Hi! I'm from the great Pacific Northwest, specifically a suburb of Portland, Oregon. I have lived in the Portland metro area for my whole life and now I'm starting to travel the world over. I work as a mortgage protection consultant/licensed field underwriter.

I'm passionate about volunteering, helping other people, learning new things, sports, hiking, photography, starting businesses and reading. Anything that I can do to improve myself (whether it be my mindset, skills, physical condition) so that I may be more effective in helping other people is something that I will do.

I'm a former atheist and now devout Christian. I cannot even begin to describe the monumental changes and blessings that have occurred in my life as a result of the freely given grace that a wretched person like me was given. I owe my whole life and every part of it to Jesus and, while I fail consistently (Jeremiah 17:9), attempt to live in the most loving and Scriptural manner that I can.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

For years I had worked anywhere from 60-90 hours/week in pursuit of that ever-elusive "success" I had heard people yearning for. But then, after missing work due to an injury leading to an abrupt firing from a "good" job, I came to the realization that that was not how life was meant to be lived. Then I stumbled across internet marketing and partnered up with a great friend, mentor and business partner. While that business failed it taught me a lot of lessons that I am now applying to my new ventures. I'm excited to meet you and get to make new friends and help people all along the way of this crazy journey that we call life.

Interests

Well, I've covered this already (as I tend to get a bit ahead of myself) but I love learning and helping people. I also love sports including, but not limited to, water polo, basketball, volleyball, football, racing, bicycling, sailing, wake boarding, skiing.

Otherwise I'm passionate about reading, writing, photography, missionary work, teaching other people new skills, starting businesses, watching a movie, hiking to the top of a mountain, playing with dogs, playing with little kids, hugging a friend in need and so much more.

• dogs
• writing
• photography
• cooking
• reading
• traveling
• investing
• hiking
• sailing
• skiing
• atheism
• sports
• basketball
• soccer
• volleyball
• water polo
• business
• volunteering

Music, Movies, and Books

My favorite music has to be Christian Rock. A couple of my favorites songs are Grace Like Rain (Todd Agnew) and Sweetly Broken.

Books! I have read so many books that I can't list them here but one of my all time favorites (asides from the Holy Bible) is How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. I was a jerk before reading this book and when I read it it led me to be introspective about my life and how I treated others. The lessons in this book have had a huge impact on my life and I cannot express enough gratitude to the late Dale Carnegie for his lifeworks.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I went on a mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico in June of 2013 with Amor Ministries in order to build homes for impoverished families. It was the experience of a lifetime working along side the locals to improve the community and getting to build relationships with the kids and the parents of the families we were helping. Part of my heart will always reside in Valle Verde (basically the suburb of Tijuana that we were in) and I look forward to going back there.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach people about business, about sales, about brainstorming techniques and a lot more. I can also help people create processes to help work through problems and make their lives better.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share lessons that I've learned. I can cook good healthy meals. I can share a laugh. I can help out around the house and generally be a good friend and guest. I believe in treating all those I come in contact with with the utmost respect and I will definitely do so for anyone who is generous enough to allow me to be a guest in their home.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Mexico

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States