TRAINING: During school: I get up at 4:30, go and lift weights, shower and then teach school all day long.  Then I usually go and train right after school and then hit up some cardio at night.  I have to fit in being a dad and a husband all in a typical day. Not to mention that I am taking classes for my masters.  Summer is much better for me as I get up do some cardio or strength training with my kids at home.  Then I drop them off at daycare and go and train, lift weights after, then go and coach.  If I have nothing going on at night, then I get in another training session. 

When and why did you start training for fighting? I started training like 3 to 4 years ago.  I always wanted to compete in the UFC since I watched the very first one.  When I was in college I started really wanting to try it out, but there were no places to train by my school.  When I got a job teaching in Des Moines it opened the door for me to start training, and once I did, I was hooked.

What ranks and titles have you held? I am the Iowa Challenge Welterweight Champion

Do you have any heroes? Josh Neer - He was the first person I started training with.  All the men and woman that have sacrificed their lives for this country.

What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It is a dream come true; I used to tell people that I was going to fight there some day and when the call came in, I was speechless.

Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? I want to college for six years and got degrees in Biology, Conservation management, Secondary Education, and Middle School Education.  I am currently working on my Masters in Education Administration so I can become a Principal some day. 

What was your job before you started fighting? I am still a teacher with lots of bills to pay