Coach Wade was born in California and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, where he developed a lifelong love of sports. After playing multiple sports growing up, he focused on American football and baseball in high school, ultimately pursuing baseball at the collegiate level. He played NCAA baseball at DePauw University and spent one season in the Prospect League before beginning his teaching and coaching journey.
In 2017, Coach Wade moved to Thailand to teach English in Wang Nam Yen, Sa Kaeo. Following a year in the classroom, he relocated to Bangkok to experience more of Thailand’s culture while working as an English tutor. During this time, he earned his NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) credential, opening the door to work with athletes in school settings. In 2019, he was recruited to lead the baseball and softball programs at the International School Bangkok (ISB), where he spent five years building and growing the programs before joining TCIS.
At TCIS, Coach Wade is passionate about helping students build healthy habits, improve fitness, and reach their athletic potential. Outside of work, he enjoys golf, exploring Thailand, and spending time with his wife and young son, ZJ Jr. His mornings often begin with faith, philosophy, and journaling, grounding him in the values he strives to share with his students and athletes.