ANDY BALDWIN

Andy developed a strong drive for success at an early age; he worked three jobs in his hometown of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was Valedictorian of his high school class, an All-American swimmer, and was the ESPN national scholar/athlete of the year in 1995. After receiving a full Navy ROTC scholarship to Duke University, he chose to attend the prestigious school and pursued a pre-med curriculum. Andy swam as a varsity athlete throughout his undergraduate career and graduated with honors as a student-athlete in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Commissioned Officer in the United States Navy. Andy pursued his dream of becoming a physician, by enrolling and completing medical school at the University of California- San Francisco School of Medicine. After graduating in 2003, Andy completed a year internship in general surgery at Naval Medical Center San Diego, and went on to serve his operational duty in the Navy as an Undersea Medical Officer. He completed Navy Dive School and Undersea medical training and spent a three year tour in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii with Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit ONE.

Upon moving to California, Andy took up cycling, and with his past running and swimming prowess was able to put them all together in a sport new to him - triathlon. He completed his first triathlon in 2001 with Team in Training, combining sport and charity for the first time, and finished atop the podium. He was hooked. Andy achieved his childhood dream in 2002 when he qualified for and completed the Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Kailua-Kona, HI in 9 hrs, 53 mins, racing in honor of his Uncle Tom. Andy has since been named to the All-Navy triathlon team five times, been a three time U.S.A. Triathlon All-American, and competed internationally in numerous Half-Ironman and Ironman events. He is an Eight time Ironman finisher, and believes firmly in the motto "Anything is Possible!"

While stationed in Hawaii, Andy deployed to the Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Singapore, Cambodia, and the Republic of Palau on various diving, recovery and humanitarian missions. For the work Andy did in Laos in 2006 he was named Humanitarian of the Year by both Triathlete and Competitor magazines.

One of Andy's biggest supporters was his uncle Tom, who passed away from pancreatic cancer one month after his diagnosis in 2002. In remembrance of his uncle, Andy established a fund to help raise money for pancreatic research and continues to be supportive of the Pancreatic Cancer network. In 2004, Andy joined Project Active, a non-profit initiative dedicated to diffusing world tensions through promotion of sport in war torn and impoverished countries.

Andy was also the star of ABC's hit show "The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman." After his television appearances, Andy has become increasingly involved with domestic and global humanitarian projects. In order to help the families of America's fallen heroes, Andy started Got-Your-Back, and has overseen the project through all of its success. Andy recently transferred from Hawaii to Washington, D.C. where he is working as a Navy medicine advocate at the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. He remains active in his athletic and charitable pursuits.