My Story
MY INTRODUCTION TO ROWING:
I was born in Miami Beach, Florida, in March 1993. But I didn’t learn about the sport of rowing until I was 17, when I watched “The Social Network” movie in 2010. The Henley Royal Regatta scene was so cool, I was instantly hooked on the sport. Having no connection to a club near me, my goal was to walk onto the Men’s Rowing Program at Syracuse University (I already committed to Syracuse to study Architecture). I’d always been an avid runner, but I started weightlifting and immediately focused on arms and upper body (a classic mistake since rowing is such a leg-dominated sport).
MY ATHLETIC AND ROWING HISTORY:
Fall 2011: I tried out and successfully walked onto the Division 1 - Men’s Rowing Program at Syracuse University. Admittedly, due to the intense architecture coursework, I could not continue both architecture and rowing. I was cut from the team. In hindsight, this setback forced me to improve my time management skills.
Spring 2011: Joined the Syracuse University Triathlon Club. Won my first triathlon (“Chasing Chicken Triathlon” in Richmond, Virginia). I continued erging (indoor rowing) knowing I’d try out again for crew.
Fall 2013-Spring 2014: I retried out and successfully made it back onto the Men’s Rowing Program at Syracuse University. During this time, I trained crew Monday-Saturday (double practice sessions on Tuesday and Thursdays), then raced a Sprint or Olympic distance triathlon every Sunday. This routine went on for 10 weeks. A friend of mine dared me to run a full marathon on a 2-day’s notice. I committed to it, signed up on Friday, raced the ‘Empire State Marathon’ on Sunday, and completed 26.2 miles in 3 hours 44 minutes (no taper, no game plan, just send it).
Summer 2014: I joined Hollywood Rowing Club in Hollywood, Florida and I learned how to scull (by this point, I only had experience in sweeping from college).
Fall 2014: I studied abroad in Florence, Italy, and joined the Società Canottieri Florence (Florence Rowing Club), where I improved my sculling technique. I could barely row a single in all honesty. I also ran the Florence Marathon in just under 4 hours.
Spring 2016-2019: Graduated from the #2-ranked college in the U.S. with a professional Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch) degree; dedicated myself to taking the architecture licensing exams over the years while erging, rowing, and running independently without concrete training goals. I ran the NYC marathon. At this point, I was just trying to balance a career and life responsibilities. I entered various rowing sprint regattas and enjoyed competing. I placed 6th in the nation at Master Nationals in 2017 in the AA1x. I placed 3rd in the nation at Master Nationals in 2018 in the AA2x. I gained more comfort in the single, and my competitive fire was still alive.
January 2020-December 2020: I was working as an Architectural Designer at a well-known Healthcare Architecture firm, and ironically, I was laid off during the global COVID pandemic. This led me to focus on studying for my architectural licensing exams full-time. I balanced indoor bike erging with studying. By December 2020, I had taken and passed all six (6) architecture licensing exams - I could officially and legally call myself an “Architect.”
February 2021: While the State of Florida took 3 months to process my license, I tried out for the U.S. National Rowing Team in Sarasota, Florida. I knew I had no business being there, but I wanted to see where I’d stack up against the best in the nation. I completed the time trial and did not advance to the heats. In fact, I came in second to last. Nonetheless, it was an eye-opening experience for me. I saw what the standard was. I learned once again that life is about trying, failing, and trying again.
October 2021: I competed in Head of the Schuylkill in the 1x, Head of the Charles in the Men’s Club 4+, and Head of the Hooch 1x back to back to back. 3 races in 3 cities, in 3 weekends.
September 2022: I participated in a weeklong rowing camp in Craftsbury, Vermont. I met and learned from former Olympic medalists and World Champions. And I won the “Head of the Hosmer” regatta that week.
January 2024 -July 2024: I hired an elite rowing coach. I increased my fitness and mental strength. I competed at Master Nationals/Rowfest and placed 3rd in the nation in the Mixed B 8+ event.
July 2025: I competed at Master Nationals/Rowfest and placed 1st in the nation in the Men’s A 8+ event.
CONCLUSION:
In short, I failed more times than I’ve won. But after each fail, I came back with more experience and a sharper resolve. I continue to try again and again. Failure doesn’t shake me anymore. I’m the best sculler I’ve ever been, and I’m seeking my hardest challenge ever.
I am a hardworking athlete with a dream, a goal, and a plan. I am betting on myself. If you’ve ever had to balance a sport and your career, I hope this story relates to you. And if this story resonated with you, I’d love your support.