My Story

From 357 Pounds to Strength and Confidence — Proof That Consistency Wins

I’ve been passionate about fitness since I was 14. For most of my life, working out was a part of my identity. But as my life became more chaotic—balancing the demands of being a head football coach and raising two busy kids—I let my fitness slip. I became sedentary, overate, and lost sight of what made me feel whole. My health deteriorated, and I was sleeping all day when I wasn’t working.
My kids begged me to get healthy, and a health scare involving chest pain and shortness of breath walking up stairs was a wake-up call. But the defining moment was seeing a picture of myself with my friend and our kids. That’s when I said, “Enough is enough.”

At 357 pounds, my knees hurt so badly that I could only start with slow walks. I focused first on my diet because exercise was so difficult. Gradually, I worked my way back into the gym, starting with cardio. Then I progressed to cardio and machines, and eventually I dove headfirst into strength training. It took about a year to build enough consistency to feel comfortable in the gym again. Overcoming that initial intimidation was key—by setting small, manageable tasks, I rebuilt my confidence one step at a time.

Losing the weight was a long process — it took over two years to lose 130 pounds and another two years to focus on body recomposition and strength. Early in my journey, I used a GLP-1 medication under the guidance of Dr. Derek Berbarian of North Jersey Health and Wellness to help control cravings and stabilize my diet. The medication helped me regain control over my eating habits and start seeing the scale move in the right direction. But the real transformation came through consistent training and disciplined nutrition over time.

Once my diet was under control, I focused on body recomposition—building muscle while shedding fat. From my background as a Physical Education and health teacher, I knew that muscle burns more calories at rest, so strength training became a priority. Through advancements in scientific research on strength training for people over 40, I knew it was essential to focus on muscle to optimize fat loss and overall health.

This was not a quick fix — I had to trust the process and understand that results wouldn’t come overnight. Patience became one of my biggest strengths. Small wins kept me motivated, and I followed the 80/20 rule to stay balanced—allowing a reward meal after staying on plan all week gave me something to look forward to. Tracking my food intake was a game-changer. I was shocked by how much I was really consuming until I started tracking my calories and macros.

My passion for fitness led me to take my knowledge to the next level. I’ve always had a strong background in training and nutrition—when I was younger, I was obsessed with reading muscle magazines, and as a coach, I always believed in the value of “always learning.” That mindset led me to pursue NASM certifications in Personal Training (CPT 7), Nutrition Coaching (CNC), and Weight Loss Specialization (WLS), which elevated my understanding of nutrition and training to an advanced level. Now, with the combination of personal experience and professional education, I have the knowledge to handle any situation.

My personal transformation gives me an edge as a coach. I’ve been through the struggle, made the mistakes, and overcome the challenges. I know how hard it is to juggle work, family, and health—especially for people over 40. If you don’t take care of your health, you can’t be your best for your family or career. My mission is to help others take back control of their health, build strength, and get their edge back. I want my clients to feel accomplished and healthy—and I’m here to guide them every step of the way.

But the real reason I started—and stayed committed—was my family. My wife Christine, my kids Nicholas and Olivia have been my biggest supporters from day one. They are the reason I said “enough is enough” and the reason I keep showing up. That’s why I named my coaching business CNO Edge Performance—because it’s built on family. Christine, Nicholas, and Olivia are my driving force. Getting healthy wasn’t just about losing weight; it was about creating a future where I could show up for them, be active with them, and grow old with them. My health gives me the longevity to be there for the people who matter most.

My coaching isn’t just about sets, reps, and macros—it’s about helping people reclaim their lives and rediscover their strength, just like I did. If you’re ready to get your edge back, I’d be honored to guide you on that journey.