Before becoming an actor and writer, I studied mechanical engineering and had a related career that lasted nearly 14 years. I bought a house and added an MBA because that was expected. It didn’t add-up to a meaningful life because I hadn't taken the time to discover what is important to me as a human being.

Acting in community theater, while still working as a system engineer, was my first step in exploring an artistic life. Eventually I plunged into acting full-time and this move also led me to writing. Since taking this path, I've had amazing collaborations to bring work to life. Sparking surprise, delight, and curiosity with co-creators and audiences is the most important work I can do, but I was unprepared for the unbearable stress and financial instability.

That stress has taken its toll on my own mental health and forced me to manage my mental wellness to an unimaginable degree. Personally experiencing how our culture both creates and mistreats the mentally distressed, especially in poor populations, broadened my empathy and directed my artistic purpose - shine a light, pose questions and propose solutions.