Dr. Phipps was born and raised in Independence, Kansas and moved to Northwest Arkansas in 2000. He went to high school at Ozark Adventist academy in Gentry, Arkansas. He attended college at Southwestern Adventist University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. After completing his undergraduate degree, he spent a year and a half in medical school at Loma Linda University until he decided to switch over to dentistry at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis where he was originally accepted. When not working, Dr Phipps enjoys reading, fishing, golfing, and is a big fan of both the Arkansas Razorbacks and Rock Chalk Jayhawk Basketball. He also likes to spend time going on walks with his dogs and all botany after he worked 6 years in a greenhouse.