Mac attended Chiawana High School where he played varsity football, track and golf. He was a scholar athlete in all three sports. On September 13, 2014 at the beginning of his junior year Mac fell out of his tree stand while hunting with his dad and a friend, breaking his back. While unable to play football he continued to participate in practices and in the weight room supporting the team and rehabilitating his body. He learned to play wheelchair basketball and in his junior year went to the track state championship as a thrower and played on the golf team in his senior year. After graduating from high school he went on to complete his AA degree a Columbia Basin Community College while serving as a position coach for his high school alma mater. Mac has served in many leadership roles as a mentor, coach with organizations such as Young Life, Wild Life and with one that helps take kids with disabilities on hunting and fishing adventures. Mac was encouraged to apply for a Swim With Mike scholarship by Gonzaga and USC alumnus and SWM board member Nate Higgins.