On June 28th, 2025, what started as a normal day quickly turned into a life-altering event. While working out at VASA Fitness in New Berlin, Wisconsin, I suffered a sudden cardiac arrest—an event that, for many, offers little to no warning and even less time to react. In that moment, everything stopped. My heart ceased functioning, and without immediate intervention, the outcome could have been very different. Thanks to the rapid response and heroic actions of off duty EMTs, a Lifeline Defibtech AED, and those around me, my life was saved. Their ability to act quickly, perform life-saving measures, and stabilize me before transport made all the difference—and it’s something I will never take for granted.

What followed was a 16-day journey in the hospital that tested me physically, mentally, and emotionally. During that time, I underwent a quadruple bypass surgery to restore proper blood flow to my heart—an intense and complex procedure that quite literally gave me a second chance. Shortly after, I also received an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD), a device designed to monitor and correct dangerous heart rhythms, providing an added layer of protection moving forward. The days in the hospital were filled with uncertainty, pain, and reflection—but also gratitude, resilience, and an overwhelming appreciation for the medical teams who guided me through every step of survival and stabilization.

Today, I’m focused on recovery—not just returning to where I was, but becoming stronger, more intentional, and more aware of what truly matters. This experience reshaped my perspective on health, family, and purpose. It reinforced the importance of discipline, not just in fitness, but in how we take care of our bodies and manage stress. Recovery is a process, and I’m taking it one day at a time—celebrating small wins, rebuilding strength, and staying committed to a healthier future. I’m incredibly grateful to be here, to have more time with my wife Amy and my son Zander, and to continue living life with a renewed sense of purpose and appreciation.