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I was born in Tarzana, California on August 6, 1983. For as long as I can remember, I had a tennis racket in my hand and began competing in tournaments at the age of five.
My entire life revolved around this sport and it was, without a doubt, my identity.
After a successful junior career, during which I was ranked as high as #1 in the country in both singles and doubles, I enrolled at UCLA at just 16 years old.
At the time, I was the youngest Division 1 athlete ever, a title I wore with pride. However, my ambition went beyond college athletics. I had my heart set on playing professional tennis.
After completing my first season at UCLA, I underwent my first elbow surgery.
Despite this setback, I was determined, perhaps stubbornly so, and decided to leave school after my sophomore year to pursue a professional tennis career.
In just my third tournament as a professional, I won a Futures event (the tennis equivalent of AAA baseball).
I felt I was on my way. However, complications soon followed. After my first year on tour, I needed a second elbow surgery to address issues with my ulnar nerve.
Despite these challenges, I still had hope and ambition. I played professionally for nearly a decade but eventually retired in March 2012.
My career-high world rankings were #57 in doubles and #273 in singles. I competed in all the Grand Slam tournaments and even won a tour event in 2010, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of failure.
Over the next ten years, I turned to teaching tennis. Although I had some wonderful students, I felt disillusioned with the sport. I began to resent tennis, but it remained my best marketable skill. So, I kept teaching.
In 2017, I moved to Florida for a teaching job, and the following year, my daughter Rowyn, the greatest gift of my life, was born.
I made a commitment to her: I would sacrifice my own happiness for her long-term well-being. Growing up, my family’s home was foreclosed upon, and I was determined she would never experience that hardship.
On paper, everything looked perfect. I had a beautiful home with a tennis court, a wife, and a young daughter. But beneath the surface, I was deeply unhappy. I weighed just 164 pounds (well below my usual 190) and struggled to find a reason to wake up each morning.
In 2021, my life took another difficult turn when I went through a painful divorce. During this period, I stayed with a friend, Chris Marquez, in Saint Petersburg, Florida, about 30 miles from my job. One day, we decided to try pickleball at Crescent Lake Park.
I didn’t expect much from it, but the experience surprised me. I played with a 60-year-old woman who scolded me for taking her shots and not knowing how to keep score. For some reason, when the game ended, I knew I wanted to come back.
Soon, a new routine developed. I would finish work in Lakewood Ranch and drive to Crescent Lake, arriving around 5:30 PM. Night after night, I played until the lights went off. I made friends, laughed, and felt welcomed. For the first time in years, I was genuinely happy. What started as a fun hobby unexpectedly became a passion.
Through a stroke of luck, I met Graham Damico, and we quickly became close friends. Around the same time, I reconnected with an old friend, Dione Gonzales, whom I had dated at a tennis academy 25 years earlier.
Both Graham and Dione encouraged me to consider playing pickleball professionally. Graham and I also began exploring the possibility of buying a pickleball team.
After months of uncertainty, I faced a pivotal decision: Should I stay in a career teaching tennis, chasing superficial wealth, but feeling unfulfilled? Or should I take the risk of pursuing happiness, even if it meant living in a small apartment?
I realized that I wanted Rowyn to see a happy father. I wanted to teach her that happiness is more valuable than any amount of money in a bank account. So, in August 2022, I quit my job to pursue pickleball full-time.
Today, I am a part-owner of the Florida Smash, a team in Major League Pickleball (MLP). I am also the only owner-player in the league.
In March 2025, I will take on a new role as the resident pro at the Saint Pete Athletic indoor pickleball facility, where I am also a small investor.
Three years later, I still go to Crescent Lake several nights a week. I take great pride in being a professional who plays regularly with the 4.5-5.0 level players, my “homies.” These games remind me of the joy I found during one of the darkest times in my life.
I am forever grateful to Crescent Lake, the people I met there, and the sport of pickleball. If simply showing up to play makes someone feel valued or lucky, it’s a small price to pay.
My story is proof that it’s never too late to pursue happiness. Age or circumstance shouldn’t hold anyone back from finding joy. Through my struggles, I found a community and a passion I never expected.
I hope my journey inspires others to follow their true passions. I will always remain in debt to pickleball, Crescent Lake Park, and the city of Saint Petersburg for giving me a second chance at happiness.
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