I want to say Happy Mother’s day to my mom! It has been almost 5 years since her passing, but I am not sad today. Today I am happy and very proud I had a mom as special as her. I can say I would not be the man I am today if it was not for her. In loving memory of her, here is my post from last year on mother’s day, as I was making my way to the INBF Capital City Natural Championships.

I wanted to write about my mom today as this was her special day. My mom past away 4 years ago and she was an incredible woman. It seems like yesterday I just saw her, as on Mother’s Day 4 years ago was the last time I saw her. I think of her everyday and I owe so much to her for making me the person I am today. I think of all the struggles she had as I was growing up. She was a single mom trying to raise me as best as she could by waiting tables to provide for me. She was the kind of woman who always put her kids before her no matter what and for that I am truly appreciative of her. She inspires me to this day to do my best at what I do. I am striving everyday to be like her and to be a giving person as she was on a regular basis but I am far from being like her. She treated everyone she met as if she knew them as a long time friend and made them feel always welcome. She genuinely had a huge heart and I miss being able to just talk to her on the phone or see her on days like this. As I continue on my journey to the Capital City Championships, I will continue to train as hard as I can, even through the days where at times it can be a struggle. I will just think of her and all the struggles she had on the days raising me and I will push through in her honor and be at my very best! I will make her proud! I love you Mom! Happy Mother's Day!!


The day after the INBF Northwest Natural, May 2000

My mom lived in Oregon which made it very difficult for her to attend the many shows I have been in. In May 2000, my wife and I traveled up to Oregon so I could compete in the INBF Northwest Natural. It was an opportunity for my mom to see me compete and looking back on that show, it was definitely one of the most proudest moments of my career. It was only the second time she actually saw me compete, so it was definitely a special day. I had a good showing by placing first in the middle weights and second overall to the heavyweight winner, Elvernie McGee. What is so memorable about this show is my mom’s reaction after the show. She told me I should have won because I was the best looking one there. I tried to tell her they only judge from the neck down, but she wasn’t having it. How typical of a mom right? I could have been the worst bodybuilder there, but she would have said the same exact thing, “You should have won!” Just like a mom to defend her son no matter what!


Elvernie outweighed me by 33lbs. of pure muscle at the same height as me, but my mom still thought I should have won!

She was surely proud of me that day and I am so glad I was able to share that show with her. She also fattened me up the next morning with some good old fashioned homemade biscuits and gravy! It was so good I still remember exactly how it tasted to this day! There was nothing better than her homemade cooking! Looking back, I will never forget that show and the great time I had with her. With every show I have done since then I can still hear her telling me how proud she is of me. She still inspires to this day and I will continue to try to be a better person because of everything she has done for me. I love you Mom! Happy Mother’s Day!

Until my next blog, keep training hard and naturally!