My Experience
I’m PCMag’s expert on fitness and smart home technology, and I’ve written more than 6,000 articles and reviews in the 10-plus years I’ve been here. I unbox, set up, test, and review a wide range of consumer tech products from my home in Florida, often with the help of my pitbull Bradley. I’m also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade.
Before becoming an analyst in 2020, I spent eight years as a reporter covering consumer tech news. Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
My Areas of Expertise
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Smart fitness machines: rowing machines, stationary bikes, strength training equipment, treadmills, and workout mirrors
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Wearables: fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, and smartwatches
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Smart home devices: air purifiers, kitchen appliances, light bulbs, robot vacuums, smart scales, and more
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Pet tech: connected cameras and GPS trackers
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E-bikes
The Technology I Use
My little Florida beach bungalow serves as a test bed for the latest smart home tech, and I constantly cycle through products I’m reviewing.
I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my Wyze Light Bulbs, and set the temperature on my Nest Thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, and check the weather.
Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. I use the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app.
A good floor-cleaning robot is also a must. I currently use an Ecovacs X1 Omni and an Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra, two premium models that can both vacuum and mop, empty their own dustbins, and wash their own mop cloths.
For fitness, I generally have about three large workout machines in rotation at a given time. At present, that includes the Echelon EX-8S stationary bike, the NordicTrack iSelect adjustable dumbbells, the NordicTrack Vault workout mirror, the Peloton Guide strength training camera, and the Tempo Move weight training system. I’ve also had a Tonal mounted on my wall since 2020.
Finally, I cycle through wearables like it’s my job—because it is. In heavy rotation at the moment are the Garmin Venu 2, a favorite for its bright screen and stylish design, and the Apple Watch Series 7, which I often use as a control device when testing other models.
On the weekends I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.
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