Meet The Team at Runners' Edge Alaska

Growing up, I was a multi-sport athlete. I could never pick just one sport—what fun would that be? My parents were both Division 1 swimmers, so naturally I found myself in the pool. I watched my older sister play soccer, in which I had to try it out to see what I was missing. I then began shooting baskets in my driveway which sparked a love for basketball. Throw a little karate, cross country running, volleyball, and track in there and you’ve got a good look at my childhood. Needless to say, I loved everything about sport—the adrenaline, the intensity, the competition, and the satisfaction of winning.

Here’s the problem with placing your identity in something with an expiration date—when the championship titles cease and your body encounters injury, you feel lost and alone. This would eventually be my story.

It was my senior year of high school that I decided I wanted to pursue running in college. I had spoken with many Division 1 programs, but it was Washington State University and University of Arizona that had my heart. The coaches at both of those programs told me the times I needed in the upcoming track season to gain a full scholarship. Though I had never put in a track season due to the conflicting soccer season, there was nothing that would prevent me from achieving those times. I put blood, sweat, and many tears into that senior season, and with the help of family, friends, and coaches, I accomplished my goal in the very last meet. That same night, I called the Washington State University cross country/track coach and realized half of my childhood dream. Phase one of becoming a Division 1 Pac-12 athlete was complete—phase two, go professional.

Fast forward to freshman year of college—two foot fractures. Sophomore year—two foot fractures. Junior year—one surgery with a nine-month recovery timeline. Senior year—one foot fracture and one surgery. For those wondering, that would be 40 weeks total in a walking boot and 18 weeks on crutches. I was told I would never run more than an occasional 5km, and never go on to fulfill my top bucket list item, which was completing an Ironman Triathlon.

My identity was absolutely stripped, and I had no idea what to do next. I remember thinking, “why me?” I had worked towards this dream for eighteen years of my life for injury to be my college athletic story? At the time I was pursuing a degree in English Education, and it was the physical therapist at WSU who encouraged me to use my story as a means for inspiration to others. I took his advice and impulsively changed my career path to physical therapy. I enrolled in all the pre-requisites for PT school, found shadow hours, and completed the application process in eighteen short months. I altered my role on the cross country team from point scorer to motivator, counselor, and living example of what it means to persevere. Funny thing is—the year I received team MVP, I never ran a single race.

Throughout my physical therapy school journey, I have made it a priority to dive headfirst into all things sport rehab. I had the pleasure of returning to the Washington State University athletics department for a clinical rotation where I worked under the physical therapist that inspired me to enter the profession. I participated in game coverage with the men’s basketball team where I learned valuable athletic training skills. I then moved to New Orleans for a sports rotation where I worked with a variety of sport specialists partnering with local high schools, universities, and professional sports teams. Oh—and I completed an Ironman Triathlon along the way.

I have a passion for high school/college athletes in pursuit of excellence. Athletes that aspire to be great and use their temporary hurdle as fuel to become better, faster, and stronger. I am confident I will be able to use my clinical skill set to aide in recovery as well as help you mentally persevere through what seems to be the hardest thing in your life—injury.  I have experience working with high school athletes, college athletes of all divisions, as well as some professional athletes. I am excited to be a small part in your great success story—remember one thing: you don’t need easy, you just need possible.