If you’ve ever been told your asthma means you can’t compete, train hard, or push your limits—you’re not alone. I was that kid. At age four, my doctor sat me down and told me I’d never play the sport I loved most: soccer. My lungs were supposedly too weak. I should find something “less intense.” But instead of shrinking my dreams, I chose a different path—one shaped by movement, mindset, and an unwavering belief in possibility.

Today, I’m an elite ultra-endurance athlete (with asthma) who regularly runs 50-mile and 100K races at altitude, asthma and all. And in this blog post, YouTube video (linked here), and podcast episode (find it here to listen to during your next run/workout), I’m sharing five of my biggest fitness accomplishments—plus the three simple, powerful principles that helped me turn childhood limitations into lifelong strength. Whether you live with asthma or just want to see what’s possible when you stop making excuses, this story is for you.

Fitness Achievement #1: 15 Years of Competitive Soccer—Without the Inhaler

Soccer was everything to me as a kid. It gave me purpose, joy, and connection. So when my doctor told me I shouldn’t play, it was crushing. Thankfully, my parents believed in a different story. They supported me in finding holistic treatments and doctors who saw asthma not as a stop sign, but as a variable to be managed.

What followed was a 15-year career playing soccer year-round as a starting player—all the way through high school. There were tournaments with 5, 6, even 7 games in a weekend. And by the end, I barely needed my inhaler. That foundational movement, breath control, and exposure to cardiovascular conditioning set the stage for everything else to come.

Fitness Achievement #2: Biking 110 Miles with 10,000 Feet of Climbing

In my 20s, cycling became my obsession. My dad was a serious cyclist, and I followed in his tire tracks (now that's a good pun). Eventually, I completed one of my biggest feats: a grueling 110-mile ride with over 10,000 feet of elevation gain through the rugged roads of the Colorado Rockies. The terrain was brutal—cracked pavement, high altitude, and almost no shoulder in parts.

At mile 70, I wanted to quit. At mile 90, something in me woke up. I finished strong, sprinting the last 10 miles with nothing but breath and willpower fueling me. Not once did I need my inhaler. That day taught me that asthma doesn’t define your ceiling—your mindset does.

Fitness Achievement #3: Climbing 30+ Fourteeners

Colorado has over 50 peaks that rise above 14,000 feet. I’ve summited more than 30 of them. That might sound like a bucket list goal—but it’s more than that. I’m afraid of heights. I also get vertigo. And I have asthma. But I’ve still done it—because the only way to manage fear is to face it with intention, preparation, and support.

Not every climb was smooth. On Missouri Mountain, I experienced a panic attack and asthma flare mid-descent. I asked a fellow hiker for help and made it down safely. I don’t sugarcoat these moments—but they didn’t stop me either. Each summit strengthened my lungs and my spirit.

Fitness Achievement #4: The CorePower Yoga Ultra Marathon

I created my own ultra-marathon. It combined 26.84 miles of running with two heated CorePower Yoga Sculpt classes in one day. I ran from my home to the studio, took a class, ran more miles, took another class, and ran home—all in under 8 hours.

This fusion of endurance and breath-based movement helped me redefine what I was capable of. It also marked the turning point when I began to identify as an ultra runner—not just an athlete who could “get by,” but one who could thrive.

Fitness Achievement #5: Winning the Bear Chase 100K

In 2024, I crossed the finish line of a 100K ultra and placed 1st male, 2nd overall. That race was the culmination of years of work, thousands of miles, and complete belief in my strategy. I’d lost 40 pounds. I hadn’t had an asthma flare-up in months. I was dialed in on breathwork, nutrition, and recovery.

I also went alcohol-free in the months leading up to the race—something I credit with faster recovery, deeper sleep, and greater consistency. Every element of my life was optimized. And it worked.

Principle 1: Progressive Overload (It Works for Lungs Too)

Progressive overload isn’t just for the gym. It applies to breath control and cardio too. Whether it was running, biking, or playing soccer, I gradually increased the intensity and duration of my efforts. When I was younger, that meant delaying the use of my inhaler during soccer practice—first by 5 minutes, then 10, then 30. Eventually, I didn’t need it at all during games.

Your body—and lungs—adapt to the challenges you give it. Start with walking. Add a few jogging intervals. Over time, your baseline will rise. That’s the magic of progressive overload.

Principle 2: Consistency Builds Capacity

I didn’t become an elite athlete in a month. It took years of steady movement—thousands of miles run, biked, and hiked. Consistency is the compounding interest of fitness. Miss a few days? No problem. Miss a few months? You’ll feel it.

With asthma, the stakes are even higher. Going inactive for just a week or two makes my lungs feel tighter. But with regular breath-focused training, I feel strong, energized, and balanced. The key is showing up—especially when it’s hard.

Principle 3: Never Give Up—Even If You Have to Start Over

In 2022, I was 40 pounds heavier and finished my second marathon slower than my first. It hurt—physically and emotionally. But I didn’t give up. I leaned into my Three Pillars of Healthy Living: Movement, Tracking, and Accountability. I lost the weight. I kept it off. And I transformed my performance.

By 2023, I ran my first 50-miler. By 2024, I won my 100K. The difference wasn’t talent—it was persistence.

Final Thoughts and Healthy Living Guide

Your asthma doesn’t disqualify you from greatness. It just means you need to train smarter, recover better, and focus more on breath. The principles I’ve shared—progressive overload, consistency, and never giving up—can work for anyone. They’re how I went from a wheezing kid on the sidelines to the front of the pack.

And if you want to start your journey today, grab my free Healthy Living Guide. It’s the exact framework I used to lose weight, breathe easier, and run farther than I ever thought possible.

DISCLAIMER: THIS INFORMATION IS MY OPINION AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER. PLEASE CONSULT A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER FOR GUIDANCE SPECIFIC TO YOUR CASE.