Some people say I’m crazy. Some people admire the goal driven, self-motivated and committed individual that I am. My passion for health and fitness has been around for as long as I can remember. My love for cycling began 8 years ago when a close personal friend took me to the road for the first time and showed me what it really means to go out cycling. From then on, I was hooked and like so many, probably a little obsessed.

Torn between competitive bodybuilding and cycling, I chose to have the best of both. I cycled during off-season of weight training. So much for bulking up!

Over the last few years, I have answered the question, “Why?” many times. For as much as people are curious to understand the “why” and “where” I get my internal drive to succeed and do “stuff”, I wonder why not more people do. My answer is simple. “I do it because I can. I am young, healthy, fit and committed.” There is no time like the present. Waiting has never been a real strength of mine. Waiting for a better time is not the answer. Children diagnosed with cancer never get the chance to wait or to deal with it later. The time is now for everyone involved. If I can make a difference in the life of just one child today, then I see no reason to wait.

My involvement in the National Ride for Kids 2010 is unique for a few reasons. First of all, this is my first personal goal that does not revolve around me. It’s finally about someone else. Second, the real challenge that stands before me is a mental and emotional one. It’s the challenge of walking into Children’s Hospitals across the country and witnessing the “reality” of it all. My experiences with childhood cancer have all had positive outcomes. The drive behind this personal experience I am about to undertake is my desire to keep it that way. Personal stories must have happier endings. Children must be the ones to tell their own story. Children deserve the right to play, laugh, cry and live life to the fullest each and every single day. That is what I will fight for.

At the end of this journey, my experience will end. My physical pain will eventually go away. Not all children are that fortunate. For some children, the journey never ends. Even beyond cancer, the pain and suffering continues to eat away at their little bodies. It is through research, support programs and awareness that we can make a difference. Please join me and together, let’s try to make a significant difference. Please support me on my journey to making a child’s world a happier place to be. Please support the cause.