How my journey in the gym began is not unique. I had the realization that despite all the sacrifices and hard work–I would NOT be playing team sports forever. I needed something that I could push myself out of my comfort zone with–something that I could strive for excellence in. The gym became my go-to outlet for both mental and physical well-being while becoming the highlight of each day. This environment challenged me to turn my career towards maximizing what our bodies are capable of. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Saint Mary’s University in Winona, MN–I moved to Duluth where I received a doctorate degree in Physical Therapy. I have since become certified to perform Dry Needling services–a unique way to change the comfort and function of our tissues. For the last few years, I have been writing programs, assisting in lifestyle/dietary changes, and incorporating my clinical expertise with my passion for lifting to help optimize and enrich the efforts of others in the lifting sphere. My goal for Optimized Strength and Performance is to help people maximize their output–whether that’s lifting heavy, looking good, or somewhere in between–without compromising longevity or risking injury.