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          I was born on April 19, 1984, in Peoria, Illinois. I grew up in the small town of Washburn, Illinois, with my brother and four adopted sisters. During my sophomore year of high school, I moved to Metamora, Illinois.

          In high school, I was the captain of the wrestling team, achieving 2nd place in the nation in both Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling. I also played football and baseball. After high school, I played arena football for multiple 8FL teams for nine years and semi-pro 11-man football for Mid-State Steel, where I won a national football title with the team in 2005.

          Growing up, my dad would take my brother and me to his club fishing tournaments, which sparked my love of fishing. I started by participating in kids' fishing derby tournaments at the age of 8 and later moved on to local open tournaments. In college, I founded the NIU fishing team and eventually began competing in FLW Opens, becoming a professional fishing guide.

          Along the way, I developed a passion for the outdoors and became an avid hunter, which led me to work as a waterfowl guide. Today, I own a professional guide service called Moonpie Outdoors, LLC, where I focus on getting veterans, youth, and individuals with disabilities outdoors to experience the joy of fishing and hunting.

             When I'm not running my company, I work my 9-to-5 job as the Lead Captain for the St. Charles Park District, where I oversee 90-passenger cruises on a paddlewheel boat along the Fox River. At the end of the day, I go home to my amazing wife and kids.