my Rolfing® story

The reality is that Rolfing is not yet well known and there is a lack of understanding around what the work is. I think it’s important for me to share my story candidly, and sincerely, with the hope that it will resonate and inspire that change is possible.

I first learned of Rolfing while I was working as a personal trainer in Fort Collins, Colorado. I began to recognize the pattern of pain and movement deficiencies in my clients and how it would drastically slow their progress toward improving their health or even stop it all together. As important as that process is, if you can’t move, you can’t exercise. I felt as though I had recognized a higher priority for what people needed in order to remain fully engaged in their lives. Coincidentally, I suffered a nasty shoulder dislocation shortly after which negatively impacted my own fitness pursuits. So, now with extra time to fill and a mind seeking to better understand how and why we move the way we do, enter Rolfing.

Fascia and self-care with foam rollers, tennis and lacrosse balls were rapidly gaining in popularity in the fitness community. Although moderately effective in the short term, these implements did little in providing change and long term relief my clients needed. A respected coworker suggested a book to me that would better explain the global relationships of the body. The entire first chapter was a massive download on fascia, its role in the body, why it is so important, and how to work with it. It paid homage to the life’s work of Dr. Ida P. Rolf, founder of The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration in Boulder, Colorado. The light bulb turned on as to how I was going to be able to truly help people on a profound level.

I interviewed a few Rolfers®, learned about the work, and the process of the education. Meanwhile, I was able to experience the work and some incredible change of my own in how I was able to better heal from this recent shoulder injury. It wasn’t until about two years later that I was able to go through The Ten Series™ and that is when I was able to experience the full power of the work. In short, I was completely disconnected from my body; oblivious to the amount of pain I was in due to the structural imbalances in my posture. A background full of athletics through college, year round activity and fitness pursuits after, and a general lack of life balance had all taken its toll. The writing was on the wall that my body needed help. After reflecting on it later, I guess because I worked in fitness I was in denial about how poorly my body actually felt.

Rolfing. Changed. My. Life.

For me, Rolfing was like hitting the reset button. I hurt less, I move better, I have more energy, greater awareness of and connection through my body, I became way less stressed, I am more present… I gained a renewed sense of purpose. So, another year or two passed and I began my education at The Rolf Institute. Already having a solid foundation of knowledge in human sciences allowed me to really soak up the other aspects of Rolfing and what makes a Rolfer so unique in the way they observe the human structure.

Fast forward to now: I feel better at 35 than I did at 25. I have no doubts about my choice to become a Rolfer. Being able to share this work is very exciting. It is very fulfilling being able to see someone go through the process much like I did and come out with renewed vitality. I am very fortunate to be in a position to help people in such a profound way. And yet, there is so much more to look forward to.

I chose to pursue a career as a Rolfer with the goal of guiding people out of unnecessary pain and discomfort. Through my own personal history of athletics, experience in fitness training, and continued education I have acquired a great deal of knowledge and understanding of how the human body functions in the surrounding world.

By utilizing an integrative approach of manual therapy and targeted mobility training, I’m committed to helping my clients live their lives to the fullest extent of their desires, without being hindered by pain and restriction in everyday movement.

Credentials

Bachelors of Science from University of Nebraska Kearney
Specializing in Exercise Sciences: Kinesiology, Anatomy, Fitness Testing, Exercise Physiology, Sports Nutrition, Strength & Conditioning
Certified Rolfer® from The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration
Certified Functional Range Conditioning® Mobility Specialist (FRCms)
NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®)
NCSF & ACE Certified Personal Trainer
CPR & AED Certified - American Heart Association
NE LMT #3673