Where are you from?
I’m grew up in Syracuse, New York. I’ve experienced more snow in my youth than anyone should in a lifetime. I’m so grateful everyday I wake up in Southern California, especially the South Bay!
How did you get into acupuncture?
I was always interested in medicine from a young age and fascinated with how the body worked. I was also obsessed with sports. I played most of them in my youth, but concentrated on lacrosse and football in high school, then going on to play football in college.
My senior year in college I was having some knee and ankle issues that kept me from playing. As chance will have it, limping around campus, I saw a flier that an acupuncturist was doing an introductory talk about acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
I attended (obviously), and walked away from that talk fascinated with how eastern philosophy looked at the body and someone’s health in a holistic approach, compared to the more reductionist approach I was exposed to through western medicine. After graduation, I drove across the country to attend the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego.
How did you get into the more specific field of sports acupuncture?
Due to my athletic background, I was most interested in treating pain and injuries. I wanted to help people move and feel better. I knew what it felt like not to be able to train and compete, therefore my driving passion was to help people get back to the activities that make life more fulfilling to them.
While in graduate school, I studied under Matt Callison, L.Ac., who is the premier sports acupuncturist in the country. I interned in his clinic for years trying to soak up as much knowledge as possible. While studying under him, I learned to meld acupuncture with sports medicine.
How long is Acupuncture School?
4 years
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work I’m busy being a dad to 3 kids (1 son and identical girl twins). On the weekends you’ll find us building sandcastles at the beach, riding bikes and scooters or playing on the slackline in the park.
My wife and I love to workout and be active as we can. That is one of the reasons we fell in love with the South Bay – you can’t help but want to get outside and move as much as possible. I also love to cook, read, and meditate.