CURRENT MISSION

To squeeze every last juicy drop of experience out of life.

ABOUT ME

My best friends would say that I'm a pretty down-to-earth guy who's got a lot of drive to succeed and really cares about the people around him. It is my life's goal to join the medical community and have the letters M and D follow my name. I love to spend time outdoors and exploring new places, whether they be urban or rural. I'm really easy to get along with. I'm flexible, caring, and compassionate. I'm quick on my feet and always ready for a debate. I look for good wit and a good sense of humor in my friends. My newest hobby is whitewater kayaking and I spend most of my weekends out on the river (when work & school doesn't keep me away). In addition to kayaking, I like to climb, mountain bike, and do pretty much any other outdoor sport you can think of. I've always wanted to go ice climbing too but never done that. If you're in the Atlanta area and don't mind the drive, I would love to take you whitewater kayaking, especially if you've never gone before. I am a AWA Level 4 Whitewater Instructor and love to teach new folks. All you'd need is a car I can put two boats on top of!

PHILOSOPHY

Those who have experienced the most have had the best life It doesn't matter what kind of experience you've been able you've had but it matters what you get out of it. Go out there and experience the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I couchsurfed at a few places back in April 2012 when I was in Australia. I stayed with some really great people and want to have a similar experience while I'm living in Giessen, Germany this summer as part of a research abroad program.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I couchsurfed across Australia, stayed with 3 different hosts. Everyone I met was just amazing and I would love to have that experience again this summer when I am in Europe.

Interests

My life is defined by the time that I spend outdoors. I love to hike and camp, kayak and climb. I can get no greater feeling than I get from having climbed a peak or traversed a rapid. I'm always ready for an adventure. I spend my time hanging out with my friends, enjoying local scenery, and pursuing another yell of excitement or fit of hysterical laughter. Inner human complexity fascinates me. Why people are the way that they are is of infinite interest to me. If you're reading this, I can't wait to meet you just so that we can talk and I can try and figure you out. I'm always interested in bettering myself and giving to others.

• beauty
• instructor
• reading
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• kayaking
• camping
• sports
• rock climbing
• biology
• medicine
• sign language

Music, Movies, and Books

Airplane, Shawshank Redemption, The Last Samurai, Ken Follett, Michael Crichton, John Steinbeck

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

1) I spent a summer working at camp for children with serious illnesses, mental disabilities, and other special needs. While working there I met a kid named Damarius who had Sickle Cell Anemia. Kids with Sickle Cell suffer from terrible abdominal pain and other events called "blood attacks" where their blood will clot within their blood vessels and cause them very intense pain. Many of them die at an early age because of the complications that arise from the disease, depending on the severity. I was sitting down to talk to some of the kids when I really got to see the real strength of these kids. Damarius began telling me about one of his last visit to his Sickle Cell doctor. He told me that the doctor had accidentally let slip a comment about how short his life could be. Damarius looked down at first with sad eyes as he told me this but suddenly snapped his head back up and looked me dead in the eyes. "I'm going to live to be a hundred. And even if I don't, I will have lived as much as those that get the chance to". This 13 year old kid showed more determination and drive to really LIVE his life than I had ever seen in another human being.
2) I just had the opportunity to visit Milford South on the South Island of New Zealand. If you've never been there, google it and be awestruck. I have never been so amazed by natural beauty.
3) I watched a guy accidentally fall 35 feet from the top of a roof onto a wooden deck below. He fell nearly directly onto his back and was taken via ambulance and EMT to the hospital. An hour later he was discharged. He had suffered no injuries besides bruising to his ankles.

Teach, Learn, Share

American Sign Language
Outdoor skills- kayaking, climbing, camping, etc.
Biology
Biking

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Bahamas, France, Mexico, New Zealand, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Germany, United States