The Path That Led Me There

I grew up with parents who were disciplined with money, and that shaped my early habits. But once I got to college, I drifted away from those values. I wanted to keep up with friends—going out, buying gear for hobbies, taking trips, even telling myself I was too good for “normal jobs.” That lifestyle, combined with student loans, led me down a path of juggling credit cards and debt.

The turning point came in 2008 during the recession. I had just landed my first 'real' job after college—benefits, 401k, the whole nine yards. I thought I'd finally made it. Six months later, I was laid off.

Suddenly, I had $25,000 in debt (student loans plus credit cards), no income, and a decision to make. Moving back in with my parents at 25 years old was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. I remember unpacking my boxes in the garage, looking at all the stuff I'd bought thinking I was 'successful,' and realizing how trapped I'd become.

That's when it hit me: debt wasn't just numbers on a spreadsheet. It was the reason I couldn't say no when my parents told me to come home. It was the knot in my stomach every time I checked my bank account. It was the shame of feeling like I'd failed at 'adulting.' The debt was limiting every choice I could make about my future. 

Over time, I began to rebuild. I took jobs that required me to move, cut costs by living with roommates, and started saving and investing. Meeting my wife, Camille, accelerated that change—we decided together that debt wasn’t something we wanted or needed. We combined our incomes, attacked our debts aggressively, and within 1 year, we'd paid off every penny we owed—over $35,000 total.

That's when everything shifted. For the first time in my adult life, I knew exactly where my money was going and why. We started saving for a home with intention, not hoping we'd have enough at the end of the month. That feeling of control was addictive.

Then I discovered YNAB (You Need A Budget), and everything clicked. As someone who'd been doing zero-based budgeting at work, it finally made sense to apply that same logic to my personal finances. Suddenly, budgeting wasn't restrictive, it was empowering. Every dollar had a job, and I was the one assigning it.

For the first time, managing money felt simple instead of overwhelming. I actually started to enjoy it. My wife noticed the change too. I'd go from stressed about money to excited to show her our progress. I knew we had something great going on.

Today, I see money completely differently. It's not about having the newest car or keeping up with anyone. It's about freedom—the freedom to make choices based on what matters to you, not what your bank account dictates.

I founded New Path Financial Coaching because I know exactly what it feels like to be stuck. I remember the shame of living with my parents. I remember taking vacations with zero money and struggling between what I thought I deserve and what I couldn’t afford. I remember the weight of debt crushing my options.

I also know what it feels like on the other side—to pay off that last debt, to save for a goal and actually reach it, to look at your bank account without anxiety. That feeling of control and confidence? I want that for you.

I'm not here to judge where you've been. I've been there. I'm here to help you build a plan that works, give you the tools and accountability to stick with it, and celebrate every win along the way. Because I promise you: financial freedom is possible, no matter where you're starting from today.

WHY I'M QUALIFIED TO GUIDE YOU

I founded New Path Financial Coaching because I know exactly what it feels like to be stuck. I remember the shame of living with my parents. I remember taking vacations with zero money and struggling between what I thought I deserved and what I couldn't afford. I remember the weight of debt crushing my options.

I also know what it feels like on the other side—to pay off that last debt, to save for a goal and actually reach it, to look at your bank account without anxiety. That feeling of control and confidence? I want that for you.

Here's what I bring to our work together:

✓ FINANCIAL COACH ACADEMY® GRADUATE I trained under Kelsa Dickey of Fiscal Fitness Phoenix, one of the nation's leading financial coaches. I learned evidence-based coaching methodologies, behavioral change strategies, and systems that create lasting transformation for clients. This isn't winging it—this is professional training from the best in the industry.

✓ CORPORATE COST MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE Years of professional experience in zero-based budgeting and cost optimization taught me how to eliminate waste and maximize resources. I've taken the strategies that help businesses manage millions and adapted them for everyday people. You get Fortune 500-level financial strategies without the complexity or corporate jargon.

✓ MECHANICAL ENGINEERING BACKGROUND My engineering degree trained me to solve complex problems systematically. I approach your finances like an engineer approaches a design challenge: analyze the system, identify inefficiencies, design solutions, and optimize for your specific situation. This analytical mindset helps me see patterns and opportunities others might miss.

✓ PERSONAL FINANCIAL TRANSFORMATION I've walked the path I'm asking you to walk. From $25,000 in debt and living with my parents to paying off $35,000 with my wife in one year and building complete financial freedom. I don't just teach this—I've lived it. And I remember exactly what it feels like to be overwhelmed, stressed, and unsure where to start.

✓ PILOT'S LICENSE I earned my pilot's license as one of those "expensive priorities" I mentioned earlier—it represented achieving a dream while being financially responsible. The training taught me the value of systematic checklists, disciplined execution, and long-term planning. While I don't fly regularly anymore (aviation is expensive!), those lessons about following proven procedures and staying disciplined translate directly to money management. Just like flying, financial success isn't about one perfect decision—it's about consistent execution of proven systems.

THE COMBINATION THAT MAKES ME DIFFERENT: Most financial coaches are either professionally trained without personal struggle, or have overcome their own challenges without formal training. I'm both—professionally trained by top coaches AND someone who's lived the transformation from debt to freedom. You get expertise AND empathy. I specialize in helping two groups where I bring particularly deep experience: growing families planning for homes and futures, and newly retired individuals managing fixed income. But whether you fit those categories or not, if you're ready for transformation, I'm here to guide you.

BEYOND THE NUMBERS

When I'm not coaching, you'll find me with my family—and that's exactly where I want to be.

As a husband and father to three amazing kids—Dawson (8), Emelia (6), and Brielle (2)—I understand the financial pressures families face. Soccer practices, school expenses, thinking about college funds while managing everyday costs—I live it daily. That's why I'm so passionate about helping growing families build sustainable financial plans that work with the chaos of real life.

My wife, Camille, works as a marketing expert, and together we've built a life grounded in financial intention. We're not perfect, but we're purposeful. And that makes all the difference. I also maintain my program management and engineering skills in my corporate job, where I specialize in New Product Development.

We live in Reno, Nevada, and our family loves travel adventures. We believe in creating memories, not just accumulating things. That philosophy guides both how we live and how I coach: align your money with what brings you joy and meaning.

My approach to money—and to coaching—is grounded in a few simple beliefs: Everyone deserves financial confidence. Progress matters more than perfection. The best financial plan is one you can actually stick to. And freedom comes from clarity, not complexity.

MY PROMISE TO YOU

If we work together, here's what you can expect from me:

NO JUDGMENT ZONE I've been broke. I've lived with my parents as an adult. I've made financial mistakes and poor choices. There's nothing you can tell me that will shock me—only things we can solve together. You can be completely honest with me about your situation, and I'll meet you with understanding, not judgment.

PRACTICAL, NOT PREACHY No shame-based budgeting. No "just stop buying lattes" advice. No telling you what you "should" have done differently. We'll build systems that work with your actual life, not some idealized version of it. If you have three kids in activities, we'll budget for that reality.

YOUR PRIORITIES, YOUR PLAN This is YOUR money and YOUR life. My job isn't to tell you what you should value—it's to help you clarify what matters most to you, then build a plan that supports those priorities. Want to travel? Great. Want to pay off debt aggressively? Excellent. Want to help your kids? Let's plan for it. Your goals, your choices.

REAL ACCOUNTABILITY I'm not here to create a spreadsheet and disappear. I'm your partner in following through—celebrating wins, troubleshooting setbacks, answering questions, and keeping you on track. Through programs like Rooted, you'll have ongoing support, and someone genuinely invested in your success.

SKILLS THAT LAST My goal isn't to keep you dependent on coaching forever. It's to give you the tools, confidence, and skills to manage your finances independently for life. I want to work myself out of a job by making you completely self-sufficient.

HONESTY OVER EVERYTHING I'll give you straight answers, even when they're not what you want to hear. If your goal isn't realistic with your current income, I'll tell you. If you need to make changes, I'll be direct. But I'll also show you the path forward. Honesty builds trust, and trust creates transformation.