With difficulties learning and producing the skillsets of other children, I became an easy target for bullying. Having high energy and little interests in the school system, I would not be favored by teachers. This all came in a time of racial tensions, the rise of resentment towards whites. In the 1990s music and counter culture were more aggressive than it had ever been, simultaneously the mainstream would try to stifle it, and weaken the drive of young boys.
Where It Starts
I had found myself fighting for my life regularly at a young age. In 1995 my parents moved us to Boise ID, in search of a better life. However for me the saga continued .As we grew older, fighting other cliques was a theme in our development. Battling depression, and being a vulnerable target for both attack, or bad influences had meat odds. Very soon I found martial arts, as an outlet, passion, and discipline. Starting in TKD and Wrestling this would be my saving grace. But my talents would shine both on the stage, and in the eyes of adversaries. Having so much anger, and aggression had motivated my ill intent in many situations. I would be susceptible to the wrong attention, and be easily manipulated.
After, countless violent and anger filled encounters growing up, and the evolutions of my training in martial arts, I found a new respect for the vulnerability of the human body. Finding resolve as my skills grew, and my successes in sport karate brought me positive attention. I could outlet my aggression in a safe place. By the early 2000s, my teenage years. I had wrestled for 9 years, and won several world and national championships in sports karate. This would solidify my pursuit as a life long martial artist. I would falter in the world of drugs, parties, and gangs by my early twenties. However having such a background and discipline would bring me the right focus. Where throughout my twenties I would have worked as a massage therapist, professional dancer, and owner operator of martial arts gyms.
The Next Phase
In 2013, with my business partner we had begun developing the worlds most contemporary system of full contact karate known as Rhno Ryu. Though still so young and never feeling satisfied with my abilities or accomplishments, I could not stay settled in my home town. Resulting in me leaving my MMA gym. Thailand was calling my name, but before I could make the leap, I would head back to California. There, training in BJJ and MMA, couch surfing, living homeless, hustling and working. I would have to accomplish the mission of training and fighting in Thailand, by any means necessary.
Arriving in Thailand by 2016 with no plans to leave. Here I would find a greater understanding of my skills, and take my martial arts system to the next level. I dedicated myself to Muay Thai for two years, training full time 4-6 hours per day, six days per week. Having 7 Muay Thai bouts in that time, with a record of 4:3. By 2018, I would meet my to be wife. Needing to lay roots to stay in Thailand indefinitely, I hung up my gloves, and took up being a school teacher. Fulfilling financial voids felt by the humble life of a fighter, I could now afford comforts never before experienced. I fell in love with motorcycle riding, ultimately leading me into a life changing accident in 2019. Believing I could never train martial arts again. The incident lead me to know my then girlfriend, would be my wife. It would be a rocky couple years through covid and recovering my body fully from my injuries. After marriage my wife and I decided to start a family.
Healing With Patience and Purpose
My first born daughter was born in 2021, igniting a fire. After pregnancy, my wife would need to rehab. I had recovered enough that I was cycling and hitting the heavy bag again. So we decided to hire one of my former Muay Thai trainers to work with us. Now being pushed to do what I thought wouldn’t be possible, my passion was alive again. We would then pursue opening a dojo, and have been training and developing the style, brand, and business ever since. In 2024 our second born daughter arrived. I had vowed my life to sobriety, and decided it would be time to get back in the ring after not fighting for six years. At the age of 37 I won my 8th Muay Thai fight in Thailand.
In 2025 we are blessed living our lives by our own rules. Guided by the values of Rhino Ryu, and representing a lifestyle that attracts like minded people. My life would not be meaningful without sharing it with my family as a unit. My thanks to God everyday for my beautiful blessings.
Lets see where the next chapter brings us.
