Tommy was born in 1967 in Doniphan, MO, with a crippling disease called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita. AMC affects every part of the body, most noticeably in the hips, knees, legs, & feet, causing continuous pain. As an infant, Tom's mother, Anna, moved the family to Philadelphia, to get him the best possible care. From birth till 12, Tom underwent many constructive/corrective surgeries in various hospitals in PA and NJ. In 1973, wearing leg braces off the mat, Tom started youth wrestling. In 1974 he was a State Runner-up, mainly wrestling using his very strong arms. Tommy was greatly admired by teammates and competitors because of his competitive spirit, and his love of the sport. In Middle School, Tommy won a League Championship and was a runner-up twice. He was also a Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Delaware Tri-State Champion and an AAU National Champion. In his senior year at William Tennent HS, Tom was the PIAA 1984 District 1 Class AAA Champion, the Southeast Regional Champ, and a State Qualifier! He was recruited by Delaware Valley College and was a 2X MAC Division III Place Winner. In his third year, Tom did not pass the physical, because of vision loss in left eye, recurring strength loss, and an increasing inability to stand. He finished as an unpaid assistant, and a career record of 29-8 in 2 seasons. After college, Tom coached youth, Jr. High & varsity teams for over 10 years. In 2001, while at work, and rescuing two children during a race riot, Tom was jumped from behind, kicked, breaking a fusion in his back. He was wheelchair bound and an outpatient for 3 years at the University of PA Spine Center. After numerous injections and blocks in his knees, hips, back, and neck, back surgeries, plus rigorous therapy, he learned to walk again. But Tom stayed involved with wrestling, as his sons, Thor and Torey wrestled at the Youth Level. Even then, Tom was an assistant coach, helping in any way he could. In 2004, Tom moved to Texas, and was finally was able to walk again. While there, he started the Texoma Twisters Wrestling Club, along with OLYMPlC GOLD MEDALIST, Brandon Slay. He coached that program through 2012, until he became involved in mixed martial arts. Since then, he has continued with MMA and other coaching endeavors. Tom and his wife, Melissa, currently reside in Orange Park, Florida.