I grew up in a small town just east of San Diego, California called Lakeside. We are a country area known for our rodeo and raising livestock on campus. After high school, I attended the University of San Diego where I earned my B.A in Marine Science with and emphasis in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. I also dabbled in music for many years. While attending USD, I worked at SeaWorld San Diego in education and with the penguins. In 2005, I moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA's graduate program where I earned my Masters in Education and began teaching at King/Drew Magnet High School. After a few years of teaching, I began a travel program for the sciences.