My martial arts journey started when I was 19 years old in the fall of 2009, 6 years before I joined Tri State Mixed Martial Arts. In the years leading up to me finding martial arts, I struggeld with dyslexia and my mental health. In school, I was bullied profusely and would often miss weeks of school at a time. In my Jr. Year in high school, life took a sharp turn. At that moment I realized I did not like the person I was. I made a choice to do... to be better. Martial Arts saved my life. In February 2016, I joined Tri State. The moment I walked through those doors I knew this school was something special! I was in awe at the professionalism of the staff, the culture, and the school as a whole. I joined that day! After some time training at Tri State, Sifu Jeff offered me a position as an assistant instructor. It has been such an honor teaching. Teaching was very new to me and I was a bit nervous at first. Sifu Jeff gave me a gift to help kids, the kind of help I wish I had when I was their age. My hope is to be a positive influence to others the way Sifu Jeff has been to me. Tri State is home!