Fitness
After years of competing in various sports, I found my passion for fitness and strength training—a device for self-improvement, a way to challenge myself, and a personal therapy. I spent many years as an undergraduate weight training, but it wasn't until I started my Ph.D. that I came to enjoy every form of physical activity.
Philosophy
I believe confusion is the best way to train. Much like adversarial training and concept drift in machine learning, the surest way to improve is to keep changing the stimulus. After several weeks of heavy lifting toward a self-defined target (e.g., 315 lb bench or 405 lb squat), I switch to aerobics (PR a 5K) or calisthenics (PR push-ups or pull-ups). The variation keeps me motivated and prevents burnout.
Personal Records
- Bench press: 335 lb
- Back squat: 495 lb
- Deadlift: 495 lb
- Push-ups: 75 reps
- Pull-ups: 25 reps
- Marathon: 4:28:04
- Half-marathon: 2:14:49
- 5K: 22:14
Guitar
My passion for guitar started during my Ph.D. years as a way to feel at home. I grew up listening to my father play, and I find comfort in the simple act of strumming. I started on a cheap acoustic from Amazon and have since upgraded to a Yamaha with much better tone.