“Maverick” is the word that best encapsulates my life, a journey marked by challenging expectations and transforming every “no” into a resounding “yes.” At the age of 15, a diving accident in the Bahamas resulted in a C6 quadriplegic diagnosis. What many perceived as a life-altering limitation, I embraced as a catalyst for transformation. That pivotal day, when I experienced clinical death for 2.5 minutes after drowning, became unexpectedly one of the most significant – and even most positive – days of my life.
This experience ignited an unyielding determination to shatter barriers. I relentlessly pursued success in the corporate world, achieved the extraordinary feat of becoming the world’s first quadriplegic rescue scuba diver, and conquered 12 marathons within a single year. My narrative transcends mere inspiration; it’s about proactive steps, about identifying “loopholes” to triumph over self-imposed and externally enforced limitations. This drive has been the engine behind my journey as a Car Driver and beyond.
In 2021, a thrilling new chapter began: car racing. Proximity to Lime Rock Park, a premier racing circuit, coupled with a lifelong passion for speed and a track-day experience gifted by my wife, Maggie, propelled me into this exhilarating realm. Racing became more than a sport; it symbolized ultimate freedom. Once secured in my hand-controlled Porsche GT4 Cayman Clubsport MR, the wheelchair is left behind, and I compete on equal footing with every other car driver. Since then, I’ve participated in prestigious series including International GT, SCCA, and the World Racing League, achieving podium finishes and opening unexpected doors. These opportunities include appearances in Pennzoil commercials, a brand ambassadorship with Volkswagen, and an exciting project launching in March, all highlighting my role not just as a driver, but as an adaptive athlete in the automotive world.
Beyond the racetrack, my career as a marketing strategist thrives, currently as Chief Marketing Officer at Aloqia. My professional journey includes leadership roles at Deloitte Consulting, J Walter Thompson, BBDO, and R/GA. I also co-founded the Just Hands Foundation, dedicated to introducing adaptive athletes to the empowering worlds of performance driving and mountain biking. My endeavors, both in the boardroom and behind the wheel as a dedicated car driver, are fueled by a deep desire to motivate. My aim is to provide not just inspirational concepts but actionable strategies for others to overcome their personal “wheelchairs,” whether visible disabilities or unseen obstacles, and to transform challenges into sources of strength.
Currently residing in Sharon, CT, with Maggie and our dog, Beau, I embrace life as an ongoing adventure. Through racing, public speaking, and sharing my story, I strive to demonstrate that limitations are often self-constructed illusions. Whether confronting physical disabilities, PTSD, relationship complexities, professional ambitions, or any other life challenge, the key lies in recognizing internal barriers, pushing beyond them, and wholeheartedly saying “yes” to the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.
