I was born in New York on May 29, 1984. My parents were born in the Dominican Republic and both worked hard to give me and my siblings the best they could. They lived in Manhattan in the Washington Heights section where most Dominican families migrated to after coming from the Dominican Republic. Early in my life, I had a fascination with bodybuilding because my father was the most muscular father amongst all my friends’ fathers. I quickly wanted to become just like my father and the other bodybuilders I saw in the magazines, often imitating workouts my father would do at home or at the gym. Years went by, and I never lost interest in being muscular and developing his physique to the max! I continued my training to help me improve my athletic ability in all the sports I played in high school. 

After a successful four years playing high school varsity basketball and football with just a few games left in his last season as a high school football player, I suffered a catastrophic injury during a game…which would require surgery.  Following the surgery came the recovery, and it wasn’t fast or easy. After many weeks, I was able to get back in the gym and even though i had lost muscle and felt weak…I was determined to be better than ever before.  With my football career just a distant memory, I turned my passion to fulfill my longtime dream of competing in a bodybuilding competition. Just 2 short years after the accident I stepped on stage for my very 1st bodybuilding contest and I have not looked back ever since! Even today, I have never lost sight of my dream and passion to become one of the best bodybuilders of all time!