| What is your most memorable childhood experience? | My favorite childhood memory was my birthday during spring break in fifth grade. We spent the day at SeaWorld, and it honestly felt like the perfect day from start to finish. We got to the park about thirty to sixty minutes before it opened and waited at the gates. As soon as they opened, my parents let my older brother and I run straight to Kraken, which was the tallest and fastest ride in the park. You can imagine two young boys sprinting through the park, trying to be the first in line for a giant roller coaster. We rode it, loved it, and spent the rest of the day going from ride to ride with my siblings. Later on, we went to an orca show. I happened to be doing a school project on orcas at the time, and my parents talked to some of the staff. They actually let me go backstage, or at least to a side area, to talk with the trainers. I got to ask them questions about caring for orcas and learning things I could use for my project. It felt like being a VIP. Between it being my birthday, seeing orcas up close and personal, and riding roller coasters all day, I was already having an incredible day. And then it somehow got even better. That night, the college basketball national championship was on, and I was a huge fan of one of the teams playing. My dad and I watched the game in our hotel room. My team won and sharing that moment with him — both of us so happy — is something I’ll never forget. It was just a perfect day with my family and one of those childhood memories that stick with you forever. |
| What immediate family member do you closely identify with and why? | The family member I identify with most is my mom. She passed away, but I still see so much of her in the way I move through the world. We were very similar in how we talked, how we connected with people, and how much we cared about staying close to the people in our lives. My mom was the kind of person who would pick up the phone just to check in on a friend or a sibling because she genuinely cared. I have always been the same way. My brother even told me once that I remind him of her because I always call to keep people close, and that meant a lot to me because she was someone I looked up to. She loved hosting and creating space for others. Her favorite symbol was the pineapple because it represents welcome and hospitality. That spirit of wanting people to feel included and cared for is something I try to carry on. One thing she always said was to choose joy. She lived that every day, and even though I do not always choose joy as naturally as she did, it is something I try to embody. Identifying with her means trying to show up for others with the same warmth, intention, and kindness that she brought into every moment. with that because I want to choose joy and choose joy more often and I believe that people should as well because we'd be much happier and like my mom in life too. |
| What character traits do you admire in an individual? | One trait I value deeply in people is agreeableness. I have always been drawn to individuals who are kind, cooperative, and grounded in a sense of humility. People who do not take themselves too seriously tend to be more aware of their own imperfections, and that awareness often leads to genuine care for others. When someone can laugh at themselves, it shows openness, curiosity, and a willingness to grow. It also creates space for real connection. I know I can relax around a person like that, share a conversation, ask for advice, and trust that they are not approaching everything with defensiveness or ego. Agreeable people are usually thoughtful and open-minded, and that makes them easy to talk to and easy to be around. Those qualities matter to me because they create relationships built on kindness, understanding, and the ability to learn from one another. |
| What is the funniest thing ever to happen to you? | Two funny moments stand out to me, one from recently and one from many years ago. The recent one happened when I decided to try cold plunging. My older brother swore by it, and it seemed like everyone was talking about the health benefits, so I gave it a shot. After two days in a row of cold plunges, I woke up to realize that I had peed my bed. It happened again the following night, and that was the end of my cold plunge journey. Any time someone tells me about how life-changing cold plunging is, I tell them that my only real benefit was a very unexpected trip back to childhood. The other story is from many years ago. Back when social media was easy to mess with and Craigslist was in its prime, I played a harmless prank on a friend by changing his Facebook profile picture. He decided to get even in a way that I can now admit was clever. He posted an ad for my car, a used Chevy Malibu, and made it sound like it was in perfect condition. He listed it for under one thousand dollars and used my phone number in the ad. For the next few days, I must have received around fifty calls and texts each day from people trying to buy the car. I was completely confused until I went over to his house and told the story. He and my other friends started laughing the moment I said the words Craigslist ad, and that is when I knew I had been had. It was a great prank, even if it drove me crazy at the time. |
| If time and money were not an issue, where would you travel and why? | If time and money were not an issue, I would travel through South Asia. I have always been drawn to the culture and the people, especially in places like the Philippines, where the reputation for joy and kindness is something that has always stayed with me. I love the flavors in the food, the amazing coastline, and the natural beauty of the beaches, mountains, and forests. Part of the pull for me is the chance to experience a way of life that is very different from my own. I enjoy learning how other people live, what they value, and how they find happiness in their daily routines. Being in a place that feels far removed from western culture would be exciting and meaningful because it would challenge me to see the world through a new lens. I would also want to explore India. The scale of the country, the history, the architecture, and the energy of everyday life are all things I would love to experience in person. There is so much beauty and depth in that part of the world, and I would want to take the time to really understand it. In short, I would go to South Asia to connect with people, to learn from a culture very different from my own, and to take in the incredible landscapes and food that the region is known for. |
| When and if you ever have children, what would you like to pass on to them? | More than anything, I want my kids to grow into good humans. I know that sounds simple, but I truly believe in the idea of treating others the way you want to be treated. When that is your foundation, you naturally grow into someone who is kind, curious, polite, welcoming, and open minded. Those qualities take you far in life, and they help you build strong, genuine relationships. Beyond that, I hope to share some of the things I love most. Cooking is a big part of who I am, and it is how I connect with people. Cooking a meal for someone you care about is such a meaningful way to show love. It worked on my wife, and it continues to be one of my favorite ways to make others feel valued. I want my kids to grow up comfortable in the kitchen, both so they can share that joy with others and, on a lighter note, so that one day when I am older, I can come to their home and have them cook for me. I also hope to pass on my love of sports. They were a huge part of my childhood and something I shared with both my parents. Playing, watching, and talking sports brought us together, and it taught me teamwork, resilience, and how to enjoy life in simple ways. I would love for my kids to feel that same sense of connection and excitement. In the end, I hope my children grow up to be kind, grounded, and curious about life, with passions that bring them joy and bring them closer to the people they love. |
