“I had humble beginnings in a small college football town in northern Indiana, just 6 miles from the Notre Dame campus. In 2009, I moved to San Diego with nothing but a backpack at the age of 19, and started piercing people regularly (and unprofessionally) in 2010. After much persistence, I landed a shaky and brief apprenticeship in the gaslamp, and for the most part struggled through my formative years in piercing figuring things out for myself. If it hadn’t been for various mentors and continuing education through various professionals such as Ryan Oulette and the Association of Professional Piercers (nonmember), I wouldn’t be the technically proficient professional I am today. I started working at Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing in December 2012, and never looked back.  I’ve pierced between 40,000 and 50,000 people in my professional career as of 2026, and plan on piercing for the foreseeable future. Piercing is a big part of me, it’s given me a lot in life and I try to pay that forward with my best efforts. Originally, I was drawn to piercing as an opportunity to live and work in a hub of counterculture, quickly embracing the “rockstar persona” as do so many who find themselves in our industry. Today my perspective is much different, piercing is  more than just a hole; it highlights an experience, a connection, an opportunity to make someone see themselves as they envision, and for some, it underscores part of a deeper healing process or a marker of their journey through life. I don’t necessarily have a specialty, as I enjoy doing all types of piercings ranging from  curated ear projects and bold facial piercings to the wholesome experience of children’s lobes. As for my personal life, I am a biology student and a conservationist, a husband, and a father of two (9 year old son and 16 year old daughter). I reside in La Mesa with my wife and children as well as our 3 dogs, 2 pigs, and our flock of chickens. I’m what some would refer to as neurodivergent and a polymath. Outdoor things I enjoy are archery, gardening, beekeeping, and hiking/camping. Indoor things I enjoy are gaming, poker, and reading/learning. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading a bit about me, and I look forward to seeing you on the piercing table.”