My Hobbies & Interests
Acoustic Music
Music has always been a cornerstone of my life. While in college, I fell in love with acoustic music, specifically bluegrass and Americana, drawn to their rich history and raw, heartfelt sound. Over the years, I’ve immersed myself in the genre, learning to play the mandolin and guitar, two instruments that have become extensions of my creativity. Whether I’m working on intricate melodies, practicing improvisation techniques, or playing with others, I’m constantly inspired by the challenge and joy that music brings.
As a member of Rare Bird Alert, I’ve had the opportunity to share this passion with audiences at local events, parties, and gatherings. Playing live, especially in the improvisational spirit of bluegrass, has deepened my connection to the music and its traditions. While I’ve learned countless songs, I’m continually expanding my repertoire, always looking to add new tunes to my jam sessions. Music isn’t just a hobby - it’s a way to connect with others, celebrate the present, and honor a deeply rooted American art form.
Trail Running
Running is a part of how I spend my free time. My terrain of choice is rocky terrain through the woods of the Appalachians, though you can still find me doing speed work on the roads on occasion. I've raced plenty of races, from 5Ks (PR 17:31), to half marathons (PR 1:27:26), and marathons (PR 3:08:58).
Ultrarunning, the sport of running events longer than a typical 26.2 mile marathon, was a big part of my life. As an accomplished runner, I've completed eight marathons (26.2 mi), twelve 50Ks (31.1 mi), three 40 milers, two 50 milers, and two 100Ks (62.2 mi).
And while I continue to run today for the love of the sport (and for mental and physical health benefits), my ultrarunning has taken a backseat to other pursuits (it takes a fantastic amount of commitment to racing ultramarathons!). However, I wouldn't be the person I am today without having participated in this sport with the intensity that I did.
Storm Chasing
I've been fascinated by weather since I was a kid. I grew up glued to The Weather Channel. Jim Cantore was my idol. In college, I was one meeting away from switching majors from Business Management to Earth and Atmospheric Sciences.
One spring afternoon in 2012, I came to the realization that Colorado is on the western edge of tornado alley. Since then, I've devoted much of my free time studying weather, chasing high plains storm setups, and obsessing over various kinds of cloud species and varieties. I love weather (and specifically cloud identification) so much, I've recently launched What's This Cloud.
I'm an active participant in the NWS SKYWARN Storm Spotter Program and have chased four tornadoes in Colorado since 2015. Here are some of my albums and videos from storm events I witnessed:
Photography
I’ve recently taken up photography, primarily focusing on nature photography, specifically birds and landscapes. I’ve always been a birdwatcher and I spend a lot of time outside, so I thought I’d marry these activities with photography.