What is your favorite type/genre of food?
Italian, Italian, Italian. If I could eat a different type of pasta or pizza every day without weighing 400 pounds, I genuinely would. Also a huge fan of a really well-done steak (not literally well done, but perfectly executed).

What hobbies do you have?
I enjoy lifting at the gym after work if I have the time! I also try to collect rare-ish whiskeys and am pretty proud of the collection I have built so far! Other than that, I just enjoy being outside driving around or hiking if I can.

At home with Austin:
My fiancé, Jenna, and my 6 month old Bernese Mountain Dog, Weller, live with me here in Boise! My mom lives in Knoxville, TN where I grew up. My sister is my only sibling and lives in Nashville, TN. My dad is "retired" and lives in Naples, FL.

Where did you grow up?
I was born in Memphis, TN but moved to Knoxville, TN when I was 2. I grew up in Knoxville and lived there throughout college until I moved to Nashville.

Did you have any Nicknames growing up?
My dad still calls me Chipper to this day because it was my nickname growing up during baseball. Most of my really close friends call me Walker and I actually enjoy it.

Austin’s favorite part of working at Inspire:
Every day I come in here and I don't feel weighed down by my surroundings because of the people and the culture in place here! It's been so refreshing to wake up happy and enjoy being surrounded by like-minded individuals that all genuinely seem happy to be here. My old role was a complete drag every day I walked into office- the energy and passion was just so bad so I literally have loved every day here so far just being surrounded by so much support and people that truly care about what they're doing here and in the world. Also the fact that we have mental breaks to read the word and to pray is something truly unique and amazing to be a part of.

Tell us a funny story about yourself:
When Jenna and I went to Banff 2 years ago- our first day there we went on what was supposed to be a very moderate-level hike. About an hour into the hike, the path kind of came to a halt and we were struggling to find any signs to point us in the right direction. Naturally trying to not panic her that we were lost, I told her I knew where we were supposed to go and pointed us in the absolute worst direction possible (I had no clue where to go). We wound up going in circles in the middle of the woods with nothing in sight for about an hour until she started crying and then obvious panic set in. I don't really get worked up about much, which is just my baseline demeanor, so I was just laughing it off until it started to get dark out. At this point she's basically legitimately mad at me and I find the lake about a mile away after I get to the top of this hill and I tell her in excitement "See... had it all along. Piece of cake" after being completely lost for over an hour in the middle of bear country while it's getting dark... I think those types of moments are why she has a love/hate relationship with me, but it ultimately keeps her on her feet and keeps her around :). It might not be a funny story, but it's funny to me because the trip could not have gotten off to a worse start, but it's funny that things most of the time just work out for me, which is why I never really freak out. Some call it luck, I call it blessed. Anyways... that wound up being one of, if not, the best trip we've ever taken (other than that first little bit). Absolutely beautiful and one of my favorite places I've seen on Earth so far and would love to go back!

What else do you want your co-workers to know about you?
I'm a pretty open book, so you guys probably know enough about me already! I'm pretty open, but fairly reserved when it comes to super serious things. I enjoy keeping my circle small and tight as it's how I was raised, but after I let someone in it most likely means I really respect and value that person and their opinion. People can see me as introverted when I'm really more in the middle. I enjoy cracking a good joke, making people laugh, and getting them out of their serious ways. I'm laid back by nature and like to think I'm light-hearted and enjoy keeping things loose. I'm not a big believer in making life too serious and I'm a highly logical thinker who tends to leave emotions out of important decisions/conversations. I've always been a big advocate for harnessing/controlling your emotions as a man and I think that's something to note about knowing me, is that I really pride myself in keeping external and internal things in check. And you guys probably know this about me too because I work here, but I'm a big believer in Jesus! Part of the reason I moved to Idaho, aside from Inspire, is that my heart feels closest to God in nature. I find God in all things nature-related that I don't get in Nashville often- Mountains, lakes, snow, etc... so I'm very happy to be here and I think my heart/soul feels like it's been a nice start here where I get to look at the mountains on the way to work every day or see them in the break room. Constant reminder for me that He's right here and I love that.