I think my heart will always be for climbing (mostly).
For nearly 20 years, I trained, traveled, and coached nonstop. Even injuries couldn’t keep me away for long. I couldn’t imagine life without it—until 2019, when I started feeling the itch to try something new. Not to quit climbing, but to explore a different kind of training.
As a kid, I watched boxing with my stepdad—fighters like De La Hoya, Camacho, Chavez, and Tyson. I didn’t fully understand what I was seeing, but the intensity stuck with me.
In my 20s, I joined a non-contact boxing class at Garden Home Rec Center. We trained like boxers in every way but sparring. I was hooked by the workouts, the mitt rhythm, and the mechanics behind every punch. I had no idea how technical it was. Eventually, I joined the sparring classes, training with amateur and pro hopefuls under Bill Mertz.
Though life pulled me in another direction, that early experience stayed with me. Years later, I joined Sweet Science in North Portland. Coach Laurie Gold ran 6 a.m. classes, and I loved her style—focused, supportive, sharp. She taught me how to spar and always stayed after class to help anyone wanting more.
Sweet Science didn’t survive the pandemic. In my heart, it closed in March 2020, even though it briefly reopened. I kept training solo for a year, repeating Laurie’s workouts from photos of the whiteboard.
In 2021, I landed at McConnell’s Boxing Academy. New members started in cardio boxing, and fatefully, I recognized the owner—Molly McConnell, a world champion I remembered from the Rec Center days.
After a few classes, she invited me into the skills program. I think she saw my curiosity and commitment. Before long, I was training alongside amateur and pro fighters. The vibe was different—more intense, more demanding—and I loved it.
Then one night, Molly texted to ask if I’d like to work with other boxers. I still don’t know how the idea came up, but I didn’t hesitate. Since 2021, I’ve been coaching beginner and intermediate boxers at MBA.
It’s been a powerful way to connect with people outside the climbing world. Teaching the sweet science has deepened my appreciation for the craft, the focus, and the patience it takes to improve.
Boxing, like climbing, is often misunderstood. People see the impact, not the intellect. But if you’ve never stepped inside a boxing gym—or only know it from TV—you’re missing out on one of the most fun, cerebral, and humbling challenges out there.
If you’re curious, reach out. Alongside my climbing work, I remain a trainer and athlete at MBA—and I’d love to see you in the ring.
