Together,
We Become More.

I believe courage, unity, and resilience can transform lives. My story began in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Chicago, but it’s never been just about me. It’s about what becomes possible when we rise together.

The Early Story

I know what it feels like to believe the world isn’t for you. I grew up on the West Side of Chicago, with addiction on every corner, violence in every direction, fear in every step.

Then I found rowing. Or maybe rowing found me.

That boat taught me resilience, unity, and the power of doing it afraid. It showed me that when people come together, no matter their background, everything changes.

The Breakthrough

That story became A Most Beautiful Thing, a bestselling book, an award-winning documentary, and now a movement.

It was produced by people like Common, Dwyane Wade, and Grant Hill. But what matters more is the impact: communities across the country saw themselves in that boat. They saw what’s possible when we row forward together.

Expanding the Mission

Since then, I’ve carried this message from:

Turning fear into courage
Rowing together, not alone
Owning your seat and your strength
Thriving as part of something bigger

And everywhere I go, the truth is the same: courage is contagious, unity heals divides, and hope in motion transforms lives.

This message isn’t just for athletes, or executives, or one community.

It’s for all of us. Because together, we become more.

Why Let Me Be Real With You Matters

I believe in being real because hiding doesn’t heal us, and pretending doesn’t move us forward.

That’s why I wrote my new book, Let Me Be Real With You.

It’s part memoir, part guide, and all heart. In these pages, I share the messy, honest parts of my story and the lessons I’ve learned about courage, unity, and wellness that can change your story, too.

You’ll discover: