Some were actualfamily members Mina was working with, like Thadeus “Tad” Starsiak, Mina’s half-brother.

Others were acquaintances who quickly became close friends, such as Austin Aynes.

One of those people was Aynes.

Austin Aynes and Tad Starsiak

The duo had met completely by chance years earlier, Aynes explained on the Reason to Dance charity blog.

According to hisInstagrambio, Tad is a general contractor, realtor, and real estate investor.

It feels like a blur.

A young Austin Aynes

Yall saw me go from fresh out of college to turning 31 in 2 weeks."

He was a resident of the town Speedway, situated just 15 minutes outside bustling Indianapolis.

Nevertheless, Aynes graduated and enrolled in Butler University, eventually getting a degree in biology.

He had plans to become a physical therapist, though that would have required additional years of schooling.

It was a choice that would completely change his career trajectory.