Born in Walnut Creek. Raised in Roseville. Teacher, coach, Peace Corps volunteer, poker dealer, marathon runner, world traveler, and father of three daughters. Still going.
28
Years Old
4
Years Teaching
3
Daughters
5
World Cup Games
1
Marathon
20+
Yrs Soccer
2
Founding Classes
26.2
Miles Run
2
Mexio Trips
5
Months in Africa
3
Marathons (Dad)
10/3
Anniversary π
Timeline
Sep 22 1997
π±
Born in Walnut Creek, CA
The third of four kids β one older sister, two older brothers. Chinese American family. Walnut Creek, California.
FamilyWalnut Creek
2002
π¦
Moved to Roseville, CA
The family relocated to Roseville β the city that would shape everything. Season tickets to Disneyland growing up, frequent trips with cousins and family.
RosevilleFamily
2002β 2008
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Coyote Ridge Elementary β Founding Fifth Grader
One of the founding students at Coyote Ridge Elementary. Showed a natural aptitude for math early on, and admittedly hated reading. Started youth soccer at age 5, quickly moved into competitive play β Placer United, FC Sporting, Roseville Select. Beach soccer tournaments every summer from 2008 to 2014.
EducationSoccerFounding Student
2008β 2011
π
Creekview Ranch Middle School β Founding Eighth Grader
Another founding-class distinction at Creekview Ranch. Identified as a GATE student with advanced math placement. Ran track all three years, wrestled all three years, and continued competitive soccer throughout. The academic and athletic foundation was set.
EducationSoccerGATETrack & Wrestling
2008
πΊ
Maui β Visiting Grandpa's Roots
Family trip to Maui to visit the neighborhood where grandpa grew up. A meaningful connection to family history and the islands β long before Hawaii became the wedding destination.
TravelFamilyHawaii
2011β 2015
β½
Woodcreek High School β Varsity Soccer Captain
Four years of varsity soccer, capped with the captaincy as a senior. Took Spanish all four years. Academically pushed hard β doubled up Algebra 2 and Honors Precalculus freshman year, then crushed AP Calculus as a sophomore and AP Statistics as a junior. Senior year included a couple suspensions, but still made it out. π€
Soccer CaptainAP Calc & StatsSpanish
2014
π
Brazil β 2014 FIFA World Cup
Two weeks in Rio de Janeiro for the World Cup. Attended five games β all in the first round β including Messi on the scoresheet and witnessing James RodrΓguez's iconic golden goal for Colombia. Toured Christ the Redeemer, played beach soccer, and ate incredibly well.
BrazilWorld Cup5 Games Attended
2015
π’
Disneyland Sober Grad Night
Celebrated high school graduation the classic way β a sober grad night at Disneyland. A park that had been a fixture of childhood from season tickets with cousins.
MilestoneClass of 2015
2015β 2018
π
CSU Chico β Mathematics Education
Pursued a Mathematics Education degree at CSU Chico. Worked as a math tutor for local schools throughout β teaching had already begun before the credential was official.
Mathematics EducationTutoringCSU Chico
2017
π½
Solo Day Trip to New York City
A solo, spontaneous day trip to NYC that turned out to be deeply spiritual. A series of coincidences that felt too meaningful to dismiss. The trip marked the beginning of believing in something bigger β a genuine shift in perspective.
New YorkSpiritualSolo Travel
Dec 31 2018
π
Disney World β New Year's Eve with the Family
Brought the whole family to Walt Disney World for New Year's Eve 2018, ringing in 2019 together and celebrating graduating from CSU Chico. A full-circle moment with a park the family had always loved.
TravelFamilyGraduation Celebration
2019
π
Poker Guest Services β Learning the Room
Started working in poker as a guest services representative, learning the ins and outs of running a poker room. The first step into a side of the game beyond just playing it.
PokerSide Gig
2019β 2020
π
CSU Sacramento β Teaching Credential
Completed the teaching credential program at Sacramento State. The official qualification to turn a passion for math and teaching into a career in the classroom.
CredentialSac State
2020β 2022
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Full-Time Math Teacher & Varsity Head Coach
First full-time teaching role at a local charter high school in Sacramento. Taught Integrated Math 2 & 3, AP Calculus, and Principles of Engineering. Simultaneously served as Varsity Head Coach for both the girls and boys soccer teams.
TeachingSoccer CoachAP Calculus
Dec 2021
π
Honolulu Marathon β With Dad
Completed a full marathon in Honolulu, Hawaii β 26.2 miles β with his dad by his side the entire way. One of the most memorable physical and emotional accomplishments of his life.
MarathonHawaiiWith Dad
2021β 2023
π°
Poker Dealer β Thunder Valley
Dealt poker at Thunder Valley Casino as a side gig alongside teaching. Good money, sharp skills, and a front-row seat to the psychology of the game. Made it through 2023.
PokerThunder Valley
Feb 6 2022
π«Ά
Seattle Surprise β Mom's 60th Birthday
Surprised his mom with a day trip to Seattle for her 60th birthday. Just the two of them. A simple but deeply meaningful gesture.
FamilySeattleMom's 60th
2022β 2023
π
Charter Academy β 6th Grade Math & Varsity Coach
Moved to a local charter 6β12th school in Sacramento, teaching 6th grade math and continuing as varsity head coach for boys soccer. Gained experience across a wide span of grade levels β from 6th grade all the way through AP Calculus.
TeachingSoccer Coach
May 2022
π²π½
Mexico β Valle de Santiago
A few weeks in Valle de Santiago, Guanajuato with a friend and her family. An authentic, off-the-tourist-track experience in central Mexico. Returned the following May for a second trip, same destination, same hosts.
MexicoValle de Santiago
Apr 2023
πΌ
Paris β Dad's Marathon & Birthday
A week in Paris with his sister and dad. Dad ran the Paris Marathon on April 4th β his birthday. Saw the city, watched the race, celebrated the man who ran a marathon beside him in Honolulu just 16 months prior. A special trip.
ParisDad's BirthdayMarathon
May 2023
π²π½
Mexico β Valle de Santiago Again
Second consecutive May trip to Valle de Santiago, returning to the same friend and her welcoming family. A tradition that felt like a second home.
MexicoReturn Trip
JulβNov 2023
π
Peace Corps β Sierra Leone, West Africa
Served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Sierra Leone from July to November 2023. No running water. No electricity. Living and working in communities that fundamentally shifted his worldview. One of the most challenging and transformative chapters of his life.
Peace CorpsSierra LeoneWest Africa
2024
π»
Curriculum Writer & Tutor β Kiddom + Local Programs
Wrote math curriculum for Kiddom, an ed-tech startup, while tutoring students through a local education enrichment program. Staying in the education world while exploring different formats.
EdTechCurriculumKiddom
2025β Now
π₯
Training Specialist β Medical Device Company
Moved into the medical device industry as a training specialist β applying years of teaching expertise in a new professional context. A pivot that honors the core skill: making complex things understandable.
Medical DeviceTrainingNew Chapter
Oct 3 2024
π
Started Dating Ashley Marie Lopez Xiong
October 3rd, 2024 β the day it became official with Ashley. She already had two daughters: Clementine, born July 18th, 2022, and Anneliese, born August 2nd, 2024. Jon became a bonus dad to two little girls before Estella arrived.
AshleyClementine & AnnelieseNew Chapter
Oct 3 2025
π
Proposed to Ashley β Monterey Bay
On their one-year anniversary, Jon proposed to Ashley at Schooner's Restaurant in Monterey Bay. The perfect setting. She said yes. π
EngagedMonterey BayAnniversary
Nov 27 2025
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Estella Azalea is Born β Thanksgiving Day
Youngest daughter Estella arrives on Thanksgiving, November 27, 2025. She joins big sisters Annie and Clem. The newest, most precious chapter begins.
FamilyEstellaThanksgiving
Aug 20 2028
π
Hawaii Wedding β 8Β·20Β·2028
Getting married in HawaiΚ»i on a palindrome date. The next great adventure.