I took an anatomy class as a college freshman and I was hooked. I still think the human body is amazing. That class, my own experiences with exercise, and a desire to help people lead me toward a career in Exercise Physiology. I retain an American College of Sports Medicine Health/Fitness Director certification.

I  learned that all my knowledge about the inner workings of the body did little to prepare me for what I loved most - helping people change. So, after four years as an exercise physiologist, I decided to pursue a doctorate with the goal of learning to help people change.

I enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin in 1991. I wanted to see how living by "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" would help people be more well. The result was that I developed a way to measure wellness.  All these years later, it is gratifying to continue receiving emails from all parts of the globe. See perceivedwellness.com.

As an academic, I published several dozen articles, lectured and consulted all over the United States and in some international locations. My research and that of my partner Steve provided a perfect foundation for everything we do at WellSteps.

I have been professionally involved by serving for years as the Editor for the Database section of the American Journal of Health Promotion and as a member of the National Wellness Institute Board of Directors.

What else have I done? I have been blessed to do some pretty cool stuff including coaching flag football, working with boy scouts, and writing a book.