Do you get jaw pain, clicking, and popping every time you open your mouth? Does it lead to pain every time you eat, brush your teeth, and yawn? These are clear signs of a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). TMD is classified as dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), your jaw, or your muscles of mastication (the muscles you use to chew). TMD affects 33% of Americans, but lucky for you, physical therapy is an excellent form of treatment for these conditions.
Common Signs and Symptoms of TMD: restricted mouth opening, chronic facial pain, headaches, and clicking and crackling at the jaw. Causes of TMD include hyperactivity of the muscles of mastication, stress, anxiety, trauma, sleeping disorders, and even dysfunction of the cervical spine (your neck). But how does the TMJ and your neck relate? The trigeminal nerve, a nerve that innervates your upper cervical spine, also innervates your muscles of mastication. This means that a tight and immobile neck can be contributing to TMD symptoms. All of these signs and symptoms can truly affect activities of daily living and cause unnecessary stress to our lives.
TMD has two main classifications: 1) Myofascial Temporomandibular Disorders (MTMD)
2) Disc Displacement
The first classification, MTMD, pertains to pain in your jaw originating from your chewing muscles: masseters, pterygoids, and temporalis. MTMD can result in pain every time you eat or open and close your mouth.
The second classification, Disc Displacement, pertains to disorders of an articular disc that glides forward and backward between your TMJ as you open and close your mouth. Disc displacement can lead to that clicking and popping when opening and closing your mouth.
So how do you know what kind of TMD you have? Below are a few quick tests you can perform at home with just two popsicle sticks! It is also important to note that both muscles and joints can be impaired in cases of jaw pain.
Self Assessment A: Lateral Deviation Test
1) Look in front of a mirror
2) Open Jaw as wide as you can
3) Look between your two front teeth (central incisors)
Does your jaw deviate to the Left or Right?
If yes, this is likely more of a joint/disc dysfunction
If no, this is more likely a muscular issue
Does your jaw click and pop?
If yes, this is likely more of a joint/disc dysfunction
If no, this is more likely a muscular issue
Self Assessments B: Bite Test
1) Bite test- chew on two popsicle sticks (along teeth)
If biting causes more pain, your chewing muscles (muscle of mastication) could be the issue
2) Bite on one popsicle stick
If pain is on the opposite side of the mouth, the TMJ is more likely the issue
Physical therapy can also provide a more extensive examination of the mouth with specific measurements of mouth opening/closing, jaw deviation, and biomechanics of the TMJ. Once it is determined what type of TMD is present, manual therapy from a physical therapist has been shown to greatly improve TMD symptoms. A physical therapist can help you with body work on those painful muscles of mastication, treating those tight muscles of your neck, improve that forward head posture, and facilitate proper mechanics at the TMJ to improve mouth opening and closing to allow you to eat pain free!
For now, here are 5 Exercises Everyone With Jaw Pain Must Try!
1) Masseter Self Release
Start with your fingers about one inch in front of your ear lobes toward your cheeks. Palpate back and forth like it’s a guitar string. Does it feel tight and tender? If so, you’ve found a great spot! Apply pressure and hold until the discomfort/tenderness starts to subside. Repeat this process 3-4x along the muscle.
2) Medial Pterygoid Release
The medial pterygoid is another muscle that is overactive and can result in jaw pain/limitations. For this release, you will have to enter the mouth and press toward the back of the teeth, just past the molars. Move your fingers about a centimeter toward your cheek and shift your fingers up and down until you feel a taut band of muscle that feels tender to the touch. Apply pressure on the tender point until the pain starts to dissipate and continue moving up and down that area for up to 5 minutes. This can be done once every 2-3 days or as needed to relieve pain. Avoid sharp pain!
3) Chin tucks
Perform 2×15 x 3 second holds at the end of every hour when sitting at work! You should be feeling the muscles under your jaw working to help stabilize your neck!
4) Upper Trap Stretch
Tight neck muscles that get worse from sitting and using your phone and computer? Dysfunction at the neck has been shown to have direct correlations with jaw pain! Start by holding the bottom of your chair and gently pull at the temple with your other hand to stretch that tight upper trap. Hold 3x30s and can be performed 2-3x per day.
5) Levator Trap Stretch
Another great stretch to perform when sitting to stretch out the back of your neck. Start by tucking your chin to your right armpit and with your right hand gently apply pressure in a 45 degree angle until you feel a stretch to the left side of the back of your neck. Repeat on the opposite side! Hold 3x30s and can be performed 2-3x per day
The Runner’s Rulebook: A Guide from Your Running Coach
What is the Runner’s Rulebook? Well, it’s a guide from your running coach, that’s me, Coach BW, that teaches you how to keep running fun and pain-free year after year!
First, there’s no doubt that running is one of the world’s most popular sports. Why?
No major equipment is needed to run
Running improves both your physical and mental health
Through running you build strength, and strong bones, as it’s a weight-bearing exercise
The attractiveness of a “high” euphoric feeling that you get running, especially outdoors, as you fall into a balance between your thoughts, effort, and your natural surroundings
During times of stress or long workdays, you can turn to running as an outlet. It can provide you with a ‘reset’ that allows you to become a better version of yourself
A Guide Based on Experience
As a runner, an endurance coach, and a physical therapist for the past 14+ years, I created the Runner’s Rulebook based on my experience coaching running at all levels. From beginners in the sport to professional runners.
In addition, I also assess and treat running injuries on a weekly basis, and teach other physical therapists how to do the same.
Now then, the Running Rulebook does not contain hard lines drawn in the sand. But, more of a template that can be revisited as your body evolves over time. Let’s jump into my Top 5 Rules for Runners!
1. Take time each year to understand your body
Taking the time to understand your body as a runner means taking a good look at your physiology and musculoskeletal makeup. Therefore, a review of medical history, injuries, and, a true assessment of your flexibility and strength in all areas of your body pertinent to running.
For example, have you taken a medication or been forced to wear dress shoes that have led to losing some of your ankle and toe mobility? Well, we rely heavily on this mobility for running.
So, a shortening of a person’s ankle dorsiflexion or change in toe extension can be directly linked to foot pain. This pain typically does not improve unless you have a specialist identify what needs to be done. Signing up for our run assessment is a great first step- literally!
Running injuries are typically not acute. But, they gradually evolve over time. Therefore, the impact and stress applied to your joints needs to be balanced with the right exercise.
For me, it may mean stretching a little more on one side versus the other. For you, it could be activating a certain muscle set. Moving through a strength routine. Something to help you better control the forces applied when landing on one leg and absorbing shock.
2. Manage your energy levels to become your best self
Next, proper energy management is essential when choosing what time of day you plan to run to keep it fun and pain-free. Each run should complement your energy levels, allowing you to feel a sense of achievement and balance.
As a runner and running coach, when I’ve gone for a run during a time when my energy levels were exhausted, it’s just junk miles. Wondering what I mean by this? Well, there are mixed reviews on what junk miles actually are, and whether they worth having in your running training plan. As a running coach, I’d view junk miles as days when your running on empty. Where each step feels heavier than the last. Overall, you feel clunky and out of any sense of natural rhythm.
Therefore, understanding where and when you are naturally inclined to harness energy is extremely beneficial for the success of your run training plan. How do you determine when and where to fit in your run?
Ask yourself these questions:
Do you wake up with energy and need to waste a bit to feel productive?
Do you get energized throughout the day interacting with people?
Are you someone that feels low on energy regardless of the time of day? Do you always need motivation to get outside and run?
3. Understand what style of runner you are
Did you know that your running form or technique matters? Yes, there are direct links to the mechanics of how you run that influences how long your body will last in the sport. A study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise provides robust evidence that technique explains a substantial proportion of the variance in your ‘running economy’ and performance.
Do you know what type of runner you are?
Ask yourself, do you:
Land on the balls of your feet the majority of the time?
Have weak ankles or fallen arches?
Have a long stride?
Land on the heel of your foot every time despite whether you’re going uphill or downhill?
By identifying and addressing some of these issues, you can actually change your running form. And a change in your running form could actually save you a lot of time and money- helping to avoid medical expenses from injury and the purchase of unnessary equipment (shoes, braces, orthotics).
Need help identifying what type of runner you are? Make an appointment for a run assessment! One of our specialists will identify exactly what style of runner you are, and they can help you identify form issues that could lead to energy leaks costing you efficiency.
Why get a run assessment? Well, having someone assess your natural style will prove extremely beneficial when it comes to becoming a more efficient runner. What do I mean by that? Efficiency equals faster speed, fewer impact forces on your body and less energy leaked that limits your performance.
4. Set goals that make sense for what kind of runner you want to be
As a running coach, I see it all the time. Runners pick their races based on the training partners they’ve chosen. While I’m all about having people alongside you to motivate you towards your goal, don’t become a marathoner because your friends do. Or, because it’s often seen as the pinnacle of the sport.
Think about why you enjoy running. Then, set at least one or two races on your calendar that are your ‘A’ races. These races should speak to the very reason you’ve taken up the sport!
How do you determine what kind of runner you want to be? Ask yourself if you:
Crave the hills?
Enjoy the environment found on trails or gravel roads?
Love pushing the pace on a track?
Need just 30 minutes of solitude to feel recharged?
Want to achieve a personal best in a 5k/10k?
Based on your answers, you’ll be able to sprinkle in some of the motivating stuff you need each week while training and naturally increase your motivation towards your goal race. This allows you to keep your eye on the prize!
As a running coach, I call these your soul-feeding workouts. Fit one into each week to recharge.
For me, this might be intervals on the track. For you, it may be a walk/run combo in the woods to re-center and focus.
5. Plan your workouts in advance and have someone hold you accountable
I’m not the most knowledgeable running coach in the world. However, I see such success with my endurance athletes because I get to know them. And, I help them to set realistic and fun goals that fuel them as human beings.
So, I love coaching and training runners of all ages and abilities. In my experience, there are some of you who will need a 5-day adventure running race to feel fulfilled, while others only need a 5k.
How to Become Accountable
Bite-sized goal setting coupled with reality checks on performance is what allows a runner to progress. Then, it all comes down to accountability.
For you, accountability may come through writing in a journal or reporting progress over the phone to a running coach each week. Or, it could be logging miles on Strava, GarminConnect, Suunto, or sharing via a social media post to allow friends and family to cheer you along.
Either way, track what you do week-to-week. Set goals for the year and constantly evaluate your progress towards meeting those goals. This will lead to long-term success.
Final Thoughts from Your Run Coach
Running should never feel as though it’s a chore. Something that you have to check off the list each day. Therefore, pay attention to my top 5 rules. This will allow you to feel fueled and avoid burnout year after year.
It’s a blessing to be able to run! So, if you place emphasis each year on evolving your body alongside your goals in the sport, you’ll be able to look back with a smile and embrace the infinite amount of small steps it took to get you where you are.
Personally, I want to run into my 90s, and I never lose the euphoria I get while trail running! I don’t need the distances to get longer and longer, I just need the views with each route I choose to be worth the challenge.
Top 5 Reasons to See a Massage Therapist in San Diego
During these uncertain times, self-care is more important than ever. However, you may be wondering if you should see a massage therapist in San Diego right now. So here are our Top 5 Reasons to not only see a massage therapist but what the benefits are of choosing Catalyst PT & Wellness for your massage therapy.
1. We Are a Health Care Facility
As a healthcare facility, we are open and allowed to treat patients indoors. This includes physical therapy, wellness, and massage. In addition, we are taking the highest safety measures possible for our patient care.
Here are just a few of the new measures in place for our massage therapists in San Diego:
Both the patient and practitioner must wear a mask for the entire massage.
Health screenings are conducted prior to each person entering the clinic.
There are no longer patients allowed to wait in the reception area. At Catalyst, we ask that all clients wait in their cars to be called in by their therapist.
Strict cleaning protocol of massage rooms, massage table and linens and any other tools used for massage therapy
2. Stress Is At An All-time High
Are you more stressed or anxious than usual? If so, you are not alone. Many of us are stressed about work, finances, family and friend’s health and wellness. Read more from one of our own massage therapists, Kacey McCoig, on why massage is a great way to lower stress.
Therefore, with all this new stress in our lives, it’s been proven that therapeutic touch can help. How? Physical touch significantly reduces emotional and/or physical stress and anxiety. Here’s a great piece from Harvard Medical School about The Healing Power of Touch.
No need to read further and ready to book your massage therapy in San Diego? Great! Give us a call today, 619-501-2195, or email us.
3. New Hobby or Working From Home?
With gyms and fitness studios in San Diego shut-down, have you picked up a new hobby? Perhaps running or biking to get your fitness on while still maintaining a safe distance from others? Maybe you have mastered the garage home gym!
Either way, your new exercise routine may be creating pain in your muscles and joints.Read more from the Cleveland Clinic on delayed onset muscle soreness or DOMS and how to tell if it’s a good pain or bad pain.
In addition, if you’re working from home now, you may be spending all day in your flip flops. Read our last blog on why wearing flip flops all day is bad for your feet. Coming into our San Diego location for massage therapy can help you relieve the pain. Furthermore, our massage therapists can help you identify what specifically might be the cause, like wearing flip flops or being barefoot all day long. See below for more on how our massage therapists work together with our PTs!
4. Back to Training?
Now that sports are coming back online, are you training for an upcoming event? Whether soccer, tennis, cycling, or a half-marathon, our massage therapists have guided both professional and amateur athletes towards health and wellness. Read more on how Dr. Kristen Campbell, PT Manager and Director of Massage, worked with the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team to prepare them for competition.
Through proper timing, technique, and intent during every massage session, our skilled professionals take into consideration your WHOLE training and competition schedule. We make sure we are helping you recover properly. Therefore, we get your body ready to achieve your maximum potential in the pool, on the court, track, or trail.
5. Our massage therapy team works directly with our physical therapists
Our team of massage therapists in San Diego works closely with our physical therapists, facilitating a collaborative approach to your care. This multidisciplinary team of specialists learns from each other. In turn, this allows us to better address your specific needs and diagnose what’s causing your muscle aches and pains.
Constantly experiencing pain while walking or running? Yes, we can help alleviate muscle soreness. However, when we work together and combine our knowledge resources, we may discover that this constant pain is not from your workouts. Sometimes is something more simple. Perhaps the fact that you wear flip-flops all day. Especially here in San Diego where flip-flops are the norm, we see this often. Curious about how wearing flip-flops every day can cause harm? Read our blog post on flip flops and how they can harm your feet!
Final Thoughts on Getting a Massage
So by now, we hope you have a better understanding of the steps we take here in the clinic to ensure your health and safety. In addition, if you’re still wondering if you should see a massage therapist in San Diego right now, fill out our contact form. Give us a call at 619-501-2195. From our front desk to our massage therapists, everyone is highly trained to assist you in finding the best possible care. At Catalyst, we excel in combining our services to give you the best experience and get you back to doing what you love.
Do I need a run assessment to determine what kind of runner I am?
These are just a few of the questions our Run Specialist Dr. Ellie Nevarez gets asked each week. In addition, these are undoubtedly some of the most common questions she gets asked by new runners. A veteran runner, by comparison, most likely has “their shoe” that works great for them.
However, if you are a new runner that’s training for an upcoming half-marathon, how are you supposed to know what shoe to buy? So before we go to the research, let’s check in with Dr. Ellie.
Minimalist vs. Supportive Running Shoes
The first question I hear often? Do I need a more “minimalist” shoe versus a “supportive” shoe? To start, running shoes follow a spectrum based on the amount of cushion or thickness of the sole of the shoe. In addition, there’s also arch support and “drop” or the ratio of sole thickness under the heel compared to sole thickness under the toe.
A minimalist shoe has very little cushion. Therefore, very little arch support and a “zero drop” sole. An example of this would be a Nike Free.
However, a supportive shoe will have a thick cushion, high arch support, and a relatively big drop. One of the most common max support shoes are the Hoka One One.
Are you looking for something supportive, but more lightweight for racing? Well, a carbon-plated running shoe, like Nike’s Vaporfly Next% might be it. In addition, these have been so popular that they sell out as soon as they launch a new pair!
How Your Unique Running Form Comes Into Play
As a physical therapist and a run specialist, I know that one size does not fit all. You are unique in your running style and your current or past running injuries will influence this. Furthermore, you might make additional compensations for aches and pains, or based on the course or trails you’ll be running! Want to come in for a comprehensive run assessment so I can take a better look at your form? Let’s get you in!
Here’s what else comes into play when we talk about your running form:
Your foot posture, so flat feet vs. high arches
Toe strike vs. heel strike
Wide feet vs. Narrow feet
Forward lean
Stride length
Leg/core strength
Balance
In addition to all these things that make your running form unique, there may be certain shoe styles you find more comfortable. Furthermore, you may hear, “humans have run for thousands of years without shoes.” This statement supports that minimalist shoes are the best. However, the counterpoint to that argument is that most individuals have worn shoes their entire life. Therefore, going from a supportive shoe to a shoe with little to no support will increase the chance for injury.
Then, add in an increase in mileage or running on new terrain, and this further increases your risk! Not only are you removing support, but you are also significantly increasing stress in the feet from each foot strike on the ground. In fact, the vertical force distributed through each foot with running is 2-3x your body weight compared to 1.5x your body weight with walking.
Back to Maximum vs. Minimalist Running Shoes
So are maximum support shoes the best? Well, many of my patients are runners who wear Hoka’s and swear by them. Clients often tell me they feel as though they are “running on clouds.” In addition, maximum support running shoes have helped many of my runners who suffer from knee pain.
However, having all of this support of a maximum support running shoe, the foot no longer has to work as hard and can get lazy. When this happens, I often see problems further up the chain in the hips, knees, IT band, and lower back.
So What Does The Research Say on the Best Running Shoes?
Let’s look at the science behind running. Here are a few resources that have helped us debunk the myths:
Therefore, after reviewing all the research, and combining that with what we’re seeing in the clinic, we can conclude that your running form matters more than the type of running shoe you are wearing.
Words of Caution When Opting for a Minimalist Running Shoes
Furthermore, we can assume that your foot and ankle strength isn’t there initially. Slowly develop this over time. And, through a proper training program with support from a physical therapist. In addition, if you’re prone to injuries or foot pain, the minimalist running shoe route is one you want to use with extreme caution.
Finally, if you’re in it for the cool factor of progressing like our ancient ancestors, get on the minimalist’s running shoe wagon. However, remember to build up that ankle/foot strength, slow down your speed, and focus on landing more forefoot!
Things to Keep in Mind with a Maximum Support Running Shoe
As the research shows, a maximum support running shoe does not necessarily protect you from injury either.
Although there is not a lot of research done on it just yet, some preliminary findings suggest that when runners are given an extra cushion to support their feet, they tend to rely on it more than using their foot/ankle strength. In addition, maximalist running shoes are being shown to actually increase the vertical loading forces in the body. This could be good news initially for those of you prone to foot and ankle injuries. However, redistributing these larger forces to the knees and hips could lead you down another path of destruction. Therefore, you’re not necessarily decreasing your risk of injury, but rather choosing a different style of injury.
A better investment might be identifying some running form changes that will allow you success in the new shoe you choose. In addition, since research shows that a majority of runners may not accurately identify their running form, coming in for an assessment is a great next step.
Ultimately, the goal is to find a running shoe that is comfortable for you and your running style. This is why I’ve focused on running here at Catalyst PT & Wellness. Got a quick question for me? Drop me a message and let’s get you back to doing what you love!
If you are having pain, or have a history of injuries, come in for a PT appointment, or schedule your run assessment and I will give you a full evaluation of your running form plus tweaks to make running more fun and pain-free!
Final Thoughts
Remember, you are unique! So googling ‘what are the best running shoes’ will give you results, but perhaps not for your unique running style. Although some high end running shoe stores might be able to do a run assessment, most have not been educated on proper running mechanics. In addition, most store clerks have not managed patient care specifically for runners over the years.
My suggestion for the best running shoes? Find a running shoe that is comfortable to run in. If you’re new to running, start small. 30 minutes max. Build up the miles slowly, and change up the terrain.
Remember, running should not be painful. Especially not in your joints! Do you have a history of injuries or are significantly increasing your training to prep for a race? Then I recommend coming in for a run assessment before logging those big miles.
Need more running tips? Read our Runner’s Rulebook, a guide from a running coach on how to create a well-rounded training program that will keep running enjoyable and help prevent injuries.
Thanks for reading and hope to see you out there on the road or trails!
Are you a yoga teacher, or a teacher in training and searching for common yoga injuries and how to avoid them? Both for yourself and your students? Well, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve been instructing yoga teachers for a few years now on how to teach so that you help to reduce the potential for injuries in your practice.
Common Yoga Injuries
First, let’s talk about the most common injuries we see at the clinic from yogis and long-time yoga teachers. Here’s a quick list:
Lower back pain
Ongoing wrist soreness
Tight hips flexors
Shoulder strains/rotator cuff injuries
Hamstring issues
Top 5 Reasons Yoga Teachers Develop Injuries
Second, let’s tackle why we see these injuries in the clinic. Most are not acute injuries by the way. They develop over time from repeating the same postures or poses.
1. Lack of Anatomy Knowledge
Anatomy is one of the most important pillars of any movement professional’s journey into teaching. Now, it’s not necessary to memorize all 650 muscles, 360 joints, and 206 bones. However, it is important to have a good grasp of the relationships the muscles form when interacting with each other. And specifically in this context, from one pose to another, to avoid common yoga injuries.
This interaction needs to happen in a way that allows for healthy movement not overrun with compensation. Meaning, the big guys win and the stabilizers, or the smaller muscle groups, are overpowered.
Achieving balance within the musculoskeletal system will require an understanding of the common signs of tightness, weakness, and even pain, and how they limit normal fluid movement.
2. Focusing on aesthetics instead of function
What yoga teachers need to always ask themselves is, “What is the purpose of this pose, and how will my class achieve it?” Far too often, we see yoga teachers disregard function. Instead, they replace it with beautiful, but challenging poses. Do they want to show off their uber-flexible selves by bouncing from one difficult pose to the next? Perhaps ending the sequence with a graceful inversion or arm balance?
If so, this creates a risk for both the instructor and the student. You are asking the body to perform difficult transitions and this can lead to the common yoga injuries mentioned above.
Understanding that the body faces its largest amount of stress in these transitions means that you as the teacher must strive for proper alignment and control. Especially through the changeover from an eccentric to concentric motion. More on this principle down below.
Ignoring the challenging portions of a flow to simply make things look cooler will ultimately lead to injury. Instead, yoga teachers should pay special attention to developing their ability to provide “bite-sized” cues that allow for safety and success while flowing from one pose to another.
3. Not Enough Self-Care in Between Teaching Yoga
As a yoga teacher or a teacher-in-training, we bet you have a huge heart and want to give back to people to help them live longer, healthier lives. However, you also face the pressure of balancing that giving of yourself with the need to make a living.
As an example, early on in your career, you may be placed in one type of class. This forces you to flow through the same sequence over and over again. Every single day, sometimes twice a day!
Not having the experience or control to vary up your sequences can lead to a beat-up body through repetitive overuse of certain areas. In particular, we see common yoga injuries in the wrists, shoulders, lower back, and neck. Although you may want to grind it out, and push yourself to achieve a higher level of performance, these rigorous practice sessions can have long-term negative effects on your body.
In addition, you may be coming from an athletic background in dance, gymnastics, or acrobatics. Therefore, you may already be prone to rarely slow down enough to allow for the body to repair. Pushing yourself year-round, practicing until near perfection is achieved, often does more harm than good. Self-care baby!
Thus, take the time to unload your body between practices to avoid common yoga injuries. Yes, we realize you may think yoga is low-impact. Especially if you also participate in more intense sports like running, cycling, or rock climbing. However, lack of recovery, coupled with the fact that not all teachers have been shown self-repair techniques, increases the risk of overuse injuries even more.
While stretching and self-massage might not be your main concern, find proper corrective exercise to strengthen weaker areas. Concentrate bodywork or self-massage on the spots being overused.
4. Flow Speed is Too Quick
The timing established for a flow must match the intention you have for the workout planned. The goal should always be to provide just enough cues to allow people to draw attention to their breath, balanced with a speed slow enough to allow for safety and controlled motion.
Controlled motion is achieved when muscle recruitment is at its peak, and the reliance on passive connective tissue, like ligaments, is low. This keeps the joints and bones from feeling the stresses that ultimately lead to breaking down. In addition, it allows for coordinated movement.
When it comes to coordination, the different types of muscle actions must achieve synergy. Muscles are known to face their largest amount of forces as they go from an eccentric (lengthening) position to a concentric (shortening) position.
So, gaining control of the momentum imposed by gravity during these transitions will never be easy. Especially for your students in your yoga class. Or a teacher struggling to race the clock to finish class on time.
If the speed of the flow increases based on your feelings that you need to perform for your higher-skilled students, then timing becomes the catalyst for some of these yoga injuries.
5. Unbalanced Sequencing
Do you often struggle when thinking about what poses to demonstrate in a sequence? Well, think about introducing variation into your “teaching moments”. By creating variation, you will achieve balance among your muscle groups.
As an example, you may get used to showing a few key poses in each class. However, you’re forgetting to include variation in your own sequence throughout the day. This leads to an imbalance in pressures across your body. Then, over the course of weeks and months, you’ll see deterioration at the joint level.
In addition, consider that mental and physical stamina levels are generally lower towards the end of a long day of teaching. So you know it becomes especially difficult to maintain quality and choose a pose that’s healthy for your body over the pose that is simply easy to show.
To combat this, it’s important to plan out YOUR teaching week for YOUR body’s needs, as well as your students. While the scope of this article is not to teach you how to design a flow that balances out the different muscle groups, it is important to understand where your injury-prone areas are located.
Having a good understanding of your postural needs, movement impairments, general flexibility, and strength will help you to select the smartest, most effective poses to demonstrate throughout your teaching week.
More Tips to Avoid Common Yoga Injuries
The key to creating a great yoga practice lies in planning ahead. Use this time to remind yourself what poses you need to demonstrate more and insert them into your practice. Then, work on walking the room. Cueing and adjusting the poses you don’t need as much to avoid dangerous repetitive overuse.
Need more help? Well, then book a Wellness appointment where a physical therapist can identify your postural needs to assess flexibility/strength. With this information, we can help you build a foundational practice tailored to you.
Best Practices for Yoga Teachers
The best yoga teachers that go the distance in the profession have all taken time to develop a strong foundation of anatomy, and the proper verbal cueing required for fluid movement. In addition, the secret to remaining injury-free as a yoga teacher requires a strong understanding of the above 5 principles.
Furthermore, they understand when to increase the speed of their flows based on the coordination and challenges presented during class. Finally, they have a good understanding of their own body’s limitations. So, take the time to put into practice the necessary repair work and corrective exercise required for longevity as a yoga teacher.
It’s our mission to encourage all people, healthy and injured, to develop a clearer picture of their body, and the needs they should address when striving for better physical health. If you’re interested in learning more about your body, or find yourself battling any of the topics listed above, we strongly encourage you to meet with a physical therapist soon!
Are you searching for bunion pain relief from wearing flip-flops all day? If so, you are not alone. Millions of Americans suffer from foot and ankle related issues because of the shoes they’re wearing. Especially here in San Diego where flip-flops are the norm, we see this often. Not only can wearing flip flops cause pain, but they can eventually lead to a lack of proper mobility of your feet.
So is wearing flip flops everyday bad for your feet? The answer is yes, and one of the most common problems we see at Catalyst is bunion growth due to daily flip flop wearing. In addition, while some of these problems from wearing flip flops all day long require surgery or drugs, many of them can be addressed with less invasive care. Below we’ll break down the science behind it all, along with at-home tips for how to get your feet back in shape!
What Problems Do Flip Flips Create
First, what exactly is a bunion and why does wearing flip flops create one? A bunion is a condition that is caused by the big toe angling away from your body towards the 2nd toe. The fancy medical term we use for a bunion is hallux valgus, which translates to an “increased toe angle.”
Once the toe starts to angle away from your body, your body enters a protection phase by increasing the production of bone and soft tissue around the joint. In the early stages, this leads to a purely cosmetic issue around the toe knuckle without pain. In the later stages, patients can complain that the area is painful to touch and even hurts while walking.
What Causes Bunions?
While the bunion manifests itself in your toe, the actual root of the problem could be higher up in your body. Wearing flip flops as your daily shoe can create dysfunction in your ankles, knees, and hips. Therefore, as a result of these dysfunctions, the body compensates for every step you take.
In the physical therapy world, our fancy term for how you walk is “gait pattern.” During optimal walking, your big toe is the last part of your foot to leave the ground. With a perfect gait pattern, your big toe is like a bowstring during these final moments. Fully taught ready to spring you forward.
However, in people with bunions, the midfoot begins to collapse due to weak hip muscles. These weak muscles are unable to control the motion of the leg below. Instead, you push off the inside of your foot like an ice skate, rather than letting your big toe spring you forward. By taking the recommended 10,000 steps each day, and in shoes that offer little to no support, like flip flops, you can quickly see how your foot structure will change to compensate.
Flip Flops and Foot Pain
Still not quite certain that flip-flops could be causing these bunions? Here’s more research to prove it:
Six Steps To Prevent Foot Pain and Provide Pain Relief
Here are a few quick things you can change right now to help prevent a bunion from occurring or for bunion pain relief:
1. Stop Wearing Flip flops All Day Long!
Instead of flip flops, buy some fun slip-on sneakers. The wider toe box allows your foot to splay on the ground the way it was meant to. If you’re still not certain if flip flops are bad to wear all day, even after reading the research, try swapping them out for sneakers on your walks. Heading to the beach? Wear sneakers and toss your flip flops in your bag!
2. Maintain a healthy weight
Staying in that healthy weight range for your age not only helps you with bunion pain relief, it also reduces your risk of heart attack and high blood pressure. Plus, it will make you feel good and give you more energy!
3. Exercise regularly
Get into the habit of exercising and adding more movement to your daily routine. Even if its just 30 minutes a day of brisk walking. Remember, walk in your sneakers and not your flip flops.
4. Get fitted for orthotics
Orthotics can be helpful to not only support your feet properly but also keep them in the proper alignment when running, walking, or hiking. In addition, our foot care department at Catalyst PT & Wellness can provide custom orthotic prescriptions!
Massage therapy is one of the oldest medical practices still around today. We’ve adapted this Eastern medicine into our routine care and offer several types of massage- sports, deep tissue, neuromuscular, prenatal, and even chair massages. In addition, many of our massage therapists see patients that suffer from foot pain due to wearing flip flops all day.
Read more on the styles of massages we offer, what the additional benefits of massage are, and how to become one of our Monthly Massage Members!
6. Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation
As with most common injuries, the tried and true method of R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) will help alleviate foot and ankle pain due to wearing flip flops. As an example, a warm soak with Epsom salts or an ice pack in the evening will bring foot pain relief.
Additional Treatments For Flip Flop Wearers
Bunion Surgery
The quick fix for a bunion as a result of wearing flip flops is a surgery known as a bunionectomy. During the surgical procedure, the bone and soft tissue on the big toe is cut out and the big toe is reset into position. Besides dealing with post-surgical pain, recovery can last anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months.
Unfortunately, the success rate of these surgeries is mixed. The bunion is not the actual problem, but rather the area in the body that is compensating for the problem. If you’re still wearing flip flops post-surgery, your feet will continue to work in the same way. Therefore, we have seen bunions re-develop after surgery. The cause of the foot pain or bunion is never addressed and you end up back where you started.
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy treatment involves assessing your walking mechanics. First, we identify the contributors altering your foot and ankle mechanics. We watch you walk in your shoes or flip flops. Often we find imbalances in muscles and joints of your hip, knees, ankles, and even your core muscles!
Second, we teach you about strengthening and stretching techniques. Third, we have you move in functional patterns. This allows your body to incorporate your new strength and range of motion into daily life.
Not sure if flip flops are causing your injury? Or if your foot pain can be treated with physical therapy? This is why we offer free injury screenings. An injury screen is a quick, 15-minute video or in-person chat that can allow a doctor of physical therapy to assess your signs/symptoms.
If your therapist determines your symptoms stem from an orthopedic issue like wearing those flip flops all day, together you can discuss which course of action will work best for you. Whether it’s telehealth or in-person PT appointments, we can help you get your body back in action. Fill out our request form, or call us at 619-501-2195 to book an appointment.
Summary
If we haven’t convinced you yet, wearing flip flops all day long is bad for your feet. The constant pain you develop as a result is not only uncomfortable, but it can also make it harder to do the things you love- run, jump, play with your little ones. Spend a little time taking care of your feet now, and you’ll be pain-free for years to come.
Looking for more information about foot and ankle health? Check out our Foot and Ankle Guide.
Destination To Travel: paris, vail, estes park, the alps, banff, iceland
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? used tesla suv, green and elegant, somewhat affordable
Hobby: running, cooking, trying new things, family bike rides
Sports Team: hmmm….I feel partial to seattle teams, however chiefs have warpaint so I like them too
Musician: well, ben howard till he got depressed, Nick Drake, Michael Jackson, Ben Harper, Good ol Hootie and the Blowfish
Book: oooooo, this is a tough one, I love le petit prince, also the alchemist, Malcom Gladwell writes pretty interesting books, the bible says good things too
For What Would You Be Famous: I’d like to be famous for being compassionate, but in reality I’d more likely become famous for some terribly embarrassing meme when I drank too much and said too much..
Best Advice Ever Given: yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift, that is why they call it, the present. However I tend not to heed this advise very well!
Olivia Sherwood
ABOUT
Olivia grew up in Yakima, WA. She completed her undergraduate degree at Eastern Washington University in Exercise Science in 2019, then graduated with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in San Marcos, CA in 2022.
Olivia was first introduced to physical therapy after numerous running injuries. She found her love of physical therapy as a patient, and was drawn to the career after seeing how it could improve a person’s quality of life, promote a healthy lifestyle, and get people back to doing the things they love!
Olivia’s approach is well-rounded, with both manual techniques and exercise to ensure a comprehensive program built for each individual patient to get them back to doing what they love. Olivia’s excited to be joining the Catalyst PT team due to the wide variety of patients, the ability to expand her knowledge through Applied Functional Science, and be a part of a cohesive team.
Outside of work Olivia enjoys running, cycling, hiking, and spending time with loved ones!
Audra O'Neill
ABOUT
Audra was born in a tiny town in Illinois. She grew up playing all different sports, but in high school, found a passion for running. During that time, she attended physical therapy and developed a strong interest in that as a career path. She applied for the Doctoral Physical Therapy program at St. Ambrose University as a junior in high school and was accepted. She obtained her undergraduate degree at St. Ambrose University in 2011, and then continued on to get her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy in 2013. Her graduate school education was fostered by a small class size, which allowed faculty members to provide personalized, one-on-one attention to all students. She moved to California to finish her last clinical rotation and has since fallen in love with all of the outdoor activities that sunny San Diego has to offer.
Outside of work, Audra enjoys going on adventures with her sweet doggie, hiking, camping, skiing, and of course, enjoying frequent days at the beach.
Audra’s philosophy is an eclectic approach to patient care, including interventions of joint mobilization, and various methods of soft tissue mobilizations, corrective exercises, therapeutic taping, and postural correction through biomechanical analysis. She utilizes her ASTYM techniques as well as myofascial decompression, “cupping,” as an adjunct to her other manual skills. She has taken introductory yoga instructor classes, and incorporates that knowledge into her treatments as well.
Audra is certified in Applied Functional Science and uses a more global approach to treating each patient as a whole body vs just an injured body part. She is constantly trying to improve her techniques to become a better provider and help others to achieve their health and wellness goals!
Annie Archbold
ABOUT
Hi! I’m Annie, I moved to San Diego from Seattle in 2002 to manage a Wholesale Beauty Supply store and try my hand at living in a new state. After soaking up all of the sunshine possible in that first year, I decided this was where I belonged, and never looked back!
Health and fitness are my passions, and when I’m not exercising and meal prepping, you can find me at the ice rink watching hockey or exploring all the amazing food San Diego has to offer. I love to spend time with my family, mainly watching movies, playing games, traveling and eating!
After getting married, having 2 kids and spending most of my years as a stay-at-home-mom, I joined the Catalyst team to get back into what I love; working hard and helping people. I have a background in management and love to work with a great team! I’m currently the Office Manager at our Mission Valley location and oversee our other locations in Point Loma and 4S Ranch. I love to surround myself with like minded people and Catalyst has become my home away from home! My goal at Catalyst is to make sure our patients and staff are taken care of and are happy.
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Love learning about health and nutrition.
Where were you born: Seattle, Washington
Happy Place: Anywhere there is sunshine
Meal: Sushi, anytime, anywhere.
Destination To Travel: New Orleans – love the live music and overall feel of it
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? A big truck! I like to sit up high, probably because I’m short.
Hobby: Rafts/sewing
Sports Team: NY Islanders (but soon to be a Seattle NHL team Yay!)
Musician: Green Day
Book: Where the Red Fern Grows
For What Would You Be Famous: Tennis
Best Advice Ever Given: Don’t overthink it!
Missy Goff Korsmeyer
ABOUT
Missy is a native San Diegan and received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from San Diego State University. As part of her graduate work, Missy had the privilege of working at Catalyst for an 8-week clinical rotation, where she learned from and worked alongside Kristen and Brian. She also had the opportunity to do a mixed orthopedic and pediatric rotation at another clinic, which inspired her to become both an orthopedic and pediatric therapist so she can work with patients of all ages. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Missy loves being able to combine her love of treating musculoskeletal injuries in adults as well as helping kids of all ages achieve milestones and interact more easily with the world around them.
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT:
CCI – Certified Clinical Instructor
CAFS – Certified in Applied Function Science
Pediatrics
Where were you born: Sunny San Diego (I’m a rare breed)
Happy Place: Disneyland
Meal: Chicken tenders!
Destination To Travel: Spain, Greece, and Ireland are my top 3 places I want to visit
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? A working one. I don’t know much about cars 😉
Hobby: Line dancing, country music concerts, running.
Sports Team: Since the Chargers abandoned me, I married into being a Seahawks fan.
Musician: Anything country, but I do love me some Earth, Wind & Fire.
Book: I’m not sure, but I’m always looking for recommendations.
For What Would You Be Famous: World’s worst cook 🙂
Best Advice Ever Given: My high school teacher always said, ‘Nothing changes if nothing changes.’ You are in charge of your life and you can improve anything you are willing to work for!”
Natalie Fuller
ABOUT
Hi! I’m Natalie, but everyone calls me Fuller. I was born and raised here in San Diego, and attended school at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, where I received my B.S. in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science. After I graduated in 2018, I began working at Catalyst as a PT aide and learned so much from all the therapists. They inspired me to continue pushing myself to always be curious and ask questions. I love being active and surrounded by the health and wellness industry, so I took my career one step further. In 2020, I became a personal trainer and stretch therapist, and began working with athletes. Finally, I went back to school at Healing Hands School of Holistic Health and became a Certified Massage Therapist. My ultimate goal is to work in professional sports and become a Jack (Jane*) of all trades. I love working in Catalyst’s learning environment with these incredible people, and I look forward to becoming an asset to the Catalyst team!
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Personal training, Physical therapy
Where were you born: San Diego
Happy Place: The balcony at my house paired with a cup of coffee
Meal: My grandmothers “Seco” a traditional Ecuadorian meal
Destination To Travel: Ireland, Ecuador, India, Greece
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? VW Beatle convertible, because it’s a unique model that goes well with he beach
Hobby: Hiking, yoga, reading, swimming
Sports Team: Manchester United
Musician: Switchfoot, Alan Jackson, Sam Hunt, Dua Lipa
Book: Harry Potter Series, The Giver, The Princess Bride
For What Would You Be Famous: Talk show host, I’m a pretty nosy person
Best Advice Ever Given: Do random acts of kindness every day
Melanie Tuta
ABOUT
Hello everyone, I am Melanie! My expertise are in Medical Massage, specializing in Deep Tissue & Cupping Therapy. My education is from Pacific College of Health & Science in Massage Therapy & Asian Bodyworks. I am quite jovial in what I do and am genuinely fascinated with manipulating soft tissues to help reduce pain. Catalyst helps me fuel my 2 favorite passions: learning & helping people. Bonus facts about me are: I love soccer, dancing, and karaoke.
Katherine DeVos, PT, DPT
ABOUT
Katherine grew up in University City, a San Diego suburb. She was introduced to the world of physical therapy after numerous knee injuries from playing soccer. She moved to Northern California for college at UC Davis, and PT school at UCSF/SFSU, before moving to Evanston, Illinois for a couple years.
She is passionate about building impactful relationships with her patients, while providing well-rounded treatment to help them achieve their movement goals. She treats a wide variety of patients with various diagnoses, with a specific interest in helping patients recover from surgical procedures and lower extremity injuries or pain. She takes pride in developing treatment plans and creative exercises specific to patients’ lifestyle goals (e.g. return-to-sport, daily activity goals, etc). While Katherine takes an exercise-focused approach to treatment, she also regularly uses manual techniques such as hands-on cueing, soft tissue mobilization, and myofascial decompression (i.e. cup therapy).
In addition, Katherine provides pelvic health services, including helping patients with:
Katherine is excited to be a part of Catalyst PT & Wellness because it creates a positive environment that encourages both its staff and patients to live healthy, happy lives.
Alexis Escobar
ABOUT
Hi there! I’m new to San Diego, but find myself feeling right at home and super excited to see what’s next in this chapter for me. I attended college in my hometown of Irvine, CA, where I also was able to work alongside an amazing sports doctor who inspired me to pursue the world of sports medicine. I’m quite active in my day to day life, whether it’s boxing, dancing, and or hiking. I also coach a nationally-ranked youth cheer team. I’ve experienced how important it is for athletes to take care of themselves from my experience of being an athlete, coaching athletes, to now taking care of athletes! My ultimate goal is to bring value to the community of San Diego through holistic healing. I strive to be a better massage therapist than I was the day before and always to educate my clients on their bodies and how to truly take care of themselves. I’m excited to join the Catalyst team because I’m passionate about wellness and thrilled to be a part of a team where we work together to create an environment that is centered around holistic healing!
Kristi Vanprooyen
ABOUT
Kristi grew up in Grand Rapids MI, went to school at the University of Michigan, and just finished PT school at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston. Between undergrad and grad school, she spent time working as a personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach, where she was responsible for training athletes with an emphasis on speed and strength development, as well as injury prevention. Kristi is passionate about helping athletes and active adults discover their true potential through proper training, exercise and wellness. She is excited to be joining a team that values exceptional patient care, and invests in building a collaborative and welcoming environment.
Kristi grew up playing basketball and softball and has since started playing a variety of sports including spikeball, beach volleyball, and pickleball! In her free time, she also enjoys hiking, snowboarding, surfing, and pretty much any other activity that involves being outside.
Christian Morrison
Christian Morrison
ABOUT
Christian grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia. He completed his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at Temple University. He then graduated with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy
from Neumann University in 2024 before relocating to San Diego.
He is passionate about building a connection with his patients to find the most efficient ways to
to reach their goals and get back to the activities they love. Christian’s approach to patient care
includes both manual techniques and exercise to best prepare patients for success. As a new
grad, Christian brings a fresh outlook on the profession and plans to become certified in the
AFS model to best help patients reach their individualized goals.
Christian is excited to join the Catalyst team due to their holistic approach, friendly environment,
and commitment to exceptional care. Outside of work, Christian enjoys running, playing
basketball, spending time with loved ones, and adding to his sneaker collection!
Tiffany Wu
ABOUT
Tiffany graduated from UCSD with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Tiffany has been working in the physical therapy field since 2017 with an expertise in treating spine disorders and chronic pain. Her approach revolves around a multidisciplinary perspective, tailoring treatment plans to each patient’s unique needs.
Tiffany believes in a comprehensive treatment approach that relies heavily on clinical experience, biomechanics, functional and corrective exercise, various manual therapy techniques, and patient education to empower patients to engage in their recovery and take control of their well-being. She is excited to be part of the Catalyst team due to their holistic and collaborative approach to patient care where the focus is not only on alleviating pain, but improving overall health, enhancing well-being and returning to activities.
Tiffany is a self-proclaimed foodie and outside of work enjoys cooking and exploring the culinary scene in San Diego. She also enjoys going on adventures with her husband whether that’s camping, climbing, hiking or taking a hip hop dance class.
Christina Blohm
ABOUT
Christina is a driven and compassionate physical therapist who utilizes a variety of evidence-based techniques to help patients meet their individual goals. She specializes in a manual therapy approach, but has sought out a variety of additional training and certifications to support her patients since graduating in 2022 from the University of St. Augustine, including spinal mobilization, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, and blood flow restriction training. Driven for continuous growth, she also hopes to blend in functional multiplanar techniques through the AFS certification model.
She originally grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and performed her undergraduate work at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA. Christina is an avid hiker and, on the weekends, you can find her exploring a new trail with her dog.
Christina is excited to be joining the Catalyst Team due to their focus on whole body wellness and recovery. She enjoys working with a variety of patients, including those with orthopedic, sports-related, and neurological injuries, with a special interest in working with those with concussions and post-operative orthopedic rehabilitation.
Peter Hallett
ABOUT
Peter Hallett is a dynamic and compassionate physical therapist, dedicated to helping individuals regain their strength and reclaim their lives. A recent graduate from the University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences in San Marcos, CA, Peter brings a fresh perspective to the field with his strong manual therapy approach.
Peter made a bold move to drive to California with his dog, Bodhi in 2019. Outside the clinic, his adventurous spirit shines through activities like hiking, surfing, skiing, and leisurely walks with his dogs. He cherishes quality time with his loved ones, engaging in mini golf and lively board game nights.
Peter Hallett is a dedicated and compassionate physical therapist known for his strong manual therapy approach. His unwavering commitment to his profession stems from a deep empathy for those who have been sidelined by injury, fueling his determination to help them reclaim their independence and rediscover their passions. Driven by a desire for continuous growth, Peter plans to obtain certification in the AFS model, blending functional techniques with his manual therapy expertise. His ultimate goal is to guide individuals towards regaining their independence and reigniting their passions.
Peter is excited to work with you at Catalyst, where he chose to be a part of the team due to its supportive and healthy structure. With his expertise and the nurturing environment at Catalyst, Peter is dedicated to helping you on your path to recovery and wellness.
Andrew Wilson
ABOUT
Andrew is new to San Diego, from the Pacific Northwest, mainly Seattle. He has been a physical therapist for 7 years, and was trained on the sunny east coast of Australia. Andrew’s main goal for all of his patients is to improve their quality of life, have a smart return to the activities they love, and to enjoy the process of making life-long changes. Life is full of challenges and he wants to help guide his patients safely back to health. In his free time he enjoys golfing, surfing, cooking and traveling with his fiance’, Christine. He is excited to be part of the Catalyst because of the team’s upbeat and positive attitude and the high quality of physical therapy the company demands.
Andrew’s main interest outside of general orthopedic ailments is golf related injuries. He has been a recreational golfer from a young age and loves hitting the links with his friends and family. Helping injured golfers back out on the course is his top priority. He loves the golf community and wants you to be out there making memories too!
Andrew’s continuing education courses include Applied Functional Science and TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) certification. This allows him to break down the mechanics of a person’s golf swing and explain what areas of their bodies need to be worked on to improve form and decrease injury risk. He loves working alongside golf coaches and helping golfers understand how their body’s flexibility, strength, or coordination is affecting the shots they have on the course. In his sessions, he regularly relies on video analysis and hands-on biomechanical assessments to devise a treatment plan specifically for you.
We strongly encourage you to give Andrew a try if you’re looking to get more out of your body on the golf course. It doesn’t matter your skill level. If you’re looking to last longer in the sport, gain distance while hitting, improve your swing mechanics through training or bodywork then Andrew is your guy!
Comments like, “I’ve never swung the club this smoothly or easily before” is what Andrew is shooting for everyday!
Adam Moore
ABOUT
Adam’s approach to physical therapy focuses on restoring function through manual techniques and individualized exercise plans. He also believes in identifying and treating the root of the problem to reduce pain, improve function and decrease future injury risk. He’s also interested in what makes you, the patient, unique and personalizing your care to address all your needs, concerns, and goals. Adam is excited to be a part of Catalyst PT & Wellness because it fosters an environment that encourages both patients and employees to live an active and healthy lifestyle.
Adam is a transplant from central California where he grew up playing baseball and football, starting at a young age. He continues to compete in a local baseball league, which is why he gravitates towards patients with orthopedic sports-related problems. He graduated from California State University with his Doctorate in physical therapy in 2015. While earning his graduate degree, he interned with the Los Angeles Dodgers during spring training where he was able to hone his sports medicine skills, and work with a wide variety of medical and health professionals.
During his free time, Adam loves to spend time with his awesome wife, three energetic children, and dog.
Vinh Nguyen
ABOUT
Vinh was born and raised here in San Diego. Athletics were always a major part of his life. He developed for tennis at six years old and has continued to play competitively since. When he was 17 years old, he began coaching tennis. From developing his own skills to teaching the fundamentals to his students, he fostered an interest in analyzing movement from a sports-based perspective, aiming to specialize in sports PT to help unlock potential within athletes. This led him to pursue a degree in physical therapy. Vinh attended San Diego State University for both his undergraduate and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Having performed his last clinical rotation at a sports-based clinic, he has gained experience in working with athletes and returning them to playing the sports they love. He plans on obtaining a certification to be a Strength and Conditioning Specialist as well as in Applied Functional Science.
Outside of the PT space, Vinh is passionate about being active and playing sports, including tennis, pickleball, volleyball, and basketball. He also enjoys discovering new restaurants throughout San Diego.
Caitlin McDonald
ABOUT
Born and raised in Encinitas, California, Caitlin’s journey into physical therapy was shaped by her background as a high-level cheerleader with the California All Stars. Through cheerleading, she developed a deep appreciation for the physical demands placed on the body and the importance of injury prevention and recovery. This early exposure sparked her interest in the field and laid the foundation for her clinical career.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biopsychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she also gained hands-on experience as a physical therapy aide. Her commitment to the profession continued as she pursued her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree at New York Medical College. During her time there, she was inducted into the Alpha Eta Honor Society in recognition of her academic excellence.
After completing her doctoral training, Caitlin was drawn to the specialized field of pelvic floor physical therapy, recognizing its vital role in enhancing women’s health and overall quality of life. She has since completed advanced coursework in pelvic health, with focused training in areas such as pelvic pain, bladder dysfunction, diastasis recti, and prenatal and postpartum care. Caitlin takes a holistic and individualized approach to care, combining manual therapy, targeted exercise, and patient education to address a wide range of pelvic floor and musculoskeletal conditions. She is especially passionate about empowering women through education, encouraging proactive self-care and long-term wellness.
Caitlin is thrilled to be part of the Catalyst team, where the clinic’s core values strongly align with her own. She’s inspired by Catalyst’s positive work environment, where learning and professional growth are prioritized in order to better serve patients. Caitlin naturally embraces a patient-first mindset and is deeply aligned with Catalyst’s purposeful and multi-faceted approach—designing care plans that are evidence-based and driven by each individual’s personal goals.
Outside of the clinic, Caitlin enjoys traveling, hiking, Pilates, indoor cycling, and spending quality time with family and friends (including her goldendoodle, Coco!).
Bryan Gutierrez
ABOUT
I graduated from the International College of Holistic Studies for massage therapy. I specialize in deep tissue massage, sports recovery, and performance-enhancing bodywork. My approach blends holistic, intuitive, and science-based techniques to address the body as a whole. I take pride in helping clients not only feel better but also gain confidence. My goal is always to find and treat the root cause of discomfort, not just provide a temporary fix.
Outside of massage therapy, I enjoy staying active in the gym, exploring nature, and tending to my garden. Fun fact: I have a deep love for music and often experience frisson — that spine-tingling sensation when a song truly moves you.
Jessica Johnson
ABOUT
Hi, I’m Jess!
I studied massage therapy at Healing Hands School of Holistic Health through their Holistic Health Practitioner Program. Since then, I have worked as an HHP and CMT focusing on integrating various forms of body work, nervous system regulation, and emotional/mental tools to give my clients the personalized care that will best meet their goals. I enjoy weaving both Eastern and Western philosophies and understandings of the body to create a holistic approach to individual health and wellness. Some practices I enjoy bringing into sessions are Deep Tissue, Lomi Lomi, Tui Na, Shiatsu, Somatic Re-patterning, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, and Dynamic Cupping. So whether your goal is to decrease pain/inflammation, rest and relax, rebalance posture, break up scar tissue, or prenatal and postnatal care, I’ve got you covered.
Victor Molokwu
ABOUT
Hi, I’m Victor! I’ve been a massage therapist since 2018, and I work a lot with athletes, especially boxers and MMA fighters. I graduated from Pacific College of Health and Science and am currently finishing up my Holistic Health Practitioner (HHP) certification, always leveling up my skills to better serve my clients.
My style combines deep tissue, PNF, myofascial release, acupressure, assisted stretching, and Swedish techniques. Whether you’re an athlete in training or just looking to feel your best, I’m all about helping you move better, recover faster, and feel amazing.
Rebecca Seltmann
ABOUT
Rebecca was born in the Los Angeles area and moved to San Diego (Mira Mesa) when she was 5 years old. She grew up doing gymnastics from age 7-14 years old (her first job was a gymnastics coach), in high school she ran on the Track team (sprinted in the 100m and 200m dash, pole vaulted, ran 100m hurdles) and played Field Hockey. Her sophomore year in high school she went on a job shadow at a physical therapy clinic and fell in love with it! She went on to get her bachelor’s degree in Applied Health, Emphasis in Physical Therapy from Azusa Pacific University. She then obtained her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Regis University in Denver, Colorado. She found that she couldn’t trade the mountains for the ocean so she came back to southern California. She still loves nearly every part of physical therapy and has worked in the hospital setting, outpatient orthopedics, women’s health, vestibular, neurological, acute rehabilitation and home health. She is so excited to be joining the Catalyst team in pursuit of returning to her orthopedic roots and to work on specializing in pelvic floor PT. Her professional motto is “Attain optimal function,” and sought out Catalyst because of its holistic approach, excellence, positivity and team approach. Through manual therapy, postural analysis, customized exercise plans, stretches and education (sharing everything she has learned in her 17 years as a PT is one of her favorite things to give to her patients) she wants every patient to attain their most optimal function! She is constantly learning in order to provide even more excellent care and is so excited to explore Applied Functional Analysis and become certified.
Outside of work Rebecca has a wonderful family with her husband and two high energy kiddos. They love to travel, go to the beach, go camping, swim, hike and ride bikes together. Rebecca has a lifetime membership to Girl Scouts and enjoys volunteering with her daughter’s troop!
Maya Berkman
ABOUT
Maya is originally from Vernon Hills, Illinois moved to SF Bay Area in 2015. Since then, she has lived all over northern California, earning her B.S. in Exercise Physiology with a minor in Adapted Physical Activity at Chico State University and then her Doctor of Physical Therapy at University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. In January 2025, she moved to San Diego, where she lives with her sister and her sister’s 2 dogs.
Maya was a 3-sport athlete growing up, playing field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse. She tore her ACL in college, which propelled her to pursue physical therapy as a career after going through it herself. She has training in working with individuals with disabilities such as Autism and developmental delays, as well as did a full rotation at a neurological clinic that specialized in vertigo.
Outside of the clinic, Maya enjoys going for early morning hikes on the weekend, painting, and spending time with her sister’s dogs. In her free time, Maya likes to stay active by going to the gym and being part of a kickball rec league.
Kyle Cristal
ABOUT
Kyle grew up on the Central Coast of California and was educated in Philosophy as his undergraduate degree at San Francisco State University before moving to Oregon to become a massage therapist. This sparked his journey into the world of physical therapy, and he attended the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in San Marcos, here in San Diego. He’s worked as a PT for over three years and is excited to further his career with Catalyst PT and Wellness. His background in massage therapy drew his interest to the clinic and their philosophy, including their multifaceted approach involving collaborating, care with massage therapists and personal trainers. He is passionate about helping his patients reach their goals and beyond so they can keep up a healthy and active lifestyle.
Sophia Tiongson
ABOUT
I was born and raised in North Hollywood, CA and lived there until I started college. I graduated from CSULB with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science, then received my Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in 2025. In undergrad and prior to PT school I worked in retail at Hollister and as a bartender at AMC (yes the movie theater haha).
Throughout my years being an aide, I worked at a clinic focused on vestibular disorders, neurological conditions, and facial paralysis which really peaked my interest. During PT school, I had the opportunity to be exposed to many different settings, including wound care, sports, orthopedic care, aquatic therapy, pelvic health, and vestibular disorders, which has allowed me to grow and enhance my skills as a student physical therapist. During my last year of PT school, I received my level 1 certification for the APTA pelvic health course. With my experience during my last clinical rotation, I have gained skills and education helping patients with pelvic pain, incontinence, postpartum symptoms, diastasis recti, and labor preparation. With everything I have learned so far, I am ready to take my skills and knowledge to the next level with Catalyst while continuing to grow and improve each day.
Outside of the clinic, I love listening to live music at my favorite festivals and concerts, traveling with my friends, taking workout classes, eating good food, running, and simply spending time with people that I love and that make me laugh. I grew up playing basketball and volleyball, and have started playing a little bit of pickleball during PT school, so I would love to catch a game whenever I have the time!
Reagan Frame
ABOUT
Reagan is a PT that specializes in orthopedics, sports medicine, and pelvic health. Originally from the Bay Area, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Purdue University in Indiana before completing her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at San Diego State University. During her clinical training, she gained experience in both orthopedic and pelvic health settings.
Reagan’s passion for physical therapy began while working as an athletic training assistant with a football team. She loved being part of the recovery process and helping athletes safely return to the sports and activities they enjoyed. Her experience working in a nursing home also sparked a passion for helping older adults regain their independence and return to the activities that are meaningful to them. These experiences shaped her belief that physical therapy can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives at every age and stage. Clinically, Reagan enjoys working with a wide range of patients, from athletes and active individuals to those navigating pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and menopause. She has a particular interest in helping women manage the physical changes that occur throughout different stages of life and supporting them in maintaining strength, confidence, and quality of life. She also enjoys working with active individuals and athletes who want to stay strong, prevent injuries, and continue doing the activities they love.
Outside of the clinic, Reagan enjoys weightlifting, hiking, being involved in her church, and cheering on the Packers.
Gin Wight
ABOUT
Gin is a California native who earned her B.S. in Kinesiology with a minor in Gerontology from San Diego State University. She went on to earn her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Stony Brook University in New York before returning home to California to begin her career.
Gin works in orthopedics and women’s health/pelvic floor therapy. She loves working with patients who feel like a puzzle, taking the time to understand the “why” behind their pain or movement limitations. Her goal is not only to help patients feel better, but also to help them understand their bodies so they feel empowered to take an active role in their recovery.
Her approach to physical therapy is whole-body and individualized, looking at how the body moves and works together as a whole. When using manual therapy, she believes it should always have a purpose — whether that’s reducing pain, improving mobility, or helping someone move more comfortably. From there, she works with patients to improve movement efficiency, muscle activation, and coordination so they can return to the activities that matter most to them.
Gin is especially passionate about women’s health and pelvic floor conditions. She loves that this area of physical therapy allows her to look at the entire body and understand how everything works together. She also hopes to increase awareness and education around pelvic floor health, helping patients recognize that symptoms they may have been living with for years aren’t necessarily something they simply have to accept as “normal.” Helping someone regain confidence in their body and return to the activities they love is one of the most rewarding parts of her work.
Outside of the clinic, Gin loves traveling and exploring new places, spending time by the ocean, attending concerts, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
Brian Wilson
ABOUT
Brian Wilson is the owner of Catalyst Physical Therapy & Wellness and our partner gym, Catalyst Performance. His journey towards physical therapy began as a high school biology teacher and varsity soccer coach in an urban school district in Kansas City, Missouri where he grew up. He, like many of his colleagues, trained athletes the way he had been coached only to find out that not all bodies are built to withstand the same rigors of sport and life. Seeking out advice on how to cure his injured athletes, Brian stumbled into an open house for physical therapy. After conversing and picking the brain of several university professors, Brian found himself being interviewed for a position in the upcoming Master’s class. From that night on, Brian has been on a mission to change the way people treat their bodies.
He earned his Master’s in Physical Therapy (MPT) from Rockhurst University in 2006 and moved to California the following year to pursue experience in the field of functional physical therapy. He routinely draws from his teaching and coaching days to help people from all ages and walks of life to find purpose behind working out and becoming healthy. He uses his infectious personality to motivate others, regardless of their current status, to grow beyond their prior level of function and become better than they ever knew possible.
When Brian is not actively treating or designing a training program for a group of athletes, he dedicates his efforts to expanding the Catalyst empire, focusing on enhancing the outreach initiatives and community connections. He remains passionate about working collaboratively with the team to foster a more holistic approach in physical therapy, emphasizing comprehensive treatment methods and actively engaging with the community to promote healthier lifestyle choices. His commitment lies in not just treating patients, but also in evolving the profession to better serve and integrate with the lives of those we help.
During his free time, Brian finds his greatest joy in getting to be a kid again while playing with his 3 children and wife, Alicia. Since becoming a “Wilson Party of Five” he has found less time for his racing endeavors but enjoys each new chapter that unfolds with the active lifestyle he lives. He regularly enjoys coaching, traveling, running, cycling, skiing, adventure racing, fishing, hiking, and getting outside – in moderation of course!☺
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT:
Functional Medicine: CAFS – Certificate of Applied Functional Science Gray Institute
Golf Fitness: TPI – Titleist Performance Expert Level 1
Bike Fitting: BIKEFIT Pro Level 1
Clinical Instructor: APTA Certified Clinical Instructor
Cycling Coach – USA Cycling
Where were you born: Kansas City, Missouri
Happy Place: Mountains
Meal: Steak and Veggies
Destination To Travel: Pacific Northwest
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? Electric Truck or Land Rover Defender 110
Hobby : Woodworking; tinkering; and outdoors adventure
Sports Team: The Chiefs
Musician: Chris Stapleton
Book: Practically Radical
For What Would You Be Famous: Inability to say no
Best Advice Ever Given: Happy Wife, Happy Life and Slow Down
Lizzy Treeheart
ABOUT
Lizzy Treeheart grew up in a small farming community in Indiana and obtained her undergraduate degree from Purdue University for Athletic Training in 1991 and graduate degree from University of Indianapolis in 1994. She’s attended many years of continuing education in various techniques, mainly visceral and neural manipulation from the Barral Institute, along with ongoing training in Intuition Training with international Intuitive Counselor, Beth Green.
Lizzy brings intuitive wisdom and a deeply integrative touch to her work at Catalyst Physical Therapy & Wellness. Specializing in visceral manipulation and craniosacral techniques, she supports healing that honors the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. These techniques are applicable from those who suffer chronic pain to high level athletes.
Known by many for her “healing hands,” Lizzy blends clinical skill with an attuned presence, helping patients access their innate capacity for recovery and balance. Her treatments focus on releasing physical and emotional tension, restoring movement, and deepening the connection between each patient and their body’s inner wisdom.
Outside the treatment room, Lizzy finds joy in nature, mindfulness, and community healing circles. Her care philosophy is rooted in trust, listening, and transformation—because true healing begins from within.
Elena Hapke
ABOUT
Saleena Kench
ABOUT
Pedro "Alex" Salgado
ABOUT
Hello, my name is Alex. I have 7 years of experience in the healthcare field with extensive training in massage therapy, including neuromuscular therapy. I am always learning as much as I can about the body, and I love helping others do what they love by helping to keep their bodies healthy and pain-free. Outside of work, I am an outdoor enthusiast! I am excited to join the Catalyst team because I want to be a part of a team that truly cares about the health and wellness of their community!
Melanie Tuta
ABOUT
Zoe Drews
ABOUT
Zoe brings a dynamic blend of creativity, organization, and community-focused leadership to their work. With a diverse background in arts, education, and nonprofit management, Zoe is passionate about fostering inclusive environments where all voices are heard. They hold a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and have experience in a variety of roles, from teaching and directing to customer service and administrative support.
Driven by a passion for social change, Zoe is excited to continue making a meaningful impact within the Catalyst community. Zoe is particularly committed to amplifying underrepresented voices and championing equity-driven initiatives. Their work is fueled by a dedication to creating more inclusive and compassionate spaces.
Sarah Schafer
ABOUT
I was born and raised in Northern California, and graduated from Sonoma State University with a BA in Communications and Media Studies and a minor in film. After graduating, I worked on film sets as a production assistant before moving to Seattle to explore the Pacific Northwest. I spent 3 years working in marketing for physical therapy in Washington. I recently moved to San Diego and wanted to continue that journey here at Catalyst.
Outside of work I enjoy traveling, spending time with my twin nieces, walking to coffee shops, and attending San Diego Wave games. I love to spend my time with my family and friends exploring what San Diego has to offer. I’m excited about the future opportunities that lie ahead here in San Diego and at Catalyst!
Christian Morrison
Christian Morrison
ABOUT
Christian grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia. He completed his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at Temple University. He then graduated with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy
from Neumann University in 2024 before relocating to San Diego.
He is passionate about building a connection with his patients to find the most efficient ways to
to reach their goals and get back to the activities they love. Christian’s approach to patient care
includes both manual techniques and exercise to best prepare patients for success. As a new
grad, Christian brings a fresh outlook on the profession and plans to become certified in the
AFS model to best help patients reach their individualized goals.
Christian is excited to join the Catalyst team due to their holistic approach, friendly environment,
and commitment to exceptional care. Outside of work, Christian enjoys running, playing
basketball, spending time with loved ones, and adding to his sneaker collection!
Franco Loza
ABOUT
Franco is originally from Natalia, Texas. After serving in the United States Marine Corps, he went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Sports and Health Sciences at American Public University and his Masters degree from Point Loma Nazarene University in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sports Performance. Prior to completing physical therapy school at the University of Miami, he was a strength and conditioning coach at the University of California San Diego, the University of Southern California, and EXOS. He is passionate about helping others get from where they are currently to where they want to be.
Outside of work, he enjoys staying active and participates in BJJ along with other martial arts here in San Diego. He is looking forward to making an impact within the community!
Alexis Escobar
ABOUT
Hi there! I’m new to San Diego, but find myself feeling right at home and super excited to see what’s next in this chapter for me. I attended college in my hometown of Irvine, CA, where I also was able to work alongside an amazing sports doctor who inspired me to pursue the world of sports medicine. I’m quite active in my day to day life, whether it’s boxing, dancing, and or hiking. I also coach a nationally-ranked youth cheer team. I’ve experienced how important it is for athletes to take care of themselves from my experience of being an athlete, coaching athletes, to now taking care of athletes! My ultimate goal is to bring value to the community of San Diego through holistic healing. I strive to be a better massage therapist than I was the day before and always to educate my clients on their bodies and how to truly take care of themselves. I’m excited to join the Catalyst team because I’m passionate about wellness and thrilled to be a part of a team where we work together to create an environment that is centered around holistic healing!
Adam Moore
ABOUT
Adam’s approach to physical therapy focuses on restoring function through manual techniques and individualized exercise plans. He also believes in identifying and treating the root of the problem to reduce pain, improve function and decrease future injury risk. He’s also interested in what makes you, the patient, unique and personalizing your care to address all your needs, concerns, and goals. Adam is excited to be a part of Catalyst PT & Wellness because it fosters an environment that encourages both patients and employees to live an active and healthy lifestyle.
Adam is a transplant from central California where he grew up playing baseball and football, starting at a young age. He continues to compete in a local baseball league, which is why he gravitates towards patients with orthopedic sports-related problems. He graduated from California State University with his Doctorate in physical therapy in 2015. While earning his graduate degree, he interned with the Los Angeles Dodgers during spring training where he was able to hone his sports medicine skills, and work with a wide variety of medical and health professionals.
During his free time, Adam loves to spend time with his awesome wife, three energetic children, and dog.
Connor Kirchhof
ABOUT
Connor obtained a Holistic Health Practitioner certification from the International Professional School of Bodywork (IPSB) in 2014 and a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise and Nutrition Science from Bastyr University in 2020. For over a decade, Connor has worked with many types of people from all walks of life, whether it is the athlete trying to improve their performance, the military servicemen beat up from long hours, or any number of people dealing with pain limiting their freedom.
He is excited to work with Catalyst due to the great team of massage therapists, physical therapists, and personal trainers that can work synergistically to give the best quality of care for anyone coming through our doors. Connor has the education to take what the PTs find in their assessment to give the most focused and appropriate care during his massages.
When he is not doing massages, he will usually be found outside, easy money being the beach. Volleyball in the morning and Latin dancing at night, he finds many avenues to get moving and knows what it’s like to work hard and play hard. He is also usually found with his personal golden shadow, Gabby. Thirteen years of adventures and play have created many memories, and the people who know them see the special connection you can only see with a boy and his dog.
Kristi Vanprooyen
ABOUT
Kristi grew up in Grand Rapids MI, went to school at the University of Michigan, and just finished PT school at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston. Between undergrad and grad school, she spent time working as a personal trainer and strength and conditioning coach, where she was responsible for training athletes with an emphasis on speed and strength development, as well as injury prevention. Kristi is passionate about helping athletes and active adults discover their true potential through proper training, exercise and wellness. She is excited to be joining a team that values exceptional patient care, and invests in building a collaborative and welcoming environment.
Kristi grew up playing basketball and softball and has since started playing a variety of sports including spikeball, beach volleyball, and pickleball! In her free time, she also enjoys hiking, snowboarding, surfing, and pretty much any other activity that involves being outside.
Stephanie Williams
ABOUT
Stephanie is a Michigan transplant who completed her BA in Psychology at the University of San Diego. After working for 4 years in outpatient orthopedics, she decided to pursue her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at San Diego State University.
As a lifelong student herself, Stephanie strives to appropriately educate her patients so that as a team they can work towards functional goals that are meaningful and significant. She has a background in Applied Functional Science and is dedicated to providing individualized care focused on maximizing function and quality of life.
While Stephanie enjoys working with patients of all ages and diagnoses. She has a special interest in serving those who have received cancer diagnoses, who are undergoing cancer treatment, and cancer survivors. For this reason, she is actively pursuing her Specialist Certification in Oncology.
When she is not treating patients, Stephanie enjoys paddleboarding in the bay, cycling, rock climbing, hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends & family. She is excited to be at Catalyst for both the positive team environment and emphasis on a holistic approach to patient care.
Tiffany Wu
ABOUT
Tiffany graduated from UCSD with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. Tiffany has been working in the physical therapy field since 2017 with an expertise in treating spine disorders and chronic pain. Her approach revolves around a multidisciplinary perspective, tailoring treatment plans to each patient’s unique needs.
Tiffany believes in a comprehensive treatment approach that relies heavily on clinical experience, biomechanics, functional and corrective exercise, various manual therapy techniques, and patient education to empower patients to engage in their recovery and take control of their well-being. She is excited to be part of the Catalyst team due to their holistic and collaborative approach to patient care where the focus is not only on alleviating pain, but improving overall health, enhancing well-being and returning to activities.
Tiffany is a self-proclaimed foodie and outside of work enjoys cooking and exploring the culinary scene in San Diego. She also enjoys going on adventures with her husband whether that’s camping, climbing, hiking or taking a hip hop dance class.
Christina Blohm
ABOUT
Christina is a driven and compassionate physical therapist who utilizes a variety of evidence-based techniques to help patients meet their individual goals. She specializes in a manual therapy approach, but has sought out a variety of additional training and certifications to support her patients since graduating in 2022 from the University of St. Augustine, including spinal mobilization, instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, and blood flow restriction training. Driven for continuous growth, she also hopes to blend in functional multiplanar techniques through the AFS certification model.
She originally grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and performed her undergraduate work at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA. Christina is an avid hiker and, on the weekends, you can find her exploring a new trail with her dog.
Christina is excited to be joining the Catalyst Team due to their focus on whole body wellness and recovery. She enjoys working with a variety of patients, including those with orthopedic, sports-related, and neurological injuries, with a special interest in working with those with concussions and post-operative orthopedic rehabilitation.
Brynn Frauenhoff
ABOUT
Brynn grew up in Colorado and was introduced to physical therapy after multiple knee, back,
and shoulder injuries as a dancer, gymnast, and swimmer/diver. She graduated with her B.S. in
Health and Exercise Science from Colorado State University in 2018, and completed her
Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Baylor University in 2021. She spent the past two years in
Vermont and recently relocated to San Diego.
She is passionate about connecting with her patients, educating them about their bodies and their care, and giving her patients the tools and guidance to help themselves and reach their goals. Brynn treats a wide variety of conditions, but she is most passionate about treating those with pelvic health concerns that include, but are not limited to:
● Urinary and fecal incontinence
● Urinary urgency
● Constipation
● Pregnancy
● Labor and delivery preparation
● Postpartum
● Pelvic Pain (Male and Female)
● Pelvic Organ Prolapse
● Pain with intercourse
● Interstitial Cystitis
Brynn utilizes both manual techniques and exercise to ensure her patients are getting the care
they need in order to return to the activities and life that they love. Brynn is excited to be part of
the Catalyst PT team due to their positive environment and the holistic approach to care.
Outside of work, she enjoys being active, hiking, playing board games, spending time with her
partner, and finding new and delicious places to eat!
Peter Hallett
ABOUT
Peter Hallett is a dynamic and compassionate physical therapist, dedicated to helping individuals regain their strength and reclaim their lives. A recent graduate from the University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences in San Marcos, CA, Peter brings a fresh perspective to the field with his strong manual therapy approach.
Peter made a bold move to drive to California with his dog, Bodhi in 2019. Outside the clinic, his adventurous spirit shines through activities like hiking, surfing, skiing, and leisurely walks with his dogs. He cherishes quality time with his loved ones, engaging in mini golf and lively board game nights.
Peter Hallett is a dedicated and compassionate physical therapist known for his strong manual therapy approach. His unwavering commitment to his profession stems from a deep empathy for those who have been sidelined by injury, fueling his determination to help them reclaim their independence and rediscover their passions. Driven by a desire for continuous growth, Peter plans to obtain certification in the AFS model, blending functional techniques with his manual therapy expertise. His ultimate goal is to guide individuals towards regaining their independence and reigniting their passions.
Peter is excited to work with you at Catalyst, where he chose to be a part of the team due to its supportive and healthy structure. With his expertise and the nurturing environment at Catalyst, Peter is dedicated to helping you on your path to recovery and wellness.
Monserrat "Mo" Schwarz
ABOUT
Kaitlyn Krehbiel
ABOUT
Hi, my name is Kaitlyn Krehbiel and I am an undergraduate at SDSU majoring in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology. I grew up both playing and watching sports with my Dad. We would spend Saturdays going to the field and practicing or Sundays watching football. I started working at Catalyst as a volunteer and am so excited to now be an aide. All of the PTs and other aides were so welcoming and friendly. I am very excited to continue learning from everyone at Catalyst!
Tayler Berblinger
ABOUT
Hello! My name is Tayler Berblinger. I’m a San Diego native and I’m currently going to SDSU to study physical therapy. I love animals, the outdoors, lifting, hiking & surfing! I chose physical therapy because I discovered my passion after I, myself, went to PT for a Tibial Stress Fracture! At the end of the day, I’d love to help people and make a positive difference in the world. I’m beyond excited to work for Catalyst – the energy at this clinic is unmatched! Everyone is so upbeat, polite, and supportive. I’ve never learned so much in such a short amount of time with such kind, wise, and knowledgeable doctors! I’m blessed to have this opportunity, and I hope everyone enjoys their time here like I do!
Jenna Miller
ABOUT
Hi, my name is Jenna! I was born and raised in San Luis Obispo, CA, but moved to San Diego a few years ago for school. I’m currently studying Kinesiology at San Diego State University and I eventually plan to become a PA specializing in cardiology. In my free time, I love spending time with my family, friends, and puppies! I’m very excited to be joining the Catalyst family and look forward to getting to know all patients and team members!
Kelly Fine
ABOUT
Kelly grew up on a ranch in Lompoc, CA. She became interested in physical therapy while in high school due to some injuries while running track. She went to Allan Hancock College before transferring to California State University Fresno where she received her BS in PT and then her Masters in PT.
Kelly and her now retired husband lived in the Bass Lake, CA area for 22 years before moving to San Diego. They have a 25 year old daughter and the three of them love to travel.
Kelly has over 25 years of experience treating patients of all ages and a wide variety of diagnoses. Her goal is to help people get to or stay at a functional level so that they can enjoy all aspects of their life. Her motto is that tomorrow is not guaranteed, so do everything you want to do now.
She is excited to join the dynamic team at Catalyst so that she can be a part of the great changes they make in people’s lives.
Dylan Hennings
ABOUT
Hi I’m Dylan! I was born and raised here in San Diego and developed a passion for sports and fitness at an early age. I played football, basketball and lacrosse throughout high school and love anything involving a board. I’m currently studying kinesiology and aspire to become a physical therapist in the near future. I’m excited to be apart of the Catalyst team and look forward to learning as much as possible!
Christian Hotaling
ABOUT
Hi, my name is Christian and I am studying Nutrition and Exercise Science at Miramar College and will be transferring to SDSU. Born in Syracuse, New York, I moved to San Diego when I was very young. I coach high school football and love sports! I played a variety of sports throughout my youth, and I try to pick up whatever I can today. I’m also a musician and I’m learning new instruments all the time. When I manage to find free time, I’m usually cooking or baking, doing archery, or weightlifting. I am extremely excited to work with and learn from such knowledgeable and kind people at Catalyst!
Zachary Songco
ABOUT
Hi, I’m Zach! I grew up in Thousand Oaks, California, and am studying Kinesiology with an emphasis in Physical Therapy at San Diego State University. I got my interest in physical therapy after getting injured throughout the years playing basketball competitively, and always being in a PT clinic recovering. Recently, I’ve been more motivated by my mom after she tore her meniscus, and I wanted to do anything to help her recover as fast as possible so she can travel and stay active as she loves to do.
I love traveling and being active too, mainly playing basketball, hiking, and going to the gym. I enjoy more mellow activities just as much, relaxing at the beach, listening to music, reading, cooking, playing video games, and watching sports. In the future, I want to help people prevent and recover from injuries so they can go back to doing the activities they love.
Catalyst has an amazing team that is so welcoming, helpful, and educated about human movement and I’m super excited to work here, and keep learning from them while helping out patients.
Cody Jung
ABOUT
My name is Cody, and I am a student and aspiring PT, with a background in teaching and sports retail. Most recently, I’ve spent the last four years as a professional cyclist on the US Paralympic national team, which culminated in a 4th place in the Men’s (C4 classification) Individual Time Trial. In my free time, I love to get outside with my wife Evelyn, our daughter Emi, and our pup Maple. Hiking, biking, camping…and most recently running, we love to get out there! I am really excited to join the Catalyst team and get to know all of our awesome patients. See you in the gym!
Casandra Mendez
ABOUT
My name is Casandra, and I was born and raised in El Paso, TX. I’ve been living in San Diego for eight years and am currently studying at Cal State San Marcos for my undergrad in Kinesiology with the goal to continue into PT school to become a physical therapist one day. My interest in PT sparked when I endured an ACL injury in high school playing basketball. I enjoy being active and also enjoy eating great food. I think San Diego is the perfect place for both! I am grateful to be part of such an amazing team; I’m excited to gain experience from such knowledgeable staff in order to begin helping people through movement!
Kaitlyn Watcher
ABOUT
Hi! My name is Kaitlyn! I’m originally from Los Angeles but moved to San Diego 5 years ago to pursue my undergraduate degree in Child and Family Development at San Diego State University. I am now in graduate school to pursue my Master of Social Work degree through a virtual program at the University of Southern California. In my free time, I am always trying to check another thing off my bucket list by learning and engaging in new things, traveling, and site-seeing. I also love all things art, hiking, and spending time with my friends and family. I truly am so excited to work at Catalyst because of the positive environment and genuine team I will be working with. It is clear how knowledgeable each and every member of the team is and I am really grateful to have the chance to be a part of that and to be able to watch every unique patient’s journey toward recovery here.
Paiten Rodriguez
ABOUT
Hi my name is Paiten!! I grew up in Texas and just recently moved to the San Diego area. I grew up playing soccer, and have always loved being active. I am a super excited to be apart of the Catalyst Team! Catalyst is a very upbeat and positive environment! I love seeing our patients get the therapy they need to get back to their normal and active lifestyles
Tekeiya Jordan
ABOUT
Hi Y’all! I’m Tekeiya (Ta-Key-Uh) , a fiery Aries originally from Richmond, Virginia and have recently relocated to San Diego. I graduated from Radford University in 2017 with a degree in business management, but helping people has always been my passion and that is what pulled me towards wanting to work in a physical therapy setting. Outside of work I love to watch football (Go Commanders!) and to cook. I like to consider myself a Marvel nerd, I have watched every movie in order at least 3 times. I also love The Office so stop on by the front desk and give me your favorite Office quote :).
Rose Duran
ABOUT
Hi, I’m Rose. I was born in Lynwood, CA, but eventually moved and grew up in Spokane, WA for about 10 years before moving back to California. I enlisted in the Army National Guard when I was 18, right out of high school and recently just got back from a deployment. I am currently enrolled in Western Governors University. My hobbies include hiking, watching movies, cooking, baking, and reading! If you have any good book recommendations, make sure to stop by the front desk and let me know – I’m always looking to build my book collection. I am super excited to work alongside some really kind, caring, and hard working people here at Catalyst Physical Therapy.
Kiona Murray
ABOUT
Hi, I’m Kiona! I’m originally from the Bay Area but moved down here for school to attend SDSU. I am currently studying bioengineering and aspire to create innovative designs that can be applied in the medical field. In my free time I love to go into nature and attempt to be mindful in the moment as I either paint, read, or listen to music. I am excited to be part of the Catalyst team so I can help contribute to improving the lives of others while also gaining knowledge for a more holistic approach later in my career.
Astri Pulliam
ABOUT
Hi, my name is Astri Pulliam! I was born and raised in Northern California and I’m currently studying kinesiology at SDSU. After I graduate, I plan to go to PA school in hopes of becoming a Physician Assistant specializing in sports medicine. I grew up playing soccer, which has led me to love staying active and become interested in the field of sports medicine. In my free time, I love to workout, hike, go to the beach, listen to music, and spend time with family and friends! I’m so excited to be a part of such a great team at Catalyst!
Eduardo Gonzalez
ABOUT
Hey! I’m Eduardo. I was born in Guanajuato, Mexico and raised in a small town inside California’s Central Valley. In 2019 I moved to San Diego to finish my undergraduate degree at SDSU. I earned a B.S. in Kinesiology shortly after and decided to stay in Southern California to work towards my goal of becoming a strength and conditioning coach for a collegiate or professional soccer team. Aside from soccer and training, I’m into photography, learning new languages, and the beach!
Olivia Sherwood
ABOUT
Olivia grew up in Yakima, WA. She completed her undergraduate degree at Eastern Washington University in Exercise Science in 2019, then graduated with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine in San Marcos, CA in 2022.
Olivia was first introduced to physical therapy after numerous running injuries. She found her love of physical therapy as a patient, and was drawn to the career after seeing how it could improve a person’s quality of life, promote a healthy lifestyle, and get people back to doing the things they love!
Olivia’s approach is well-rounded, with both manual techniques and exercise to ensure a comprehensive program built for each individual patient to get them back to doing what they love. Olivia’s excited to be joining the Catalyst PT team due to the wide variety of patients, the ability to expand her knowledge through Applied Functional Science, and be a part of a cohesive team.
Outside of work Olivia enjoys running, cycling, hiking, and spending time with loved ones!
Jane Foreyt
ABOUT
Jane grew up in rural Washington state, where she completed her undergraduate studies at Western Washington University and DPT program at Eastern Washington University. After graduation in 2014, Jane moved from Washington to Louisiana to Virginia, working in various PT settings, before settling in San Diego in 2018. Some of her hobbies include hiking, paddle boarding, snowboarding, gardening, and spending time with her family- her husband and two dobermans.
She is passionate about helping patients get back to their hobbies, athletics, activities of daily living, and careers. Physical therapy has a reputation of being “Pain and Torture,” but Jane strives to make every treatment fun, dynamic, and educational. She is excited to be part of the Catalyst PT and Wellness team because of the holistic approach they take toward healing, and their commitment to clinical excellence and professional development.
Patrick Miazgowicz
ABOUT
Patrick was born and raised in Dearborn, Michigan. He grew up playing basketball, baseball, and football and wanted to take his passion for sports into his career with him. He attended Grand Valley State University and received his bachelor’s of science in clinical exercise science. During this time as well as shortly after, he worked on the medical staff of the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Detroit Lions for athletic training. He went on to attend the University of St. Augustine in San Marcos where he received his doctorate of physical therapy and has stayed in southern California ever since.
Patrick’s hobbies include continuing to play basketball, baseball, and football as much as
possible. He also enjoys working out, hiking, going to the beach, surfing, and the active lifestyle
that San Diego has to offer!
Patrick’s treatment approach to patient care involves functional techniques utilizing an AFS
model in conjunction with manual therapy through joint mobilizations, spinal manipulation,
IASTM, therapeutic modalities, KT taping, biomechanical neuromuscular correction, and many
more. Patrick has a background in personal training, as well as experience working on the
medical staff of professional sports teams in the athletic training realm to which he
incorporates into his treatment process of injury rehabilitation.
Patrick is excited to work at Catalyst due to the incredible culture and professionalism that the
organization incorporates daily, as well as the ability to expand his knowledge of general
population and athletic-related injury treatments.
Jasmin Pimentel
ABOUT
Jasmin Pimentel received her certificate in Massage Therapy and Asian Body Work from the Pacific College of Health and Science in 2018. It was there that she specialized in integrating western and eastern techniques to offer a holistic approach to the body that focuses on emotional and physical tension. She also holds her Associates Degree in Biology from Southwestern College. Jasmin is passionate about continuing her education, and obtaining skills that allow her to help others reach their health goals.
Jasmin is very excited to join the Catalyst team because she strongly believes in investing in our bodies. She understands that time, effort, and discipline are essential for our healing journeys so she intends to be a safe space and mentor to her clients. As a former student athlete, Jasmin also aspires to educate young athletes about proper body mechanics, and prioritizing self care to prevent injuries and promote speedy recoveries.
Jasmin was born and raised in the San Diego South Bay, so the beach definitely feels like home for her. She now spends most of her free time on park dates, or the living room floor with her young son Oliver. Jasmin also enjoys baking desserts and pastries to share at parties with friends and family.
Kyle Reames
ABOUT
I am a San Diego native born in Mission Valley, and I have been practicing massage therapy for 13 years. I grew up in music, my dad plays the bass and sings a bit; my brother is a classically trained percussionist, as well as a self-taught guitar and piano player. I played the trumpet all through grade school, marching band in high school, and into college where I also minored in vocal performance.
In 2010 I started at Mueller College of Holistic Studies here in San Diego, and was able to get some hands-on learning with Bill Mueller himself before his passing.
I am excited to be a part of the Catalyst team because helping people succeed in their health and wellness goals is very rewarding, and it brings me joy!
Casey Sung
ABOUT
Hi, I’m Casey! I was born and raised on the East Coast, but moved to San Diego for my husband’s job and in hopes of starting a new chapter. I received my bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education at Towson University back home in Maryland and used to be a first grade teacher. I love to hang out with my family and friends, listen to music, cook, and learn more about photography. I am very excited to meet new people, create new experiences, and be a part of the Catalyst team!
Callie Corzine
ABOUT
Hello, my name is Callie and I am an undergraduate kinesiology pre-physical therapy major student at San Diego State. I grew up in Ridgecrest, CA, where I developed a love for the outdoors. Whether it is hiking, snowboarding, or tennis, the outdoors is where I spend most of my time. I began at Catalyst as a patient last July and was able to volunteer in the following months. The staff was so friendly and knowledgeable that I cannot wait to continue my time here as a PT aide.
Raigan Simar
ABOUT
Hey! My name is Raigan and I am from Salt Lake City, UT! I am studying Kinesiology with an emphasis in Physical Therapy at SDSU. I grew up doing competitive dance, and have always had a strong passion for health and wellness. When I’m not at work or school, I enjoy watching my favorite teams play (Utah Jazz, LA Kings, and Padres)! My goal after undergrad is to attend physical therapy school. I have loved all the time I have spent at Catalyst so far and look forward to my time as a PT-aide!
Cameron Gall
ABOUT
I’m Cameron, born and raised in Anderson, Indiana, in a family with 5 brothers competing in sports all of my life and enjoying anything active. I spent 6 years on active duty in the Air Force, where I got the chance to travel the world and live overseas for most of that time. I am currently pursuing grad school for Physical Therapy, but when I am not working I spend most of my down time with my wife and our two dogs traveling from state to state. My hobbies include weightlifting, visiting new countries, and sporting events.
Emily Reeder
ABOUT
Hi, my name is Emily! I am from Austin, Texas and am currently studying Biology at SDSU. I enjoy many things such as hiking, going to the beach, and playing guitar. I started my journey at Catalyst as a volunteer and am very excited to further my education and patient care experience here as an aide.
Chloe Jones
ABOUT
Hi, I’m Chloe! I was born and raised here in San Diego, and I am lucky to still call it home! I earned my bachelor’s in psychology, as well as a minor in Spanish and Human Resources at San Diego State University. I am hoping to continue my education in hopes of pursuing a career in physical therapy and eventually working with professional athletes. I love the beach, reading, and most of all cooking so feel free to share your favorite recipes with me at the front desk! I also have a huge travel bug, so recommendations are welcomed! Beyond that, I am so excited to be a part of such an upbeat and hardworking team at Catalyst!
RYAN CAMPBELL
ABOUT
Ryan grew up in Northern California, in the coastal area of Santa Cruz. He played a variety of sports as a kid, but quickly gravitated more and more towards the water. Ryan began competitive swimming and water polo, participated in the Junior Lifeguards program, and became passionate about surfing. Ryan attended UC Santa Barbara for his undergraduate education, receiving a degree in Environmental Studies, with a minor in Exercise and Health Science in 2006. Ryan then attended the Graduate Program in Physical Therapy at UC San Francisco / San Francisco State University, where he earned a Masters in Science and Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2012. Ryan spent the first four years of his career working in outpatient physical therapy in Santa Barbara CA.
After tying the knot with his wonderful wife Lindsay, Ryan spent the next 5+ years practicing outpatient physical therapy in the state of Rhode Island.Ryan and Lindsay are happy to now be returning to sunny CA with their wild but lovable cat, Leo.
Outside of work, Ryan can be found in the ocean surfing, or swimming with a camera making ocean art and surf photography. Ryan has found a new appreciation and addiction to analog photography and vintage cameras, and loves to talk photography to anyone who will listen.Ryan and his wife Lindsay love to participate in adaptive surf therapy organizations, spend time at the beach, and love finding good breweries and coffee shops to enjoy.
Ryan’s approach to physical therapy is a combination of strong manual skills, including soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, craniosacral mobilization techniques and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques to get his clients moving more efficiently. Manual therapy techniques are always complimented with targeted exercise to further maximize any gains, and allow clients to progress towards their goals. Ryan is excited to join the Catalyst team to work alongside a motivated and talented group of therapists in a family-oriented business, and further his knowledge and skills in Applied Functional Science techniques.
MARIEDEL CAWILE
ABOUT
Hello, my name is Mariedel! I attended IPSB Massage Therapy College where I received my Associate’s degree in Holistic Health. My concentration was in NMT (Neuromuscular Therapy) and traditional Thai, but I love using NMT work more. I was also trained in lymphatic drainage massage that is used in Brazil, which is more of a body sculpting with lymphatic drainage built into it. I am also currently enrolled at SDSU for Speech, Language, and Hearing. I love helping people, and being able to watch them improve themselves!
DAVID KELLEY
ABOUT
Hi, my name is David! I was born and raised in California and have been living in San Diego for the past 8 years. I grew up active and loved playing any type of sport. Before I graduated high school, I enlisted in the Navy and spent six years living in different parts of the country and visiting quite a few countries. I realized I wanted to be a Physical Therapist when I got out of the military and thus began schooling right away. I’m now a Kinesiology major with a Pre-PT emphasis at SDSU. In my free time I enjoy weightlifting, hiking with my dog and wife, and reading. I’m honored to work beside the knowledgeable, caring staff at Catalyst and I hope to learn as much as I can during my time here.
LANIE HINDENES
ABOUT
Hi, my name is Lanie! I was born in Arizona and currently study Kinesiology and Psychology as an undergraduate student at SDSU. I love to be active! I grew up running competitively and I now waterski for my school. In my free time I like to surf, hike, camp, meditate, read and paint! In the future, I hope to help people improve their health both physically and mentally! I am super excited to join the welcoming and supportive Catalyst team!
AIDAN FISK
ABOUT
Hi, I’m Aidan! I graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with a BS in Applied Health,, and my goal is to one day earn my DPT and become a physical therapist. I enjoy driving my car (’03 Toyota Celica GTS, 6-speed), playing guitar, and spending time with the people I love. I love working at Catalyst because every employee is invested in the well-being of the patients, the clinic, and their coworkers. PT should be personal and individual, and I believe the staff at Catalyst make that happen.
BESS CHRISTIANSEN
ABOUT
Bess holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from San Diego State University and has been practicing Physical Therapy since 2015. Bess received her National Certification of Massage Therapy from The Boulder College of Massage Therapy in 2002, and has been hands-on for 20 years, making her a valuable and versatile asset to the Catalyst Physical Therapy and Wellness team. She serves as a Clinical Instructor for the local physical therapist assistant program and plays an active role in the development of the profession. She is also the Director of Massage at Catalyst PT and Wellness and enjoys sharing clinical pearls, coaching and advocating in the massage therapy department. She has been fortunate to work with athletes of all levels, and is an advocate for patient education and injury prevention. She is a Massage Therapist for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, and has worked on numerous tournaments including the Tokyo2020 Summer Olympics in Japan. She is also a Massage Therapist for the U.S. Rugby 7’s as the squad prepares for the 2022 World Cup in South Africa. In her spare time, you may spot Bess hiking the California coast with her fiance – soon to be husband in the Fall 2022 – wine tasting with friends, and spending quality time with family. She is originally a Midwesterner which becomes clear when you get her talking about her Cubbies. Along with her healing hands, she has wisdom beyond her years and we are happy to have her Jimmy Buffet radio station on Fridays contributing to Catalyst PT and Wellness. Bess is excited to be working at CPTW because the culture is centered around providing exceptional service while maintaining a down to earth local San Diego vibe.
EMILY HERNANDEZ
ABOUT
My name is Emily, and I recently moved to San Diego to complete my undergraduate degree at SDSU with a major in Kinesiology and an emphasis in Pre-Physical Therapy. I enjoy being outdoors, whether that be camping, fishing, snowboarding, or hiking. I believe movement is essential in enhancing quality of life, which is why I’m so excited to be a part of the Catalyst team – I am eager to help improve the health of many.
Alexis Allen
ABOUT
Hi, I’m Alexis! I grew up in Reno & went on to pursue my dreams of competing as a D1 gymnast at UNC Chapel Hill! I graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor’s in Exercise and Sport Science and Psychology. My hobbies include hiking, reading, and crocheting! I love to travel, so if you have any “must see” places be sure to stop by the front desk and tell me all about them. I’m so grateful to work alongside such an inspiring crew at Catalyst & love watching our patients exceed their wellness goals.
Alex Webb
ABOUT
Hello! My name is Alex and I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. I graduated with a B.A. in Sociology and Environmental Studies in 2017 from a small liberal arts college in Michigan. During college, I played lacrosse and I was also a part of my school’s Athletic Training program. While I was growing up, I lived a very active lifestyle. I played every sport I had time for and I loved to be outside. Later in life, this passion for movement translated to a will to help others feel more active and mobile in their lives like I have had the privilege to do in my life. I am excited and humbled to be a part of such a friendly and knowledgeable team. As PT Aide, I hope to bring my passion for Physical Therapy to the table to help others achieve their physical goals. I spend most of my time rock climbing, surfing, backpacking through the wilderness, and simply getting to know the beautiful and vast world around me. I have many hobbies but most of all, I love being active outside and learning all I can along the way. Cheers!
Lanie Hindenes
ABOUT
Hi, my name is Lanie! I was born in Arizona and currently study Kinesiology and Psychology as an undergraduate student at SDSU. I love to be active! I grew up running competitively and I now waterski for my school. In my free time I like to surf, hike, camp, meditate, read and paint! In the future, I hope to help people improve their health both physically and mentally! I am super excited to join the welcoming and supportive Catalyst team!
Kathleen “Kat” Carillo
ABOUT
Hi, my name is Kathleen, or Kat for short! I am a San Diego native, born and raised hehe. I am currently majoring in Kinesiology in hopes of becoming a Physical Therapist or Occupational Therapist in the future. Since I have lived in San Diego my whole life, I love to spend my free time outdoors! Anywhere near the water is always my favorite place to be, especially during sunset. Some of my favorite things to do are roller skating, cooking, trying to learn how to use my film camera, and spending time with loved ones (like my friends, family, & dogs). Pre-covid I used to love going to concerts, music festivals, and finding out about new artists! I am excited to be a part of the Catalyst Team and learn new experiences along the way! 🙂
Alyse Mirth
ABOUT
Hi I’m Alyse! I graduated from PLNU in 2020 with a B.S. in Applied Health Science and am currently applying to graduate school to become a Physician Assistant. My hobbies include reading, hiking and doing pretty much anything that keeps me active. I love animals, so if you have any pets, I want to hear all about them. I’m super excited to be a part of the Catalyst team and I can’t wait to learn all I can from this fantastic team of people.
Cassidy Burns
ABOUT
Hi! My name is Cassidy, and I am currently an undergraduate student at SDSU studying kinesiology. I am hoping to continue into graduate school to become a physical therapist. I have loved sports all my life which included soccer, basketball, volleyball, and track and field (specifically pole vault). In high school, I was extremely interested in sports medicine and athletic training which ultimately sent me down the path to physical therapy. I have a passion for sports, fitness, and wellness for every type of person. In my free time, I love getting outside and hiking with my husband and two dogs, Willow and Luna. I am excited to be part of the Catalyst family to learn and grow while assisting others in reaching all of their wellness goals!
Saul Salazar
ABOUT
Hello my name is Saul Salazar and I am very excited to be a part of the Catalyst family! I’m originally from the great country of Texas where everything is bigger and better. I served in the Marine Corps for four years and separated in 2018. I am currently in a Kinesiology program at CSU San Marcos and plan to one day become a physical therapist. In my free time, I like to read, hike, play with my dogs, and just be outdoors. I look forward to growing with Catalyst Physical Therapy and Wellness and building new relationships.
Sophie Mirth
ABOUT
Hi, I’m Sophie! I love being outdoors and hiking, running, and pretty much anything that’s active! In the future, I want to either get my MD, or a PhD in Kinesiology. I’m excited to be an aide at Catalyst as I earn my master’s in Kinesiology so I can get some hands-on experience with patients!
Thomas Frias
ABOUT
Hi, my name is Thomas! I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. My whole life I have been focused on an active lifestyle playing basketball, baseball, lacrosse, and soccer throughout my childhood. More recently, my focus has really been on basketball and going to the gym. Outside of an active lifestyle, I enjoy reading new books and listening to music. I am studying Kinesiology at San Diego State University with an emphasis in Physical Therapy. My time at Catalyst began in May as a volunteer, and I could not be more excited to continue my time with the most caring and passionate staff as a PT aide.
Katie Shaughnessy
ABOUT
Hi, I’m Katie! I am originally from Indianapolis, but have lived in every corner of the country. I completed my DPT at Northwestern University, then did additional specialty training earning my Orthopedic Certified Specialty and Upper Extremity Fellowship. I’m excited to be coming on to the Catalyst Team as part of the Wave FC and Catalyst collaboration. I love coming to work every day because each and every clinician at Catalyst is motivated and excited to help achieve patient goals and successes, no matter how big or small.
Outside of the clinic, I enjoy being as active as possible, whether it is by doing Crossfit or hiking the great outdoors. I became a physical therapist because I love learning each of my patient’s stories and getting them back to doing the things they love.
Andrew Wilson
ABOUT
Andrew is new to San Diego, from the Pacific Northwest, mainly Seattle. He has been a physical therapist for 7 years, and was trained on the sunny east coast of Australia. Andrew’s main goal for all of his patients is to improve their quality of life, have a smart return to the activities they love, and to enjoy the process of making life-long changes. Life is full of challenges and he wants to help guide his patients safely back to health. In his free time he enjoys golfing, surfing, cooking and traveling with his fiance’, Christine. He is excited to be part of the Catalyst because of the team’s upbeat and positive attitude and the high quality of physical therapy the company demands.
Andrew’s main interest outside of general orthopedic ailments is golf related injuries. He has been a recreational golfer from a young age and loves hitting the links with his friends and family. Helping injured golfers back out on the course is his top priority. He loves the golf community and wants you to be out there making memories too!
Andrew’s continuing education courses include Applied Functional Science and TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) certification. This allows him to break down the mechanics of a person’s golf swing and explain what areas of their bodies need to be worked on to improve form and decrease injury risk. He loves working alongside golf coaches and helping golfers understand how their body’s flexibility, strength, or coordination is affecting the shots they have on the course. In his sessions, he regularly relies on video analysis and hands-on biomechanical assessments to devise a treatment plan specifically for you.
We strongly encourage you to give Andrew a try if you’re looking to get more out of your body on the golf course. It doesn’t matter your skill level. If you’re looking to last longer in the sport, gain distance while hitting, improve your swing mechanics through training or bodywork then Andrew is your guy!
Comments like, “I’ve never swung the club this smoothly or easily before” is what Andrew is shooting for everyday!
Chris Jeanfreau
ABOUT
I was born and raised in Lawrenceville, GA , but I grew up on the soccer field. I was first introduced to the field of physical therapy after going through my own rehab for multiple knee injuries, which as a result, side-lined me from collegiate soccer for 2 years. It was through these many months of rehab that I realized the potential for me to connect with athletes on a different level, and help them along a path back to the field, similar to my own.
I stayed around the Southeast for the majority of my life, playing soccer at Berry College, completing my DPT at Georgia State University, and finally completing a physical therapy residency dedicated to a sports specialization. I made the jump to explore the West Coast when I was presented with the opportunity to join the Catalyst team, and to also be a contributing clinician for SD Loyal.
When I am outside of the clinic, I am most likely on the soccer field with the team during their season. And when I am not with the team, I am usually trying to find new hikes, playing sports, or trying a new beer or coffee from the local staples.
I’m excited to be a part of the Catalyst team because I love the energy they bring to patient care, and their ability to create a fun atmosphere for everyone’s rehabilitation needs.
Jonathan Fong
ABOUT
Jonathan Fong earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Fresno State University in 2020. He grew up in the Bay Area, and earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology at San Jose State with an emphasis in movement science. His interest in PT sparked when he watched his mother recover from a broken leg, and learn to walk again with training from skilled physical therapists. He also was able to see how movement improved his grandparents’ quality of life, and how PT is vital for the geriatric population. Outside of work, he enjoys training martial arts: Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, relaxing on the beach, and living an active lifestyle. Jon has been having an amazing time working with the Catalyst PT and Wellness Team. He has a passion working with martial artists, basketball players, swimmers, and the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) disorder population. Specialized techniques include high velocity, low amplitude thrusts (HVLATS), also known as “adjustments,” followed by neuromuscular retraining of muscles to provide long term benefits for strength and range of motion for his clients.
Ross Brunett, PT, DPT, ATC
ABOUT
Ross’ values include an active lifestyle focused on maximizing the overall health picture of the mind and body for others and himself. He received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from University of Southern California (USC) in 2019 after completing his Bachelor’s degrees in Athletic Training and Applied Health Science at Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) in 2016. His areas of interest and experience include treating and preventing orthopedic injuries within the sports of golf, baseball, rugby, snow sports, beach sports and soccer.
Ross has enjoyed pursuing many professional passions, especially as a Certified Athletic Trainer outside of the PT clinic. Notable experiences include working with the San Diego Legion Rugby Club, San Clemente Rhinos Rugby Academy, Belmont Shore Rugby Club, and various youth sports tournaments across Southern California. Ross worked specifically with baseball, interning with the Cleveland Indians Baseball organization and PLNU baseball team. This additional perspective helps with the treatment of athletic injuries in the PT clinic and achieving return to the field of play at a peak level of competition.
Ross is excited to be working at Catalyst Physical Therapy and Wellness where each staff member displays professionalism and integrity while helping patients achieve their individual goals. He firmly believes that to optimize injury recovery a collaborative relationship and individualized plan of care is the top priority. He practices active listening, thorough physical examination/movement analysis, and meaningful treatment to improve the way someone moves and functions.
On the weekends, you can expect Ross to be outdoors in some capacity. He enjoys snowboarding, golfing, SUPing, working with rugby clubs, backpacking, playing city league softball, or running Spartan Races. He is recently wedded to Tori, who is a NICU nurse, and they look to build an amazing life together in sunny San Diego.
Lindsay Russo
ABOUT
Lindsay was born and raised in San Diego. She completed her undergraduate degree in Salem, OR at Willamette University before moving down to Orange County to finish up her doctorate in physical therapy at Chapman University in 2018. She worked in an outpatient orthopedic clinic in Orange County prior to moving back home to San Diego in September 2021 to join the Catalyst Team!
Lindsay first became interested in physical therapy after her first injury as a high school soccer player. She saw many of her teammates go through injuries of their own throughout her soccer career, and was inspired to become a physical therapist! She has since had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of patients. She has a passion for helping her athletes of all ages get back to their sport, but also loves working on helping all of her patients live well-rounded lifestyles! Since starting with Catalyst, Lindsay has branched out into working with soccer clubs in the North County San Diego area for injury prevention and strength/agility training. She has developed an on-field screening assessment to identify athletes at risk for injury and enjoys helping her soccer players improve their strength, mechanics, and speed while staying healthy long term!
Lindsay is stoked to be a part of the Catalyst Team! The integrated approach to health and wellness allows us to work together with our Catalyst team of health professionals – including massage therapists, physical therapists, & personal trainers – to get our patients back to 110% and keep them healthy and active for the rest of their lives!
Outside of the clinic Lindsay loves being outdoors. She enjoys mountain biking, running, rock climbing, hiking, and camping. She is a cat mom to her little Olive and has too many plants at home to count! She volunteers as the president for the Physical Therapy Alumni Network for Chapman University and loves helping current physical therapy students find their way into our profession!
Katherine DeVos, PT, DPT
ABOUT
Katherine grew up in University City, a San Diego suburb. She was introduced to the world of physical therapy after numerous knee injuries from playing soccer. She moved to Northern California for college at UC Davis, and PT school at UCSF/SFSU, before moving to Evanston, Illinois for a couple years.
She is passionate about building impactful relationships with her patients, while providing well-rounded treatment to help them achieve their movement goals. She treats a wide variety of patients with various diagnoses, with a specific interest in helping patients recover from surgical procedures and lower extremity injuries or pain. She takes pride in developing treatment plans and creative exercises specific to patients’ lifestyle goals (e.g. return-to-sport, daily activity goals, etc). While Katherine takes an exercise-focused approach to treatment, she also regularly uses manual techniques such as hands-on cueing, soft tissue mobilization, and myofascial decompression (i.e. cup therapy).
In addition, Katherine provides pelvic health services, including helping patients with:
Katherine is excited to be a part of Catalyst PT & Wellness because it creates a positive environment that encourages both its staff and patients to live healthy, happy lives.
Alex Golding
ABOUT
Alex is the co-owner and founder of Catalyst Performance. Alex has been involved with elite sports the majority of his life and has always had a strong passion for helping his clients reach their sport performance goals. Alex was raised in London, England before transitioning to the States as he pursued a career as a professional tennis player. Alex notably made the top 200 on the Junior ITF Tour before playing and coaching at the NCAA Division 1 level. Having played at a high level, both in college and professionally, Alex’s competitive career was cut short through a set of injuries, and where his story for teaming up with co-owner Brian Wilson began.
Through countless hours of training as an elite athlete and many rehabilitation sessions, Alex developed an understanding of the unique demands being placed on the body. Through his work with Brian, Alex was drawn to the applied functional sports science approach, which he knew would assist in helping his clients reduce injuries and achieve optimum output in their respective sports.
Alex has used his past professional playing and coaching experience to help mold his expertise and passion for helping elite athletes of all ages and across all disciplines. After teaming up with Brian, Alex has continued to pursue the mission of ensuring everyone has access to elite training, wellness and bodywork services that help in achieving their individual performance goals.
Alex holds coaching certifications in both tennis and soccer, and is currently pursuing his National Academy of Sports Medicine CPT. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business having worked in operations management and insurance technology for large US corporations. When Alex isn’t coaching or reading up on new training techniques he enjoys spending time with his Wife Haley and Son Cooper in San Diego.
FAVORITES
Where were you born: Houston, Texas
Happy Place: Tropical beach vacation
Meal: Indian/Pizza
Destination To Travel: South Asia
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? Ferrari, but I would only drive the speed limit
Hobby : Watching Netflix
Sports Team: Arsenal
Musician: Eminem
Book: Can’t Hurt Me – David Goggins
Best Advice Ever Given: Life is not a rehearsal
Blake Arnold
ABOUT
I recently graduated from the University of Oregon with a BS in Human Physiology. I am very excited to be a part of the Catalyst team. I can’t wait to gain experience in the field of physical therapy while helping others on their road to recovery. After working as a PT Aide with Catalyst Physical Therapy and Wellness during my gap year, I plan on going to graduate school to earn my doctorate in physical therapy. For fun, I like to hike and go to the beach. I also enjoy filmmaking as a hobby.
Amber Warden
ABOUT
Amber moved to San Diego from San Luis Obispo in 2017 and never wants to leave! She is currently finishing her Bachelor’s in Hydrogeology at San Diego State University. When she’s not at work or school, she enjoys hiking, camping, and searching for new bands to add to her never-ending playlist. She’s excited to be part of the Catalyst family and can’t wait to help you reach your wellness goals!
Evan Carvalheira
ABOUT
Hi, I’m Evan! Growing up in Santa Cruz, CA, I became accustomed to an active lifestyle. That coupled with my love for sports eventually attracted me to this career choice. I’m an avid soccer player, surfer, and skater, and I love to hike and be outdoors. Along with sports, I love photography and to capture events and music festivals. I’m currently finishing up my time at San Diego State University studying Kinesiology with an emphasis in Pre-Physical Therapy. I hope to become a Physical Therapist in the future, and start helping people with healing hands! I’m glad to be working with Catalyst because of the environment and the experience this clinic has to offer.
Karen Shields
ABOUT
about here
FAVORITES
Where were you born:San Diego
Happy Place: The next rock show
Meal: Sashimi
Destination To Travel: Bucket list: Iceland for the Northern Lights
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why?A ’63 MG, because I’m a unique classic
Hobby: I cosplay litarary characters
Sports Team: Nope
Musician: Huge ACDC fan
Book: Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
For What Would You Be Famous: Not wanting anything to do with fame!
Best Advice Ever Given: No one can take from me what belongs to me me.
Erica Segall
ABOUT
Hi, I’m Erica! I was born in the suburbs of Chicago, and attended San Diego State University for my undergraduate studies. I just recently graduated, and now call San Diego my home! Throughout my adolescence my passion was dancing ballet, contemporary, and jazz until I had my fair share of injuries before college. Now I enjoy exercising, yoga, snowboarding, water skiing, and of course, relaxing on the beach! My interest in physical therapy grew from my multiple experiences as a patient, and I hope to attend graduate school next year to become a licensed Physical Therapist. I would love to work with professional dancers in the future, and help them live out their dreams. I’m so excited to be a part of the Catalyst Team as an aide, and continue my learning!
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Dance Therapy
Where were you born: Chicago, IL
Happy Place: Anywhere with a view of the sunset
Meal: Anything Mediterranean
Destination To Travel: Israel
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? A jeep wrangler because you can drive it on the beach and in the mountains.
Hobby: Yoga, cooking, and playing the ukulele
Sports Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Musician: The Growlers, Odesza, and Justin Bieber
Book: The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates
For What Would You Be Famous: Cooking!!
Best Advice Ever Given: Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Adam Krause
ABOUT
Adam specializes in the evaluation and treatment of orthopedic injuries. He blends his eclectic manual therapy skills with focused therapeutic exercise for a personalized plan of care. His mantra is to treat all patients as if they were his family, and it’s important to mention that he likes his family!
Adam received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the State University of New York Downstate, and has dual Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Health Sciences from the University of Central Florida. Upon graduating from his Doctorate program, Adam received the Student Participation Award from the New York Physical Therapy Association for leadership qualities, initiative, involvement in community activities and humanitarian concerns. He is pursuing continuing education through the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy, Institute of Physical Art, and Osteopathic Physicians. In his past life, he was a portrait photographer traveling around the world for various advertising and editorial clients, as well as showing his fine art work in NYC galleries.
Adam loves being outside and spending time with his family. When not at work he can be found working with his hands on a craft project, fermenting vegetables, making pizza dough from scratch, and reading nonfiction. Adam likes to stay active via hiking, rock climbing, surfing, playing tennis, and he loves a pull-up contest. He’s excited to join the Catalyst team and serve the San Diego community.
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT:
Adam received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the State University of New York Downstate, and has dual Bachelors degree in Psychology and Health Sciences from the University of Central Florida. Upon graduating from his Doctorate program, Adam received the Student Participation Award from the New York Physical Therapy Association for leadership qualities, initiative, involvement in community activities and humanitarian concerns. He is pursuing continuing education through the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy, Institute of Physical Art, and Osteopathic physicians. In his past life, he was a portrait photographer traveling around the world for various advertising and editorial clients, as well as showing his fine art work in NYC galleries.
Where were you born:Boca Raton, Florida
Happy Place: anywhere with my family
Meal: I never met a carbohydrate I did not like
Destination To Travel: Peru, and South America
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why?a working one!
Hobby: craft projects, fermenting vegetables, making pizza dough from scratch, hiking, rock climbing, surfing, playing tennis,
Sports Team: Rose Namajunas
Musician: Morrissey, A tribe called quest, The dead boys
Book: anything non-fiction
For What Would You Be Famous: rescuing dogs
Best Advice Ever Given: Master the basics
Jamie Rhodes
ABOUT
I was born and raised in Illinois in a very athletic, competitive family. I am the middle of 3 boys, so things were usually pretty crazy growing up. I have one daughter, who is now married and has started a family of her own. I moved to California in 2016 to be with my now fiancé, Amy. After 25 years in the manufacturing industry, in 2017 I decided it was time to make some life changes. I chose to go into Massage Therapy, completing my 1,000-Hour Holistic Health Practitioner Program from Healing Hands School of Holistic Health in 2019. My goal is to work with athletes of all ages and skill levels. I am extremely passionate about helping people in all athletic aspects, including the recovery process and becoming the best they can be!
I’m excited for the opportunity to work at Catalyst Physical Therapy and Wellness. I look forward to working with such a talented and experienced staff. The environment at CPTW is one that will allow me to grow as a practitioner, and become the best I can be.
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Deep Tissue Massage, Sport Cupping, IASTM, Therapeutic Stretching and other modalities. I am always looking to expand my knowledge and become the best practitioner possible.
Where were you born:Canton, IL
Happy Place: Outdoors @ a ballgame
Meal: Carne Asada fries or Chicago Style stuffed pizza
Destination To Travel: I don’t travel much so anywhere exciting would be good
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why?International Scout bc it tough, durable and gets the job done
Hobby: Sports, Time w/ family & friends
Sports Team: Raiders
Musician: I have very broad musical taste, if it sounds good I’ll listen to it
Book: I’m not much of a reader but usually a biography or history related
For What Would You Be Famous: I’ve never cared about being famous
Best Advice Ever Given: “No such thing as spare time, no such thing as free time, no such thing as down time. All you got is life time. Go.” – Henry Rollins
Thomas Stearns
ABOUT
Hello! My name is Thomas and I am a recent graduate from San Diego State University with a degree in Kinesiology! I grew up here in San Diego and love everything about the lifestyle, so I hope to continue my life here. Some of my hobbies include surfing, working out, watching sports, hanging out with friends, and going to see live music. My plans for the future are to apply to graduate school this upcoming fall and become a licensed physical therapist afterwards. I’m excited and grateful to be a part of the Catalyst team and not only give back to others, but gain more insight, knowledge, and experience in the field of physical therapy! I’m confident that this wonderful group of people will serve as a positive influence for me and my future.
Emily Richard
ABOUT
Dr. Emily Richard, PT, DPT, is a 2006 graduate of Miami University of Ohio where she received her BS degree in Health and Sports Studies. In 2009, she graduated from Ohio University with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Emily was born and raised in Ohio and moved to San Diego in 2011 to experience better weather and new adventures. Prior to Catalyst Physical Therapy and Wellness, she worked two years in an outpatient hospital setting in Dayton, Ohio, and 8 years with Water and Sports Physical Therapy in San Diego. She is an American Physical Therapy Association certified Clinical Instructor, and has taken many students under her wing as part of their didactic clinical training. She enjoys “paying it forward” because she had wonderful clinical instructors that inspired her to want to help educate other PT students.
The daughter of two retired teachers, Emily has learned the value of education. She enjoys educating her patients about the cause of their injury and the importance of all aspects of their physical therapy journey. Emily knows what it’s like to be a patient as well. She suffered a season-ending, severe knee injury during a senior year, high school basketball game. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, because one day, during her rehab, she discovered this was the profession that was meant for her. Emily has empathy for all of her patients because she, too, has gone from an injured athlete to a totally rehabilitated one. She values the use of manual therapy techniques as the primary treatment for most patients because it specifically targets problematic muscles and joints. She has been called the “posture queen” by many of her past patients because she always emphasizes the importance of anatomical alignment, ergonomics and injury prevention with the maintenance of good posture. Emily has worked with patients of all ages: from the developing eight-year-old, to the mature ninety-two-year-old with back pain and balance problems. Her proudest achievement thus far is teaching a patient to walk again after suffering a spinal cord injury.
Emily and her husband love San Diego, where they can play volleyball all year round. She participates in indoor and outdoor volleyball and has won multiple local 4-on-4 tournaments. She enjoys bike riding, taking her two dogs, Bear and Thor, to the dog park, and trying new restaurants and craft beers. Emily is also attempting a new hobby: trying not to kill her succulents. Advice from green thumb experts is always welcome:)
Erica Cagle
ABOUT
Hi! I’m a proud native San Diegan and self-described nomad. I join Catalyst as a communications grad with a varied background rooted in client experience and account management. I hope to expand my talents to guiding others on their paths to wellness once I complete my education in Integrative nutrition and holistic health (my true passions) in the next couple years. In my free time find me reading, traveling, volunteering, dancing or beach bumming with friends. I’m excited to bring my positivity, skills, passion and energy to the Catalyst team as I start an exciting career in Wellness!
Chris Hill
ABOUT
Chris’s journey to becoming a physical therapist took a curving path rather than a straight one. He was born in Davis, California and went to college at UC Santa Cruz. His love for the natural world led him to pursue a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. However, he soon discovered the human body and mind also fascinated him, resulting in an additional major in Neuroscience. While these areas of study satisfied his intellectual curiosity, he found himself wanting a career where he could more directly interact with and help people in their daily lives. After shadowing various professionals, he realized a career in physical therapy best balanced these desires while continuing to build on an education rooted in science. Five years later (after a “brief”, two-year stint teaching English in Spain), he earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from San Diego State University.
In his free time, Chris enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and all things active (including soccer, running, basketball, surfing, volleyball, tennis, rock climbing, hiking and more) further fueling his drive to help everyone live healthier, more active lives.
He believes in the collaborative, interdisciplinary approach towards rehab, fitness, and wellness that Catalyst offers, and is excited to add his unique background and diverse experiences to the Catalyst team!
Audra O'Neill
ABOUT
Audra was born in a tiny town in Illinois. She grew up playing all different sports, but in high school, found a passion for running. During that time, she attended physical therapy and developed a strong interest in that as a career path. She applied for the Doctoral Physical Therapy program at St. Ambrose University as a junior in high school and was accepted. She obtained her undergraduate degree at St. Ambrose University in 2011, and then continued on to get her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy in 2013. Her graduate school education was fostered by a small class size, which allowed faculty members to provide personalized, one-on-one attention to all students. She moved to California to finish her last clinical rotation and has since fallen in love with all of the outdoor activities that sunny San Diego has to offer.
Outside of work, Audra enjoys going on adventures with her sweet doggie, hiking, camping, skiing, and of course, enjoying frequent days at the beach.
Audra’s philosophy is an eclectic approach to patient care, including interventions of joint mobilization, and various methods of soft tissue mobilizations, corrective exercises, therapeutic taping, and postural correction through biomechanical analysis. She utilizes her ASTYM techniques as well as myofascial decompression, “cupping,” as an adjunct to her other manual skills. She has taken introductory yoga instructor classes, and incorporates that knowledge into her treatments as well.
Audra is certified in Applied Functional Science and uses a more global approach to treating each patient as a whole body vs just an injured body part. She is constantly trying to improve her techniques to become a better provider and help others to achieve their health and wellness goals!
Vanessa Valle
ABOUT
My passion to help others heal has always been a driving force in my life. 15 years ago, I moved to Santa Clarita, CA and came across a huge banner advertising Massage Therapy in a local college. After a week of seeing it I decided to stop by and ask about the Massage Therapy program, and by the end of the day, I was signing papers to join and become a Massage Therapist – best decision EVER! Years later, I furthered my education at the American Massage Conference in San Diego, completing training for Orthopedic Massage and Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques.
I’ve worked in several different areas over the years, from Spas to Chiropractor offices, to Physical Therapy. My passion for massage therapy has continued to carry me on a path of continued education. My goal is to help people heal, and get their lives back.
I am excited to work for Catalyst Physical Therapy because it’s an opportunity to learn and grow as a Massage Therapist, all while being part of a professional and integrative healthcare team.
Luisa Zavala
ABOUT
Born in the mystic Perú, South América, I am a health-oriented person. Respectful, tolerant and patient. I’m a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, from the School of Healing Arts. I’m a Certified Yoga Instructor, registered with the Yoga Alliance. I’m interested in Tai-Chi and Kung -Fu, and anything that would help me to improve my knowledge of the wholeness of the human body. I’m also a Biology Teacher, which makes me humble at teaching and learning.
Traveling and visiting different countries has made me sensitive to different cultures, races and religions. I speak English, Spanish and basic Italian. I have a little bit of them in my heart. I’ve been to: Europe, Nepal, India, Tibet/Lhassa, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and I visit Peru at least once a year.
My passion is to dance and to share what I have learned in life. Of course, my family is part of my portrait. I work as a Massage Therapist, and as a Yoga Instructor, and Spanish Teacher.
I believe that, “Health is the best gift and we have the compromise to preserve it”.
As a Holistic Health Practitioner, I have more than 1,000 hours learning and practicing different modalities and techniques. Some of my favorites are: Shiat-zu, Swedish, Deep Tissue, Pre-Natal, Hot Stones, Passive Stretching, Acupressure, Reflexology, Ayurvedic Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Mayan Belly Massage, Reiki, and others. Each time we meet you will discover more about your own treasure…your body!
I’m excited to work at Catalyst because I share their holistic vision toward treatment.
They work as an enthusiastic team for their patients’ well-being. It is contagious 🙂
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Medical Massage – Myofascia Release – Laser – Healing – Crystals – Energy work
Where were you born: Lima – PERU, South America
Happy Place: In front of the OCEAN
Meal: Spicy Eggplant (Thai Food)
Destination To Travel: Spain to dance Flamenco/ Canada to see the Northern Lights – Galapagos Island (Ecuador) India again and again / Argentina to dance Tango! Australia, New Zeland, Peru once a year
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? A future car, no need of free ways
Hobby: My passion to dance, learn to play drums (dumbek – cajon – castanets)
Sports Team: I have no idea, totally literally
Musician: Richard Clayderman, Yiruma, Jesse Cook
Book: The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint Exupery) little prince, little book HUGE message
For What Would You Be Famous: Dancing Flamenco, and Yoga
Best Advice Ever Given: Make your Heart as light as a feather
Kiran Aulakh
ABOUT
A Doctor of East Asian Medicine, and a soon-to-be Licensed Acupuncturist, Kiran views her work with massage and bodywork as a lifelong journey that was born from her yoga practice in 2008. She completed her 200-hr Yoga Teacher Training – with an emphasis in Yoga Therapy – in India and soon after received her massage therapy license from Santa Barbara Bodyworks in 2014. In 2019 she completed her Doctorate of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine and is currently studying for her acupuncture licensing boards! She utilizes Chinese modalities such as traditional fire cupping, gua sha, and moxibustion, and complements her therapeutic approach with concurrent trainings in Neural Manipulation, as well as Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization.
A major influencer of Kiran’s work was a bout of painful TMJ she experienced as a teen athlete that helped her cultivate better body awareness. She seeks to instill that same sense of body awareness in her clients to aid in their healing. Kiran’s work is also influenced by her passion for rock climbing and yoga.
Kiran is thrilled to work with Catalyst’s inspiring and talented professionals, and the amazing, motivated patients within its community!
FAVORITES
Where were you born: Florida but my family moved to Costa Rica when I was 10 minths old
Happy Place: All the national parks I’ve been to and all the ones still on my bucket list
Meal: Tacos from Taco Stand
Destination To Travel: Japan, I love their aesthetic, food, acupuncture, and nature
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? My dad’s 2001 diesel 4-Runner because I don’t think it’s ever going to break down
Hobby: Climbing, surfing, yoga
Book: House of Spirits, by Isabel Allende
For What Would You Be Famous: I guess we’ll find out!
Best Advice Ever Given: One foot in front of the other!
Trina Psenicnik
ABOUT
Trina bio text here.
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Ortho acupuncture
Where were you born: Syracuse NY
Happy Place:out on the trails
Meal:sushi
Destination To Travel:Vancouver BC
corvette…speedy and sleek
Hobby:Mountain biking
Sports Team:NY Yankees, LV Golden Knights, Miami Dolphins
Musician:Imagine Dragons
Book:Motorcycle Diaries
For What Would You Be Famous:My crazy adventures
Best Advice Ever Given:Live every day as if it’s your last!
Chris Karem
ABOUT
Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, I received my Bachelor’s in Business from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond in 2005. I moved to San Diego in 2007 after meeting my awesome wife, Angela who was visiting her sister for Mardi Gras. In 2009 I transitioned out of sales and marketing and into my passion of fitness and health as a certified personal trainer. Since then I have been a fitness manager and master personal trainer at 5 clubs for 24 Hour Fitness. Through training, I developed an interest in the corrective side. In 2017, I started going back to school and am currently working towards becoming a physical therapist.
Being from the South, I love when it rains in San Diego. I enjoy sleeping in when I can, but also a 3-hour workout session.
Catalyst has been an amazing environment! I started as a volunteer in the summer of 2019 and quickly realized the high talent level from the therapists. I enjoy Catalyst’s smooth approach of treating patients and taking care of their people.
Nika Darrin
ABOUT
Nika Darrin is from Napa, California, where she was raised in a health-conscious community that instilled values of holistic/natural living, open-mindedness and treating all with kindness and respect. As a child, her mom would take her along to yoga classes and meditations taught by Tibetan monks. This taught her about the mind-body connection she values so much to this day. Her interest in creating a career based off of health and healing was sparked in high school, where she was a tri-sport athlete (lacrosse, water polo and basketball) and took an intro to athletic training class. She gained experience by applying what she learned in the classroom through assisting the ATC on the field/court and in the athletic training room.
Nika graduated from Chapman University in 2018 with a B.S. in Kinesiology and a B.A. in Peace Studies. She wrote her kinesiology thesis on how yoga helps reduce stress. For her peace studies thesis she studied the impact of mindfulness and transcendental meditation. She was inspired by the Dalai Lama’s quote “In order to achieve world peace, we must first achieve inner peace.” In her case study, she found that violence rates in a middle school significantly decreased after instilling a weekly mindfulness, transcendental meditation practice. Imagine the impact on this world if everyone practiced mindfulness and incorporated meditation into their daily lives! In addition to her academic endeavors in college, she played for the division III women’s lacrosse team, was the service chair for Alpha Kappa Psi (a professional, co-ed business fraternity), was an activist for the homeless, studied abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, studied at the UN’s University for Peace in Costa Rica and obtained her 200-hour yoga teacher certification.
When Nika is not working at Catalyst, she is working as a kayak and snorkel tour guide in La Jolla, selling succulent art at farmers markets and is a yoga teacher. She is an assistant teacher in a 200-hour yoga teacher training and teaches donation-based classes at the OB Garden Café. If your mind, body and soul need some extra loving, come to her yoga class and she will help guide you through a nourishing and empowering experience! When she is not working, she loves to go windsurfing, surfing, scuba diving, listening to live music and exploring! She loves to travel when she gets the opportunity to. She spent her past summer backpacking in Southeast Asia, where she immersed herself in yoga studies, learning from its traditional origin of India. Nika strives to incorporate the balance between Eastern and Western healing, which is why she was motivated to be a physical therapy aide for Catalyst.
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Yoga teaching, coaching
Where were you born: Napa, CA
Happy Place:Lake George, NY
Meal:Thai Curries
Destination To Travel:Southeast Asia / South Africa
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why?: GTI, sporty yet comfy
For What Would You Be Famous:Water drinking abilities
Best Advice Ever Given:Heal now so you don’t have to heal later
Vince Hoang
ABOUT
Hey, I’m Vince! I was born and raised here in San Diego, and did my undergraduate at San Diego State University. Growing up my parents really got me involved in many different activities. I grew up swimming competitively, as well as wrestled and played water polo during high school. Nowadays I really enjoy spending my free time rock climbing, surfing and traveling. I hope to one day attend graduate school and become a licensed Physical Therapist. But, in the meantime, I’m really grateful for everything Catalyst Physical Therapy and Wellness has offered me, and am excited to continue working here with such an amazing group of people.
Michelle Phinney
ABOUT
Hi! My name is Michelle Phinney and I am here for you! After living in Guam for several years with my 3 young boys, we made the move to San Diego in 2016 with new aspirations. I am a certified yoga instructor, and am attending school for pre-physical therapy. I believe in a holistic approach to health and healing that includes the food we choose to nourish our bodies with as well as the routines we invest our time in to encourage strength and mobility. I see a need for us as a society to not only take a step back to care for ourselves, but also to care for those around us. Whether it is a family member, friend or someone I just met I know that everyone has a story and is worthy of being heard and loved.
In my free time you will find me spending time in nature, hanging out with my boys, traveling or teaching people about meditation, breath work, and intentional movement. I am so excited to be a part of the Catalyst family and to be here to assist on your path to wholeness and healing!
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Yoga Teaching, studied Health Science at San Juan College
Where were you born: San Clemente, CA
Happy Place: The beach
Meal: Pancakes
Destination To Travel: Catalina
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? Jeep 4×4 so that I can go explore where I want to be
Hobby: I don’t have time for hobbies I have 3 kids!
Musician: Freddie Mercury
Book: The Sun Does Shine
For What Would You Be Famous: My mom hugs
Best Advice Ever Given: The present moment is all you have so be present.
Ellie Nevarez
ABOUT
I was born and raised in Poway, CA , but I grew up on the soccer field. I was first introduced to the field of physical therapy after going through my own rehab for multiple knee injuries. It was through this process that I first met and worked with Brian and Kristen!
I decided to step out of the California bubble when I got accepted into the PT program at Creighton University. While completing my DPT, I had the opportunity to complete several amazing rotations including one at Penn State Sports Med, Madonna Neurological Rehabilitation, the Center for the Intrepid and the ILAC clinic in the Dominican Republic. After I completed my DPT, I decided I wasn’t done learning and decided to stay on at Creighton for a year long orthopedic residency. My residency allowed me not only to treat the underserved populations of Omaha, but also gave me the opportunity to teach at Creighton’s PT program and perform research.
The more opportunities I have to interact with patients, the more they teach me and mold my practice of physical therapy. After being able to treat at the campos and clinics in the Dominican Republic, it is easy to see that there is more to health and wellness than western medicine can provide. Being able to treat the whole person, and meeting them where they are in their own healing process is what I work towards with each of my patients. My career goal is to be able to help my patients live a healthier, well-rounded life style!
Catalyst creates an environment for healing that attracts a variety of healthcare practitioners, all working together to provide the best care for each of our patients. I’m excited to be a part of the team, and a part of my patients’ healing process!
When I’m outside of the clinic I prefer to be outdoors hiking, going to the beach, playing soccer or running. The only thing better than a good workout, is a good meal!
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Running, Prosthetics
Where were you born: San Diego
Happy Place: Family dinners
Meal: Spaghetti
Destination To Travel: Australia
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? Corolla, reliable but not super fancy
Hobby: Running, puzzles
Sports Team: Huskers
Musician: Eric Church
Book: Janet Evanovich Series
For What Would You Be Famous: Being awkwardly early
Best Advice Ever Given: Worrying is like a rocking chair, gives you something to do, but gets you no where
Sarah Opper
ABOUT
Sarah is a native San Diegan and recent graduate at SDSU with a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology, emphasis in pre-physical therapy. Sarah’s interests include traveling, sports and most importantly, spending time with family. She’s excited to a part of the Catalyst family, and to contribute to your healing and wellness!
FAVORITES
Where were you born: San Diego
Happy Place: OB Dog beach
Meal: Fogo de Chao!
Destination To Travel: Italy
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? 87 Toyota MR2, my first car and always fun to drive
Hobby: Cooking new recipes
Sports Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Book: The Giving Tree
For What Would You Be Famous: Being a drama queen
Best Advice Ever Given: Life is more fulfilling when you focus on what you give rather than what you get.
Natalie Tran
ABOUT
Natalie grew up in San Diego where she gained an interest in the medical field watching her mother go through nursing school. After sustaining a knee injury dancing, her focus shifted to creating a healthy lifestyle and preventing further damage to her body.
She’s currently majoring in both biology and sociology to better understand how a person’s genetic code and how one’s environment can play a fundamental role in someone’s lifestyle. She knows Catalyst is the perfect place to harness those skills and learn new techniques in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
Natalie is thrilled to be part of the Catalyst team as they continue to evolve and make more friends in San Diego. Outside of work and school, you can catch Natalie trying new superfoods or out on a hike!
Christina Kent
ABOUT
Mauricio Perez
ABOUT
Mauricio here! I was born and raised in San Diego and did my undergraduate work at UCSB. I’m currently attending graduate school to become a licensed acupuncturist/primary care provider. I’m excited to be at Catalyst for the opportunity to learn & grow while helping patients progress through their recovery, improve their quality of life, and achieve their goals. Being a part of the Catalyst team is helping pave the way for me to become a top-notch acupuncturist!
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Screening/diagnosis/treatment of athletic injuries, post surgical rehabilitation, joint stabilization, postural assessment and corrective exercises, functional movement patterns
Where were you born: San Diego
Happy Place: Beach and mountains
Meal: Beijing Duck
Destination To Travel: Love Mammoth mountain; want to visit South America and Japan
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? Not sure I know what this means
Hobby: Bodysurfing & learning to play the bass guitar
Sports Team: Barcelona FC
Musician: Tribal Seeds
Book: The Association
For What Would You Be Famous: For Acupuncture of course!
Best Advice Ever Given: You are what you repeatedly do. Therefore excellence should be a habit, not an act. -Aristotle
Brittney Poppe
ABOUT
200 Hour Yoga Alliance Certified Yoga Therapist
Moving from the Midwest to California, Brittney discovered many new experiences which would transform her worldview, but one has stood out amount the rest: Yoga. She found Yoga in 2011 and became certified here in San Diego in 2013. Yoga is part of her daily life. Her mission is holistic: building a student’s connection between their mind, body and breath.
“I am beyond excited and honored to be a part of the Catalyst family, and to be able to bring my passion to life here with all of you.”
Brittney’s sessions vary based on each individual person. Students can look forward to enriching their breath, consciousness, alignment, and flexibility as well as improving their physical and mental strength. She’s passionate about moving authentically and promoting collective awareness. Her vision is to help guide clients to a compatible lifestyle by optimizing health and wellness.
Together, as a team, we strive to set goals for your body to expand movement safely by integrating awareness into mobility exercises and dynamic breathing. The breath is the start of it all. Discovering mobility and breath potential keeps our body running optimally while staying injury free. We’ll explore various styles of movement including Yin, Restorative, Hatha, Vinyasa and backgrounds of active flexibility. Active flexibility is the perfect marriage between strength and flexibility and requires you to express control throughout a full range of motion.
“I dedicate my teachings to help improve your quality of a well-balanced life through awakening the body’s mobility and stream of consciousness.”
Brittney found a home in California when she found yoga, and she hopes you find your home here at Catalyst, creating a space where your body’s inner energy can shine outwards.
When Brittney is not seeing students, you can either find her upside down at San Diego Circus Center where she focuses on Hand Balancing, Trapeze, and Dance Movement, or wherever there’s a yoga mat. You may even find her outside doing Acro Yoga and acrobatics. In April of 2019, she’ll be traveling Costa Rica for a month to complete her 500 hour yoga teacher training. She can’t wait to learn more, and to share it with the Catalyst family.
For any questions about Yoga, or if you are curious about sessions prior to booking please email:
yogapoppe@icloud.com
“I am always happy to answer questions!”
Yoga without the breath is like a river without its water
Certified in:
Yin
Restorative
Hatha
Vinyasa
Intro to Thai massage
Meditation
Dhurva Yoga
Reiki Certified I & II
Breathwork
Jessica Luna
ABOUT
I’m from Sacramento, born and raised, Go Kings! I’ve been massaging now for five years, going on my sixth. I pursued a career in Massage Therapy because I was in a car accident that resulted in two years of care seeing a Chiropractor, Physical Therapist, Massage Therapist and a Neurologist; there was a lot going on with me. After getting care and seeing my progress, and how these amazing professionals helped and guided me back to recovery, I knew I wanted to help others the same way. Almost immediately after finishing my treatment, I enrolled at Arizona School of Massage Therapy where I completed my massage training. After finishing massage school, I moved back to Sacramento and began working for the chiropractor that treated me after my car accident. It was then, and continues to be an amazing and very rewarding career, being able to provide quality care such as what I received after my accident.
Paul Stephens
ABOUT
Paul grew up in Northern California where he gained an interest in Kinesiology in High school after sustaining multiple injuries from racing dirt bikes and playing various sports. He’s a recent graduate from Point Loma Nazarene University with a Bachelors in Athletic Training, and is looking to pursue a career in Physical therapy.
Paul holds a certification in Tecnica Gavilán, which is an instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization (IASTM) technique that helps break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions at superficial and deep layers. This technique is beneficial for an athlete at any level. Paul currently performs this technique here at Catalyst where he’s seen patients gain range of motion and strength, and reduce pain through scar tissue and fascia release. Outside of work, Paul enjoys racing his dirt bike and spending time at the beach surfing.
Rebecca VanDenMeerendonk
ABOUT
Rebecca is a physical therapist with a specialty in pelvic health. She originally hails from Wisconsin, but received her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota in 2009. She then made her way out to California to attend Physical Therapy School at the University of St. Augustine, where she graduated with her doctorate in 2015.
Since becoming a PT, Rebecca has made pelvic dysfunction her main area of study, taking courses on Pelvic Rehab through Herman & Wallace, and working towards higher certification in the field. Rebecca’s passion for this specialty can also be observed in her community outreach, holding workshops and seminars for new moms, and other populations affected by pelvic issues.
Rebecca feels a strong alignment with Catalyst because of their holistic approach to patient care, and integration with Eastern Medicine practices. She looks forward to bringing her knowledge and passion for pelvic health to the Catalyst community!
When she’s not at work, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her husband and son, hiking, swimming, and going to the zoo. She also enjoys yoga, and a good half-marathon now and then.
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Pelvic floor
Where were you born: South Korea
Happy Place: The beach
Meal: Burrito
Destination To Travel: Patagonia
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? Tesla – I can be in autopilot and still look awesome
Hobby: Running
Sports Team: Green Bay Packers
Book: The Alchemist
For What Would You Be Famous: Magic
Best Advice Ever Given: Remember to give yourself love and care
Annie Archbold
ABOUT
Hi! I’m Annie, I moved to San Diego from Seattle in 2002 to manage a Wholesale Beauty Supply store and try my hand at living in a new state. After soaking up all of the sunshine possible in that first year, I decided this was where I belonged, and never looked back!
Health and fitness are my passions, and when I’m not exercising and meal prepping, you can find me at the ice rink watching hockey or exploring all the amazing food San Diego has to offer. I love to spend time with my family, mainly watching movies, playing games, traveling and eating!
After getting married, having 2 kids and spending most of my years as a stay-at-home-mom, I joined the Catalyst team to get back into what I love; working hard and helping people. I have a background in management and love to work with a great team! I’m currently the Office Manager at our Mission Valley location and oversee our other locations in Point Loma and 4S Ranch. I love to surround myself with like minded people and Catalyst has become my home away from home! My goal at Catalyst is to make sure our patients and staff are taken care of and are happy.
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Love learning about health and nutrition.
Where were you born: Seattle, Washington
Happy Place: Anywhere there is sunshine
Meal: Sushi, anytime, anywhere.
Destination To Travel: New Orleans – love the live music and overall feel of it
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? A big truck! I like to sit up high, probably because I’m short.
Hobby: Rafts/sewing
Sports Team: NY Islanders (but soon to be a Seattle NHL team Yay!)
Musician: Green Day
Book: Where the Red Fern Grows
For What Would You Be Famous: Tennis
Best Advice Ever Given: Don’t overthink it!
Charlotte Kleski
ABOUT
I am a native San Diegan and I am currently finishing my bachelor’s degree in physical therapy with the hope of furthering my education to be a licensed physical therapist. Because I grew up enjoying an active lifestyle – with activities ranging from tennis and volleyball to horseback riding and rock climbing – my interest in physical therapy came naturally. Working at Catalyst has developed my knowledge and skills in the physical therapy field immensely, and I am excited to continue learning in such a positive work environment!
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT:
Where were you born: San Diego
Happy Place: My bedroom with my cat
Meal: Tacos
Destination To Travel: Italy
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? Prius: quiet, practical, and eco-friendly
Hobby: Traveling, camping/hiking, and going to new restaurants
Sports Team: My own fantasy team
Musician:
Book: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
For What Would You Be Famous: Winning the lottery
Best Advice Ever Given: Be yourself
Frank Spano
ABOUT
Frank Spano joins Catalyst serving as a Sports Recovery Specialist, bringing his skill sets to the table and promoting the NormaTec Rapid Recovery system.
As a board certified athletic trainer, Frank has extensive schooling, experience and expertise in managing various sport-related acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries across many work settings, competitive sports, and patient populations. He also holds certifications in Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Y-Balance testing (YBT) and Functional Movement Taping (FMT) to complement his clinical practice. What he enjoys most about his profession has always been helping his patients manage, overcome, and return to activity from debilitating injuries through thoughtful clinical assessment and diverse functional rehab approaches. With that said, he is very grateful and excited to join the team and contribute Catalyst’s excellent vision of patient care and wellness.
Frank completed his Bachelor of Science in athletic training at Northeastern University in 2009, during which time he experienced extensive clinical rotations and work opportunities in outpatient physical therapy, and high school, division 1 and division 3 college sports medicine settings. After graduating, he worked at Fairfield University in the Sports Medicine Department for five years as an athletic trainer while completing his MBA. He was assigned primary medical coverage and oversight of the women’s volleyball, men and women’s crew, and baseball teams, and also provided collaborative care and medical coverage of all other division 1 sports teams as needed. After finishing his Master’s Degree, he was hired by Physical Synergy, a sports chiropractic clinic where he served as the practice’s Rehab Floor Manager for 4 years, overseeing and implementing patient physical therapy protocols.
Frank is a native of Fairfield, Connecticut, and just recently moved to San Diego with his fiancée, Melanie, back in September. So far they love San Diego, which has nicely suited their active lifestyles. They’ve really enjoyed the weather, beautiful beaches, and local farmers markets. Among a variety of interests, Frank enjoys sports, movies, the beach, playing guitar, exercise, and martial arts. He’s trained Karate, boxing, and Muay Thai, and actively trains and competes in Brazilian Jiujitsu.
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT:Board certified athletic trainer since 2009Certifications in Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Y-Balance testing (YBT), and Functional Movement Taping (FMT)Masters in Business AdministrationUSA Boxing: member and level 1 coach certifiedBrazilian Jiujitsu practitioner and competitor
Where were you born: Bronx, New York
Happy Place : Beach, spending time with friends and family
Meal: Chicken cutlet & ditalini with sweet peas sauteed in olive oil, onion and garlic
Destination To Travel: Italy
If You Were A Car… Which One & Why? Pick up truck: helpful and strong, and can move heavy loads
Hobby: Brazillian Jiujitsu
Sports Team: New York Jets
Musician: Stevie Ray Vaughan & Derek Trucks
Book: Red Storm Rising, by Tom Clancy
For What Would You Be Famous: How much ice cream I could eat
Best Advice Ever Given: Life in the grand scheme is short. Therefore, it is important for us to do the best we can with the knowledge we have. Most importantly, we must learn from the past, prepare for the future, but above all, live for and enjoy the present. -Dr. Frank Spano (my dad)
Maggie Flood
ABOUT
Maggie Flood is a licensed and certified acupuncturist, and Chinese herbalist with a Master’s of Science in Acupuncture and Traditional Oriental Medicine. She studied at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in both New York and San Diego, an institute specializing in medical integration of eastern and western medicine. Maggie’s path to becoming an acupuncturist began over 15 years ago when she started working for an acupuncturist in upstate New York. Since then, her practice and interests have evolved to encompass all aspects of mental and emotional health, and its connection to the physical body. Maggie has clinical experience working in sports medicine under Matt Calison, world-renowned acupuncturist and inventor of the Motor Point system of acupuncture, specifically designed to treat orthopedic muscular skeletal pain. Her other specialized clinical experience includes oncology, gynecological, digestive and endocrine disorders, fertility, addiction and mental health. A fan of physical therapy and body mechanics, Maggie has a working knowledge and understanding of alignment and postural dysfunction. She strives to understand the inner-connectedness of the physical and emotional body through an assessment of each patient as a whole, and as an individual. Maggie believes that healing is possible for all people, and works to assist the body’s remarkable ability to heal itself through holistic wellness. In her spare time, Maggie enjoys yoga, biking, rock climbing and getting out of town and into nature as often as possible.
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Women’s Health
Where were you born: New York
Happy Place : My bed on a sleepy Sunday afternoon.
Meal: A good steak & fries
Destination To Travel: Patagonia, the edge of the world- One Day!
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? 1970 VW Rabbit: Questionable maintenance, reliable but weird.
Hobby: Rock Climbing & Yoga
Sports Team: *Looks at you blankly*
Musician:
Book: Anything fiction and full of literary prose.
For What Would You Be Famous: Speaking my mind.
Best Advice Ever Given: Know your worth.
Missy Goff Korsmeyer
ABOUT
Missy is a native San Diegan and received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from San Diego State University. As part of her graduate work, Missy had the privilege of working at Catalyst for an 8-week clinical rotation, where she learned from and worked alongside Kristen and Brian. She also had the opportunity to do a mixed orthopedic and pediatric rotation at another clinic, which inspired her to become both an orthopedic and pediatric therapist so she can work with patients of all ages. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Missy loves being able to combine her love of treating musculoskeletal injuries in adults as well as helping kids of all ages achieve milestones and interact more easily with the world around them.
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT:
CCI – Certified Clinical Instructor
CAFS – Certified in Applied Function Science
Pediatrics
Where were you born: Sunny San Diego (I’m a rare breed)
Happy Place: Disneyland
Meal: Chicken tenders!
Destination To Travel: Spain, Greece, and Ireland are my top 3 places I want to visit
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? A working one. I don’t know much about cars 😉
Hobby: Line dancing, country music concerts, running.
Sports Team: Since the Chargers abandoned me, I married into being a Seahawks fan.
Musician: Anything country, but I do love me some Earth, Wind & Fire.
Book: I’m not sure, but I’m always looking for recommendations.
For What Would You Be Famous: World’s worst cook 🙂
Best Advice Ever Given: My high school teacher always said, ‘Nothing changes if nothing changes.’ You are in charge of your life and you can improve anything you are willing to work for!”
Eden Alcomendas
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT:
Where were you born: San Diego, CA
Happy Place: Staying home to binge watch tv/movies
Meal: Pacific Islander food
Destination To Travel: San Francisco Bay Area
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? The DeLorean from ‘Back to the Future’…it’d be cool to time travel..
Hobby: Practicing Philippine folk dance and music
Sports Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Musician:
Book: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
For What Would You Be Famous: Social activism
Best Advice Ever Given: Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.
Freddy Ruiz
ABOUT
Freddy moved to San Diego in 2008 to attend San Diego State University where he majored in Kinesiology. During that time, he fell in love with the art of human movement and was driven to find a profession that would allow him to utilize his passion to make a positive change in the lives of others. He elected to return back to school to become a physical therapist.
Freddy earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree from San Diego State University. While at SDSU, Freddy was involved with Students H.E.A.L (Health & Education Abroad through Leadership), a non-profit that organized a medical mission trip to Sangkhlaburi, Thailand. Freddy was able to collaborate with a full medical staff and provide physical therapy rehabilitation to locals that were suffering from a variety of musculoskeletal ailments. This opportunity in SE Asia influenced his physical therapy style to be more holistic, emphasizing a balance through mind, body, and spirit.
During his final year of physical therapy school, he was mentored by Brian Wilson, founder of Catalyst. It was this opportunity where he developed a friendship with Brian and learned to blend Eastern and Western medicine techniques to facilitate healing. He’s excited to be part of the Catalyst team, where his passions and style of practice mesh with his approach to life and overall well-being.
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Throwing athletes
Where were you born: California
Happy Place: La playa
Meal: Buddha Bowl
Destination To Travel: Amalfi Coast
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? Lambo
Hobby: Photography
Sports Team: Lakers
Musician: Tom Misch
Book: The Alchemist
For What Would You Be Famous: Dancing skills.
Best Advice Ever Given: It works 60% of the time, everytime.
Lexus McAllister
ABOUT
Hey, I’m Lexus! I was born and raised in New Jersey, and came to California to pursue my kinesiology degree at San Diego State University. I’m currently in my final year at SDSU, and in the process of applying to DPT school to become a licensed physical therapist.
I grew up in an extremely active family with interests including gymnastics, ice hockey and skiing. Being around these sports sparked an early interest in the field of physical therapy. In the future, I hope to incorporate my love and knowledge of sports into my career.
Catalyst has been such an amazing place to volunteer and work at. The atmosphere is like no other clinic I’ve ever been in…the environment is so welcoming to everyone! It’s the perfect place to be as a student because of all the learning opportunities and ability to see patients grow both mentally and physically throughout their recovery.
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Pediatrics, athletics, and olympic level training
Where were you born: New Jersey
Happy Place: Traveling anywhere with good friends
Meal: Italian all the way! I love pasta and wine
Destination To Travel: Central America or New Zealand
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? A Lexus, obviously! But seriously I’d be a jeep because I like to go on spontaneous adventures
Hobby: Traveling
Sports Team: New York Rangers
Musician: John Mayer
Book: Hound of the Sea
For What Would You Be Famous: My numerous dad jokes or being the person who always goes to bed the earliest
Best Advice Ever Given: Life is to short to not take advantage of everything it has to offer. People who love to eat are always the best people.
Natalie Fuller
ABOUT
Hi! I’m Natalie, but everyone calls me Fuller. I was born and raised here in San Diego, and attended school at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, where I received my B.S. in Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science. After I graduated in 2018, I began working at Catalyst as a PT aide and learned so much from all the therapists. They inspired me to continue pushing myself to always be curious and ask questions. I love being active and surrounded by the health and wellness industry, so I took my career one step further. In 2020, I became a personal trainer and stretch therapist, and began working with athletes. Finally, I went back to school at Healing Hands School of Holistic Health and became a Certified Massage Therapist. My ultimate goal is to work in professional sports and become a Jack (Jane*) of all trades. I love working in Catalyst’s learning environment with these incredible people, and I look forward to becoming an asset to the Catalyst team!
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Personal training, Physical therapy
Where were you born: San Diego
Happy Place: The balcony at my house paired with a cup of coffee
Meal: My grandmothers “Seco” a traditional Ecuadorian meal
Destination To Travel: Ireland, Ecuador, India, Greece
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? VW Beatle convertible, because it’s a unique model that goes well with he beach
Hobby: Hiking, yoga, reading, swimming
Sports Team: Manchester United
Musician: Switchfoot, Alan Jackson, Sam Hunt, Dua Lipa
Book: Harry Potter Series, The Giver, The Princess Bride
For What Would You Be Famous: Talk show host, I’m a pretty nosy person
Best Advice Ever Given: Do random acts of kindness every day
Calvin Spivey
ABOUT
The ”Military BRAT”, born in Texas, spent his earlier years in Europe, and his formative years in Seattle, before deciding to move his family to sunny San Diego to escape the rain in 2010.
Calvin is a ABMP insured, California certified massage therapist who is deeply committed to sharing his passion for healing and well-being with others. He has a natural gift of problem solving dysfunction in the body and strives to educate the client on how to maintain their health.
Calvin received his HHP degree from the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine where he gained extensive training in Tui Na, deep tissue, Swedish, foot reflexology, sports and PNF stretching which he uses to help correct imbalances in the body. While he is not helping others feel better, you will always find Calvin hanging with his wife Tonya and two daughters Nya and Quinci playing “spa day” or painting fingernails which are his favorite activities.
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT:
Where were you born: Waco, Texas
Happy Place: The Northwest forest
Meal: Bacon burgers with fries or a bowl of frosted flakes
Destination To Travel: Mexico or home to Seattle
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? Cadillac Escalade-American made, big, strong, dependable, and just a little bit flashy
Hobby: Golf and anything my ladies are into
Sports Team: San Francisco 49ers
Musician: Bob Marley or The Roots
Book: The way of the peaceful warrior
For What Would You Be Famous: Lending a helping hand, shoulder, or ear.
Best Advice Ever Given: People are going to judge you purely because the color of your skin. Prove their assumptions wrong.
Andrea Csaszi
ABOUT
Andrea has a passion for the human body and physical movement! She’s a San Diego native, born and raised in Oceanside. She attended the University of San Diego where she competed on USD’s Division I Women’s Volleyball team as libero. Andrea graduated Summa Cum Laude from USD, with her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. Andrea then followed her passion, transitioning to physical therapy school at San Diego State University, where she achieved her Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
In her physical therapy practice, Andrea focuses on a holistic wellness model. She possesses a special gift for finding the “spark” in each patient by motivating and empowering them through coaching and education. She’s excited to join the team at Catalyst, where her talents and practice style align with the company’s ethos and mission.
Andrea is a health and fitness enthusiast. She loves competitive beach volleyball, being active outdoors, trying new and challenging workouts, preparing healthy recipes, and expanding her knowledge of health and nutrition.
Andrea’s inspired by seeing people healthy, happy, and thriving in their daily lives, whether it’s through sports, hobbies, or in their occupations. Andrea practices what she preaches, and is enthusiastic about helping her patients enjoy optimal function, greater independence, improved quality of life, and joy!
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: 3D MAPS- 3D Movement Analysis & Performance System from Gray Institute of Applied Functional Science, Love working with volleyball athletes given my competitive background in the sport
Where were you born: San Diego native, born and raised in Oceanside
Happy Place: Beach, specifically on the beach volleyball court!
Meal: Rimel’s Rotisserie Grilled Mahi or “Fresh Catch” Bowl with Green Chili Garlic Sauce…loaded with fresh veggies, brown rice, and fresh fish! Green Sauce is to-die-for! Add some sushi or poke for an appetizer and that’s one healthy, delicious, and nutritious meal!! ☺
Destination To Travel: Dominican Republic and Hungary- my ethnicity!
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? An electric vehicle: friendly to our environment, efficient, economical, practical, low maintenance, and just like a “spark” of electricity, I bring a “spark” of energy and I love finding the “spark” in each patient by motivating and empowering them to achieve success in their goals!
Hobby: Beach Volleyball!! Also being active outdoors, preparing healthy recipes, and expanding my knowledge of health and nutrition
Sports Team: USD Toreros!! Go Torero Volleyball!!
Musician: LOVE MUSIC…Music moves me and fuels my soul! I appreciate different genres to suit the occasion! Often enjoy Tropical House music (Kygo, Avicii, etc.)
Book: Cookbooks ☺, Mind Gym: An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence
For What Would You Be Famous: Wearing flowers in my hair, creating elaborate tasty salads, making homemade treats of all kinds, especially healthy energy bars, being on a Jazzercise billboard ☺
Best Advice Ever Given: Life is a beautiful gift, reflect and be thankful each day. The greatest wealth is health! Everything happens for a reason, have faith and find happiness in the journey. Be open-minded and present so you can take opportunities and interactions to learn and grow, be a life-long learner. Think positively and be optimistic with a “glass half full” outlook! Do what you love, and love what you do! Bring joy to others, brightening their days with kindness, compassion, a smile, and genuine care. Give of yourself with service to others, using your talents to enhance people’s lives!
Alex Coleman
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Gait analysis. Neurology. Spinal injuries
Where were you born: San Jose
Happy Place: On top of a mountain
Meal: Veggie Burrito
Destination To Travel: Iceland
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? Prius. quiet and reliable
Hobby: Rock Climbing/Olympic Weightlifting
Sports Team: Golden State Warriors/San Francisco 49ers
Musician: Frank Ocean
Book: Cat’s Cradle
For What Would You Be Famous: Reality TV show star
Best Advice Ever Given: If you want something done right you have to do it yourself
Leila Ghasemi
ABOUT
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT:
Where were you born: Austin, Texas
Happy Place: The beach
Meal: Khoresh
Destination To Travel: Greece
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? I don’t really know anything about cars
Hobby: Volleyball
Sports Team: San Antonio Spurs
Musician:
Book: Green Angel
For What Would You Be Famous: N/A
Best Advice Ever Given: Your mental health is just as important as your physical health
Jena Walther
ABOUT
Jena is part of the Catalyst Management Team, handling all things Front Office and HR. She started out her career in exercise science, completing a Master’s in Exercise Physiology from SDSU, and working as a personal trainer and exercise physiologist in various rehab settings. Jena also dabbled a bit into writing, creating blog content for health and fitness companies, namely NASM and Wildfire.
Though no longer personal training, Jena loves using her administrative and management skills to help Catalyst clients get high quality care, and help make the company a great place to work for employees. Jena has worked with the owner of Catalyst, Brian Wilson, on and off for the past 10 years, and can’t say enough about Catalyst’s culture, community, and top-notch services…she couldn’t imagine working anywhere else!
Outside of work, Jena is married to an avid outdoor athlete/adventurer, Matt, and they have one baby boy, Koen.
Oh, and a tiger cat, Samba. She’s also a loose-leaf tea aficionado, so if you ever want tea advice, she’s your girl!
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT:Health Fitness Specialist ACSM
M.S. Exercise Physiology
Tea Afficionado
Writing
Where were you born: Salisbury, MD
Happy Place: Coffee shop, writing or reading, on a rainy day
Meal: Any comfort food
Destination To Travel: Iceland
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? Audi hatchback. I like to mom in style.
Hobby: Reading
Sports Team: Team USA! I’m an Olympic Sports kinda girl.
Musician: Jamie Jones or Dave Matthews
Book: The Untethered Soul
For What Would You Be Famous: Embellishing stories.
Best Advice Ever Given: You always win when you invest in yourself.
Brittany Leali
ABOUT
Born and raised in Ohio, I started my massage career with an international massage license in Hong Kong, which is where my family relocated when I was in high school. I found my passion for helping others while working on my degree abroad. Once I moved back to the States, I decided to get my Associate’s degree and Ohio State Medical Board License in Massage Therapy. I’ve worked for amazing chiropractors and MDs since 2009, and found my love for not only physically helping others, but emotionally and mentally helping people heal and grow. I’ve recently moved to beautiful, sunny California, and can’t wait to learn more about my new home. In my free time, I love being a workout-holic and a foodie with my boyfriend, Curt, and my vicious eight-pound morkie puppy, Miley!
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT:International Massage License from Hong KongAssociates Degree in Anatomy and PhysiologyOhio State Medical Board Massage License
Where were you born: Canton, Ohio
Happy Place: An airplane because that means I’m going on an adventure!
Meal: Happy Hour
Destination To Travel: Europe
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? An old beater.. because I can drive fast and not care if I hit something!
Hobby: Working out
Sports Team: The Browns
Musician: The Weeknd
Book: Motivational Books
For What Would You Be Famous: Being Rediculous and speaking my mind.. probably too much
Best Advice Ever Given: Forgive yourself.
Pedro Sun
ABOUT
Pedro Sun is a strength coach (CSCS), personal trainer, and a Nutritionist. He graduated in 2008 with a Bachelors of Science in Nutrition, with an emphasis in Dietetics. He also combined his knowledge of nutrition science, and his love for training and movement science to become a personal trainer in 2010. His main goals are to help people attain overall wellness. He loves to read research, like nutrition and strength and conditioning journals, as well as go to nutrition conferences. He is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He also loves to play sports, exercise and is a foodie and beer snob. He feels that by staying up to date with current methods, he can get people to achieve their goals in a more efficient manner. He believes that not everyone can do all the same exercises, so he makes the exercises fit with that specific person. Pedro really enjoys the fact that he can create change in people’s lives, and is humbled by it. He believes in the team’s approach to wellness and by creating a smooth transition from physical therapy into personal training, it is a great way to achieve better all-around wellness and health.
Fun stuff about Pedro:
Super Power: Can catch food thrown at him with mouth
Favorite Place to Be: Anywhere with good company, food, and a delicious beverage
Couldn’t live without: Exercise… probably the greatest thing since like ever totes
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT:Don’t really have many additional certifications, but I’d say I have attended quite a few workshops which is the equivalent without the piece of paper.Workshops attended:
Feldenkrais methodology: Using gentle mindful movements to help you move better (https://www.feldenkrais.com/)
Cognitive Functional Therapy: Person centered approach to help with beliefs , fears and behaviors (movement and lifestyle) associated with low back pain (https://embodiaacademy.com/courses/182-cognitive-functional-therapy-peter-o-sullivan)Functional Therapeutic Movement: Practical movement based approaches to help with pain (https://cor-kinetic.com/therapist/)Neurodynamics Workshop: learning how nerves move in the body and how they can cause pain (https://www.neurodynamicsolutions.com/courses-general-info.html)Reconciling Biomechanics with Pain Science: Making use of pain and biomechanic science and simplifying approaches for people in pain (http://www.greglehman.ca/blog/2015/02/02/physiofundamentals-reconciling-biomechanics-with-pain-science)Simple Contact Workshop: Looking at the body as a whole and how touch , mind and body interact with each other to help facilitate healing (https://www.simplecontact.net/simple-contact-the-workshop/)Making Sense of the Evidence: Learning how to make sense of research (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYxXTo-p2rE)I really enjoy the different aspects of what makes us who we are, and how our mind and body are inter-connected. I enjoy reading about pain , nutrition , anatomy, physiology , mental health and human behavior.I’m a fan of exploring different movement options also so you can find me at Catalyst doing ‘weird’movements . Kind of like my personality !
Where were you born: San Pedro, California hence the non asian name given to me
Happy Place: With my wife , friends , good food and good beer
Meal: This is a hard one ! I would have to answer in last meal style which would be lemon grass chicken wings with papaya salad, steak with cambodian ‘prahok’sauce
Destination To Travel: Would love to see all 8 wonders of the world. All those countries
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? I would be a Honda as I am reliable, hardly ever break down, and you can depend on me to get you where you want to go.
Hobby: Hanging out with my wife and friends, playing with my cats, food and beer, and reading
Sports Team: Lakers and Raiders
Musician: Taylor Swift
Book: James and the Giant Peach
For What Would You Be Famous: My famous mango salsa for fish
Best Advice Ever Given: Wow that is hard ! I’d say ‘Do your best to make a positive impact in this world’
Austin Win
ABOUT
Austin Win is a San Diego native who graduated from Florida International University as a Registered Dietitian and Doctor of Physical Therapy. He has been a clinical dietitian since 2014, working with numerous patients and clients addressing their health, wellness and nutritional needs.
Austin received his first personal training certification in 2011 through the American Council on Exercise, where he discovered his passion for helping people live healthier and happier lives. Adding to his expertise, Austin is also certified as a Strength and Conditioning Coach through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and as a Sports Performance Coach through USA Weightlifting.
Throughout his career, Austin has been helping people keep active and stay healthy so that they can get the most enjoyment out of life for many years to come! Austin believes people aged 50+ should have better access to great care that helps them stay active, mobile and free from painkillers. Austin knows that given the right foods and environment, the body has an amazing way of healing itself. He is a true believer in letting food and movement be your medicine.
Austin is really excited to add to Catalyst’s fun, warm and friendly environment. He plans on integrating nutrition programs to improve clients’ overall health during and after their physical therapy care. If you feel you need help in this area, please look to Austin for assistance in reaching your goals!
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Nutrition, strength training, martial arts
Where were you born: San Diego
Happy Place: Mother Nature
Meal: Sushi
Destination To Travel: Japan
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? Acura NSX…Fast and classy
Hobby: Cooking
Sports Team: Miami Heat
Musician:
Book: Eat that frog
For What Would You Be Famous: Eating Contests
Best Advice Ever Given: You only fail if you give up
Stephanie Coffin
ABOUT
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: rowing/volleyball/ tennis fitness
Where were you born: San Diego
Happy Place: anywhere with Honey or the beach
Meal: pesto pasta with shrimp
Destination To Travel: Ireland
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? F 150 with pink details, bc I’m a girly girl and tomboy
Hobby: rowing, interior decorating, cooking
Sports Team: Chargers 🙁
Musician: Carlos Santana, Rob Thomas, Ray Charles, ( I love too many to pick just one)
Book: The old man and the sea or The sun also rises by Ernest Hemingway
For What Would You Be Famous: makeup line, modeling, photography, acting
Best Advice Ever Given: previous preparation is the key to success
Ralph Dartt
ABOUT
Ralph moved to San Diego from Los Angeles in 1997 to attend San Diego State University, where he played soccer and majored in Business. After graduating, Ralph began a professional soccer career with the San Diego Flash, San Diego Gauchos, and Utah Blitzz, of the United Soccer Leagues (USL). He traveled to Brazil to train with Avai FC of the Brazilian 2nd Division, where he injured his hip while playing. Ralph returned to San Diego and rehabilitated his hip injury at a local PT clinic, where he paid for his treatment by serving as a PT aide and strength and conditioning coach. During this time, Ralph was so inspired by the positive change that he could make in people’s lives that he decided to go back to school to become a physical therapist.
Ralph earned his physical therapy degree from California State University, Northridge (CSUN). While at CSUN, Ralph was selected as a physical therapy intern for the Los Angeles Dodgers for Spring Training in Glendale, AZ. Ralph worked with both the major and minor league players in the prevention and treatment of baseball injuries. Ralph was hired to work for the Dodgers medical staff during the MLB regular season that year. Upon graduation, Ralph returned to the same clinic where he started as a patient, but this time as a physical therapist. It was there that he met fellow physical therapist Brian Wilson, and developed a strong friendship both inside and outside the clinic.
Ralph has coached soccer for over 15 years with the Santa Anita Soccer Club, Albion Soccer Club, and Coronado Soccer Club, and started his own soccer academy. Ralph is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and has a certification in Applied Functional Science (CAFS). Ralph combines his experience as a professional athlete and coach with his knowledge of the human body and movement science, to motivate his patients and clients to achieve their physical therapy and fitness goals. He is excited to reunite with Brian and be part of a dynamic and dedicated team of wellness professionals at Catalyst.
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT: Strength and Conditioning/CAFS
Where were you born: Los Angeles, California
Happy Place: Dodger Stadium
Meal: Steak
Destination To Travel: Europe
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why? Jeep Wrangler. Prefer to be off-road away from the busy streets.
Hobby: Golf
Sports Team: Dodgers/Rams
Musician: Robert Randolph
Book: The Prophet
For What Would You Be Famous: Kicking a ball
Best Advice Ever Given: Just do it!
Gold Package
Our most popular package, best suited for the “beginner” who is unsure of what to do or eat in order to lose weight. Perfect for those who are > 15-30 lbs. of their ideal body weight.
What you’re getting…
· Nutrition Assessment
· Body Measurements
· Custom Eating Plan
· Custom Supplement Plan
· 12 Weeks of Support
· 2-3 Weekly 15 min Follow Up Sessions
Platinum Package
Our best valued option, best suited for the “newbie” who is > 30 lbs. of their ideal body weight and does not know where to start or begin. This is perfect for those who have failed in diets in the past or those looking to keep their body in top notch shape. This package is only recommended for those 100% committed.
What you’re getting…
· Nutrition Assessment
· Body Measurements
· Custom Eating Plan
· Custom Supplement Plan
· 24 Weeks of Support
· 2 Weekly 30 min Follow Up Sessions
Silver Package
Best suited for the “intermediate” who feels inconsistent, sluggish and stagnant. Perfect for those who are > 10 lbs. of their ideal body weight, or want to conquer old habits and create sustainable ones for success.
What you’re getting…
· Nutrition Assessment
· Body Measurements
· Custom Eating Plan
· Custom Supplement Plan
· 8 Weeks of Support
· 1-2 Weekly 15 min Follow Up Sessions
Bronze Package
Best suited for those who are “nearly there” in achieving their goals or those who may want to “test the waters” out first prior to committing to a more comprehensive plan.
What you’re getting…
· Nutrition Assessment
· Body Measurements
· Custom Eating Plan
· 4 Weeks of Support
· 1 Weekly 15 min Follow Up Session
Kristin Campbell
ABOUT
Kristen Knightly Campbell, physical therapist and massage therapist, holds a Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University and has been practicing physical therapy since May 2009. Additionally, Kristen is a Certified Massage Practitioner and Certified in Applied Functional Science making her a strong asset to the Catalyst Physical Therapy & Wellness team. Kristen is our Regional Director, overseeing all areas of the business. She continually pursues new learning opportunities in massage, PT and business operations. In 2012, Kristen began working for the United States Soccer Federation with youth, Paralympic and Olympic level teams. She was primarily with the US Women’s National Soccer Team as they prepared for and won the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada. In 2016, Kristen stepped away from traveling with the team to start her family, but she has been fortunate to work with athletes of all levels and loves the competitive drive professional athletes bring to the table. Most recently, Kristen has gotten back involved with Women’s Professional Soccer through our partnership with San Diego Wave FC as one of therapists working with the team.
Kristen taught at Point Loma Nazarene University in the Masters of Kinesiology program alongside Brian in 2016. They love working with each other in the classroom setting and feel they both have something very special to offer students. Kristen is a well-organized individual with good connections and a strong reputation for delivering quality patient care and educating students in various settings. She takes great pride in mentoring our staff and encouraging growth as people and professionals.
Kristen is very passionate about her work, but truly appreciates the simple joys she finds in the day-to-day with her family. Her time is filled with her young children, Adelyn and Cooper, her husband, Andrew, and their goldendoodle, Kali! They are quite the crew and can be found outside enjoying all of San Diego’s sunshine!
FAVORITES
Additional Areas of Interest/Training in PT:
CAFS- Certified Applied Functional Science
CMP- Certified Massage Practitioner
CCI- Certified Clinical Instructor
Where were you born: Albany; NY
Happy Place: At home with my family
Meal: Gyro and hummus
Destination To Travel: Europe
If You Were A Car…Which One & Why?: A Honda Accord haha- not the prettiest in the bunch but reliable and durable
Hobby : Traveling
Sports Team: Bruins
Musician: Eric Church (my husband’s fault)
Book: Tuesdays with Morrie
For What Would You Be Famous: I don’t want to be famous- no idea
Best Advice Ever Given: Communication is the key to happy relationships of any kind
