The Story of Grind U
The Grind U idea was born during my days with the Steelers, but the mentality was with me my entire life.
When I was 5 years old my grandparents took in me and my 2 siblings under one roof. I learned first hand what hard work, commitment, and dedication to something you love looked like. Ever since I was 8, my goal was to play in the NFL, make it out of Collingdale, PA, and give back as much as I could to my grandparents for sacrificing their life for me, my brother and sister. Flash forward to 2013 and I was the Middle Linebacker at The University of Pittsburgh. I was never the fastest or the strongest, but my on the field play helped me finish top 20 All Time in tackles at Pitt by the time I graduated in 2016...
I thought my production on the field at Pitt would help me get drafted late or at least be signed as an undrafted free agent. Neither scenarios happened. I felt disrespected. After leaving the Kansas City Chiefs Rookie Mini Camp as a "try-out" player empty handed, the Pittsburgh Steelers invited me to their Rookie Camp the following week. Before I left for Pittsburgh, my grandma, knowing this could be the last time I touched the football field, told me, "What's to be, will be. Just go out there and have fun."
I dominated the Rookie Mini Camp, signed a contract to the 90 man roster and began battling in training camp for the 53 man roster. September 1st, 2017 I was cut and re-signed to the 10 man Practice Squad, which no one expected me to make, besides myself. I proceeded to get cut after 2 weeks on the Practice Squad, signed back 3 weeks later, and then was cut again the second day back after tearing my calf at practice. This moment in time was the lowest point of my life. Injured, depressed and wondering how this could happen to me after never getting injured in my entire life. In a matter of weeks I went through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.
I battled through Physical Therapy, with the original goal in mind, my "why", of making the team and providing resources to make my grandmother's life easier. In 2018 I was signed back to Steelers, went through training camp, and was eventually cut again at the end of camp.
All in all I played in 8 preseason games, made the practice squad in 2017, cut 4 separate times, battled back from injury, and finally retired in the fall of 2018 to begin my life post football.
Grind U was the mentality the entire journey.
Present Day I continue to compete at a high level in mostly Hybrid Racing. It's one of the best ways to test both endurance and strength. Continue to push yourself, get out of your comfort zone, and dominate the day.
Hyrox New York Men's Pro 2023 (1:24:04)
North East Deka Fit 2023 (38:49)
Philly Half Marathon 2023 (1:50:55)