I chose to quit drinking and found a new hobby to occupy my time: boxing. I had always loved fighting and enjoyed the physical and mental challenges of the sport. As I trained and lost weight, I realized I wanted to do more than just get fit.

In 2017, I bought a TITLE Boxing Club and continued to build my small business while training and competing in the St. Louis Golden Gloves Heavyweight master division. I was an OK fighter with a lot of heart, and I enjoyed the sport immensely.

When COVID-19 hit and forced me to close my gym, I refused to give up on my love for boxing. I found a new location outside of our non-compete radius and started BOX STL. My wife Sarah and I designed a more amateur boxing style workout with the help of our friends and business partners.

Despite the challenges we faced, I was motivated by my love for the sport and the positive impact it had on my life. I saw BOX STL not just as a gym, but as a community of fighters who supported each other both in and out of the ring.

Today, BOX STL has grown to over 300 adult students and 100 youth students. Sarah and I have created a place where people can not only improve their physical fitness, but also their mental health and life skills. We have built an odd little family of boxers who have brought joy and purpose to our lives.

While BOX STL has become my passion, I still run Hostirian today. It wasn’t easy, but we’ve had a full turnaround, and the company is now back to operating in profit and growing the business.

For me, boxing and running a successful business have a lot in common. They both require hard work, discipline, and the ability to take a hit and get back up. I may be an OK fighter with a lot of heart, but I know that I’ve found my calling in life, and that’s something truly special.