I believe that the next frontier in medical care lies in what we eat. When I was diagnosed with a rare genetic form of diabetes my doctors told me that there was minimal research and the best they could do is treat it like Type 1 and basically “hope for the best” . I spent a decade avoiding all carbs, being terrified of sugar and working out, and still ending up in the hospital repeatedly due to the treatments I was taking and poor overall health- I was in my 20s and couldn’t run a mile. I realized this was a path to nowhere and decided to take my health into my own hands. That move led me to Functional Nutrition, which looks at how your body reacts to and uses certain foods, along with looking at all other lifestyle factors that contribute to health. Within months I had changed my diet, lifestyle and habits and felt better than I ever had. I was able to stop taking insulin and other medications, and have since gone on to complete athletic feats ranging from competitive boxing to ultrarunning, that I was repeatedly told were “impossible” for me. My doctor’s were stumped- even for a condition like diabetes we don’t really consider the impact of the foods that we eat on our overall functionality and different body systems, and I strongly believe that we can have a major impact on aging, performance, and chronic disease management if we dig a little deeper. I’m walking (running?) proof! Now it’s my mission to help people create a life where they feel their best, using food as a foundation. What we eat impacts how we feel immediately, and how we consistently eat determines our quality of life in the short and long term. But changing how you eat is easier said than done- with so much conflicting information, deep seeded thought patterns and daily influx of food choices, making sustainable change takes more than a meal plan. My coaching method is designed to get you actual results. There is nothing cookie-cutter in what I do; we are building a new life for you- one where you’re able to cut through the noise, make educated decisions and feel your best everyday. If you have a performance goal, such as a race If you have chronic symptoms that just won’t quit If you have no idea where to start If you are ready for actual, real, sustainable results, let’s go!

I believe that the next frontier in medical care lies in what we eat. When I was diagnosed with a... Read More

After realizing that a career in sales was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to pursue something that allowed me to do the things I’m passionate about: exercise and helping people. As a lifelong weekend warrior who has experienced numerous injuries, I have always been disappointed with the care I received and felt driven to do better for others.

With this in mind, I moved from my hometown in York, PA to Flagstaff where I attended Northern Arizona University and earned my doctorate of physical therapy. I graduated with a bit of wanderlust in my veins, which led me to work as a travel PT, living out of an RV with my wife, dog, and cat for 3.5 years. We then settled down and found a home in Glenwood Springs.

After years spent being a patient and then working in the healthcare system myself, it became apparent that I could better serve my patients and utilize my own unique skills by breaking away from the traditional healthcare model. This led me to start Defiance PT and Wellness. My main goals are to provide care to people who are limited by their insurance companies or their high deductibles, people who are tired of not getting the quality of care they deserve or need, and people who are frustrated with not getting the results they want.

I am very passionate about improving my patients’ quality of life, decreasing pain, improving functional abilities, preventing unnecessary surgeries, and preventing falls. I work hard to get my patients back in the game, whether that means playing in the mountains, on the field, or with their grandkids on the floor.

After realizing that a career in sales was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, I cam... Read More

I grew up on the east coast in northern Virginia, and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond with my doctorate of physical therapy in 2014. I moved to the Roaring Fork Valley with my husband in 2016 to pursue a more outdoor based lifestyle, and we currently live in Carbondale with our two dachshunds.

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I’ve been an endurance athlete my whole life, starting with lacrosse and cross country in school, transitioning to racing marathons, and later finding my way to ultra running once I moved to Colorado. A few years ago a series of unfortunate injuries took me out of ultra running, but I was lucky enough pick up cycling as a result. Because of my long history as an endurance athlete and my struggles with injury, I know the value of having a healthcare provider who understands your goals and mindset.

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I’m passionate about working with other athletes and helping them get back to doing what they love, whether that’s running, cycling, hiking, climbing or another activity, because I get it and I’ve been there.

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Along with my interest in working with the endurance athlete community, I am also a pelvic health specialist. I treat both male and female patients; my goal as a pelvic health specialist is to teach people about how their body functions, and empower them to make the positive changes in their lives needed to improve their health. I joined Defiance PT and Wellness to allow me the freedom to work with patients in whatever capacity I feel is appropriate and most beneficial for each individual patient.

I grew up on the east coast in northern Virginia, and graduated from Virginia Commonwealth Unive... Read More

I’m a Colorado girl who is passionate about health and wellness. I grew up in the Denver area, went to college in Grand Junction, then moved to the Roaring Fork Valley and have been here for 3 and a half years now. My passion for promoting wellness and relaxation has contributed to me being a dedicated and skilled massage therapist. I possess a deep understanding of various massage techniques and their benefits. I am knowledgeable in various modalities, such as Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, Prenatal, Aromatherapy and Hot Stone. I love being able to tailor each session to meet the unique needs of my clients, fostering a healing and rejuvenating experience.

I make sure to use a compassionate and client-centered approach, creating a comfortable and soothing environment to enhance the overall well-being of each client. I am committed to continuing education and staying in touch with all of the latest developments in massage therapy, ensuring that each client receives the highest quality care. Whether relieving tension, alleviating chronic pain, or promoting relaxation, I am dedicated to helping individuals achieve a state of balance and harmony in both body and mind through the art of massage therapy.

I’m a Colorado girl who is passionate about health and wellness. I grew up in the Denver area, we... Read More