Earl attended Mullen High School, where he was an All-State football player and discus record holder. He attended the University of New Mexico on a football scholarship and majored in graphic design.
After college, Earl became a vice president of Shearson Lehman Brothers. He received a Futures Council Award as one of the top futures traders in 1984. He was a market maker at CBOT and received the President's Council Award in 1984 as one of Lehman's top traders.
Later, Earl became a pastry chef at Cliff Young's. Cliff's was one of the top restaurants in the country and received a Mobil 5 star, winning seven back-to-back awards from Food and Wine Magazine. Earl was also a pastry chef at Cliff Young's Bibelot and was Travel and Leisure Magazine’s 5-star recipient. Earl went on to become chef and co-owner of Aspen Baking. He then became the owner of the Paris Religion Bakery and received 5 stars from Eater.
Earl is currently a disabled athlete racing gravel bicycle endurance events with numerous bike sponsors. He is an advocate for people with disabilities.