Barrett was born and raised in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. In high school, Barrett was a member of a physical fitness team which traveled around the state competing against other high schools in events designed to test strength and endurance. After high school, Barrett attended Louisiana State University. After his first year at LSU, Barrett enlisted in the United States Marines Corps and served six years with the Marines during which he served a tour of duty forward deployed in Iraq. After graduating from LSU and completing his service with the Marines, Barrett attended law school and is now a practicing attorney.

Barrett began powerlifting in 2007 and soon thereafter became a member of RAW504. Since joining Raw504, he has competed at LSU's 4th Annual Tiger Open where he placed second in the 242lb weight class and at the 2009 Brother Bennett Invitational Powerlifting Meet where he placed fourth in the 275lb weight class. Barrett most appreciates powerlifting and RAW504 becasue they reinforce principles that he learned during his military service and academic career; that is, discipline, heart, commitment and determination are rewarded with improvement and success.