You grew up in a one-stoplight town. What was that like?
Exactly what you’d expect—small town, everybody knew everybody. There wasn’t much to do besides chase adrenaline and get into trouble, both of which I definitely did. Looking back, cars felt like freedom. Especially somewhere that small.
What first got you into cars?
Honestly, the first Fast and Furious. I remember watching those movies and then recreating scenes with my cousin on the floor—building “cars” out of pillows, using a gaming steering wheel, even shaking soda bottles to mimic nitrous.
At the time it was just fun, but looking back, that was probably the beginning of everything.
Before cars, you were into BMX, skating, snowboarding. Did that influence how you approached cars?
Definitely. Those sports are all on you—your results reflect your effort. Cars aren’t much different. You put in the time, obsess over details, learn through trial and error, and the end result becomes a reflection of you. That mindset stuck early.
You gravitated toward the Volkswagen scene. What drew you in?
My older cousin and his friends were all into German cars, so I grew up around Volkswagens, Audis, BMWs. Back then it felt like you were either into Hondas or Volkswagens, and I landed in the VW crowd. The styling, the stance, the community—it just felt different. By 14, I was helping install suspension. Every weekend was spent modifying cars, cruising, and hanging out in parking lots for hours. That culture became everything.
Tell us about your first car.
A 2004 Volkswagen GTI. I was 14 or 15 trying to figure out how to buy it. It sat inches off the ground, had Porsche Cup wheels, a big front mount intercooler, and that turbo “pssshh” every shift. It was perfect to me. Once I got it, I dove in—meets, late-night drives, hours talking about future builds. That car became part of my identity.
You spent years going to H2Oi. What did that mean to you?
The first time changed everything. Thousands of cars, people from everywhere, all there for the same reason—it almost felt unreal. That was the first time I felt part of something bigger. We went back every year. I even spent my sixteenth birthday there. When we weren’t at events, we were in garages watching videos and planning the next build. It completely consumed our lives—in the best way.
At some point, things shifted for you.
Yeah. I got pulled into partying, and it started taking over. Cars were still there, but they took a back seat. I blew up the GTI and moved into a 2004 Jetta GLI—air ride, big turbo, OEM-plus styling. It was one of my favorite cars. But even then, partying was becoming the priority.
In 2016, you moved to Florida for treatment. How was that transition?
Massive. I left everything and moved to Florida, not knowing anyone, trying to rebuild from scratch. Through all that, I held onto the GLI and eventually shipped it down. I got sober, but I was in a new place figuring out who I was again.
How did cars help you reconnect?
That’s one of the biggest reasons this culture means so much to me. I randomly met another VW enthusiast. We didn’t know each other, but instantly had common ground—talking builds, parts, setups. He became one of my first friends in Florida. Then it just grew from there. Before long, I was fully immersed in the scene again. I realized that feeling from H2Oi wasn’t tied to one event—it exists everywhere. No matter your background, people connect through cars in a unique way. That’s what made Florida feel like home.
Your taste in cars evolved quite a bit over time.
For sure. From the GLI to an E90 335i, then an STI, and eventually into off-road with Raptors. I’d always loved Raptors, so getting my 2023 was a big moment. I had parts waiting before it even arrived. My wife and I traveled all over with it—events, trails, different states. And the off-road community was just as welcoming as any other. That’s what I love about car culture. No matter the niche, there’s always connection.
You’ve had some frustrating experiences with shops. Did that lead to Modist?
Absolutely. Over the years, we all had horror stories—damaged parts, poor work, overpromising. I had three-piece wheels ruined during a tire install. Lost a carbon fiber lip after a bad alignment. Even found out an aftermarket bump stop kit on my Raptor had been installed upside down. At some point, I just thought—how does this keep happening?
When did the idea for Modist click?
It came from the same conversation over and over—friends asking where they could go and who they could trust. And it hit me: why doesn’t a vetted platform for high-quality shops exist? Not just a directory, but something built around trust, craftsmanship, and enthusiast standards. We were tired of seeing people spend money and end up disappointed. That became the foundation for Modist.
What’s it been like watching it grow?
Surreal. Since launching in September 2025, seeing people genuinely happy with their experiences has been incredibly rewarding. At the same time, we’re helping great shops get the exposure they deserve. There’s so much talent out there—people just struggle to find it through the noise.
Looking back now—what does automotive culture mean to you?
It means everything. Without it, I don’t know if my life turns out the same. Cars gave me friendships, purpose, and community when I needed it most. Now, standing at a Modist event watching people connect, it takes me right back to that feeling I had at H2Oi. That sense of belonging. Being part of something bigger. If what we’re building can create that feeling for even one person, it’s all been worth it.
That’s what car culture is really about.
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