about me

You made it this far and you want to know more about me? Okay.. Not really a fan of writing about myself. Since you are here, I will give it a go.

Born and raised in Northern Kentucky [Greater Cincinnati for all you geography buffs] - I spent my childhood like most kids in the 80’s.. I rode my bike all over the place, played in the woods with my friends and my brothers, played soccer, attempted football, and went to school. I grew up with tons of love in a gigantic family - I have 5 siblings and both of my parents have 11. Never a dull moment.

For my teenage years I did the standard - went to high school, played soccer, wrecked a car [more on this one later - not your regular car accident by any means], went to college [hated college], partied, and had fun. While trying to figure out my life I fell into a career in the bar / restaurant / nightclub industry for most of 17 years. 

Bar life is hard. It took a toll on me and I hit my breaking point one day catapulting me back into school and the renaissance of my life. Bar life was a road I could no longer travel. Made some changes and found my way back to school thus opening the door to new things and more life than 80 hours and 7 hangovers a week could ever give me. 

Fast forward and here we are. After bouncing around between the west coast and east, I call New York City home. Career has pivoted to tech and I am the happiest I have ever been. Today, I am proud to say I am an Ironman, a great friend, an uncle, a citizen of the world [major wanderlust], and one hell of a doberman dad.

With Love - Z 

PS: During my life and travels on this beautiful planet - I’ve learned many things:

Life is full of choices. Every single choice may it be large or small keeps us on the path that is our life. Make good choices, surround yourself with people that inspire you, motivate you, and make you better today than you were yesterday. Fight for want you want and make sure you open your heart to love.

Be sure to always listen and don’t be afraid to speak.

But, please, for all of us.. Don’t ever be the loudest person in a room. The loudest person in a room is almost always the asshole. Yes, that means you’re the asshole if you’re the loudest in the room, no matter where you are.

A broken heart might be the worst pain one can endure. Its also a terribly long healing process - but, I promise you will get through it. It just downright sucks and mourning the loss of someone you love/d is painful for many days. Sometimes months [and years]. I lost my mother to breast cancer in 2016 and I am still in pain from the loss. It’s a pain you learn to live with…

It hurts when you fall down. A lot. God it hurts..Rest assured, the feeling of getting back up, chasing your dreams and achieving your goals might just be the best damn feeling that you’re able to feel. Seriously, reach for the stars, you’ll be surprised what you are capable of.

PPS: Read my blog about my first Ironman 70.3. It might change your perspective on everything.

Zachary was born and raised in Cincinnati, currently resides in New York City.

All photos by Zachary [unless noted].