Cris strives to live by this principle in his personal life and in every facet of Monumental Results’ engagement with both the local, national and international community.

When Cris lost his father unexpectedly at age nine, he was overcome with an overwhelming sense of pain, loss, and despondency. Over time—and due in large part to the deliberate care, connection, and “rescue of the heart” provided by members of the Salisbury Beach Lifeguards—an expanding, organic appreciation for life, connection, relationships, and a profound awareness of the importance of the present moment began to take hold in a young boy’s heart, alongside his grief.

The optimism and hope that gradually replaced his sorrow were due in large part to the “adoption” he experienced by a small tribe of lifesavers on the New England shore where he grew up. The lifeguards of Salisbury Beach didn’t just protect swimmers from the unpredictable storms of the Atlantic—they protected and nurtured a young boy who desperately needed healing. While they taught him distance running, open water skills, self-defense, and ocean science, the most important lessons they offered were emotional: safety, security, and tenderness in the absence of his father’s love.

For nearly half a century, Cris has intentionally given back to individuals and institutions facing their own limitations or voids. His mission is rooted in gratitude and a deep desire to pay forward the compassion he once received.

From the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence, MA, to the Mission Valley YMCA in San Diego, the San Diego Canoe and Kayak Club, and the San Diego Junior Lifeguard Program, Cris has shared his time, knowledge, and heart with organizations dedicated to youth development. He has served as a mentor to scores of young men and women, often lifeguards from the San Diego Lifesaving Association and the California State Parks Lifeguard Association.

He regularly offers free fitness instruction and coaching to individuals and groups within his extended community, as well as life mentorship to those who have both the need and the desire for such an influence. He has also collaborated with Scripps Hospital, Super Girl Surf Pro, the Ventura County Lifesaving Association, and the San Diego Search and Rescue Team to support Southern California’s safety service personnel, advocate for women’s athletics, and contribute technical expertise to help those who help others.

One of Cris’s favorite quotes is, “Hope lies in connecting.” He continues to live that truth, generously sharing his enthusiasm, optimism, and zest for life with those who might benefit from it. At his core, Cris believes that while loss is inevitable, it need not have the final word. #kinship