my family. Waterskiing before I could walk and taking my first steps in the boat...you could say that water is where I belong.

When I was in elementary school my parents put me on the Lasers Swim Team with the primary purpose of becoming a strong swimmer. Those couple years quickly turned into a passion and lifelong journey. I began volunteering with my coach, Coach Tay Stratton, to put on Stroke Technique Camps and help younger athletes on the team. During Stroke Technique Camp Coach would have us (the volunteer helpers) share with the group what swimming had done for us. It was not until the second or third time that she asked that question that I realized just how far I had come in my communication skills, confidence, my ability to speak in front of others, and so much more. There is no doubt in my mind that Coach Tay knew exactly what she was doing all along; she helped me find my voice and grow into the strong, confident, well spoken adult that I am today.

After a few years of volunteering I acquired my work permit at the age of 14 and started teaching swim lessons. I took great pride in teaching skills to toddlers and elementary age children that would potentially prevent the need for them to be saved when swimming. We covered water safety, what to do if they saw someone struggling in the water, how to float, and eventually their strokes. At that point I was exactly where I was supposed to be; I knew that I wanted to be Coach when I grew up.

I swam through high school and two years into college before presuing coaching fulltime with my very own training site. All of the athletes I have had the privilage of coaching have taught me more that I could ever express. My goal for every athlete that I have the privilage of coaching is that they expand their comfort zone, learn to articulate their feelings, gain self confidence, do something that they are proud of in every practice, and know that I am their biggest cheerleader. I coach with the intention of "being the person I needed when I was younger."