Founder:
Patrick is a 28 year old former Wesley College graduate and two year Academic All-Conference lacrosse player. He has a degree in business administration with a focus on marketing and creative writing. He works full-time for Ceramcor Xtrema Healthy Cookware as an Internet Marketing Specialist. When he is not working, traveling or speaking, Patrick enjoys endurance running, hiking, sports, coaching, music, movies, and serving in the local community. He is also a huge supporter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and loves working with middle and high school students.
He grew up in Western Maryland where athletic achievement became the foundation of his life. Through the years, Patrick achieved many athletic and academic accomplishments. For the majority of his life, he was seen as a star lacrosse player, and known only by his achievement on the playing field.
Patrick is a self proclaimed “perfectionist,” yet his life since college has been anything but perfect. For more than four years he struggled in silence with an eating disorder. Patrick’s drive to succeed in lacrosse spiraled out of control in the spring of 2005, when he spent his senior season watching his college lacrosse team play from the bench. His senior year in college is when his drive for precision led to poor decisions which ultimately drove him into a secret battle with anorexia nervosa.
In March of 2008, Patrick was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and was given less than a year to live unless he went into treatment. Facing unimaginable odds including; being a male athlete with an eating disorder, substance abuse issues, the loss of his fiancé, poor health, and financial debt, Patrick chose life and sought treatment at Canopy Cove in Florida. He spent more than 30-days in a partial program for anorexia nervosa, and it changed his life. After treatment, Patrick worked hard on recovery utilizing support groups, Faith in Jesus, Celebrate Recovery, Accountability Partners and determination to totally break free from his struggles with an eating disorder and alcohol.
Anorexia nervosa is now a part of Patrick’s past, yet he believes it has given him true purpose and meaning to his life. While in treatment, Patrick wrote his memoir, “A Fallen Athlete,” and has since gone public with his battle with an eating disorder, and shared his story of hope on the national level. Months after treatment, Patrick founded I Chose To Live, LLC, which is a creative outreach program based on athletic principles.
Patrick recently launched his Eating Disorder Awareness Campaign which is targeted towards high school and college students. The mission is to provide real awareness and prevention. He travels all over the country and speaks without shame about his eating disorder struggles, and recovery while providing detailed ED education. Some of his speaking events have included; The University of Maryland, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, Lubbock Christian University, Miami University, The EDIN- Love Your Body and at the IAEDP Conference.
His recovery has been considered a miracle by many, and Patrick has taken full advantage of this second chance at life. He is now a resource person for The National Eating Disorder Association and The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. Patrick speaks openly about his recovery both locally and on the national level. He has been featured in many publications including Lacrosse Magazine, The New York Times, CBS, NBC, and The Courier Post. His story was most recently published in Hagerstown Magazine and featured on the ANAD Website. Patrick only speaks to the media to provide hope, education and inspiration. His goal is to be a voice to those still suffering in silence, and to help lead others into the recovery of life. He credits his success in recovery to his athletic prowess, an exceptional treatment team, but ultimately knows the love and support from his family and friends was the driving factor in changing his life.
He has facilitated his own ANAD support group, and now writes and speaks about his recovery experiences. He has dedicated his life to working in the field of eating disorders and recovery. Patrick truly believes that every person has the opportunity to be a hero in life, yet few step up and make a real difference. Sometimes just making the right choice is all one person needs to do to save another life. Patrick chose to live, and he chooses to care! His aspiration is to destroy the negative stigma those face with eating disorders, to eliminate the stereotype, and to spread hope and assistance to those still suffering. Recovery is Possible!