How did you become interested in PRI and when did you attend your first course?
I first learned of PRI in the summer of 2006 from my friend and colleague Paul Meier, who at the time was the athletic trainer for the US Men’s Alpine Ski Team. He had a difficult time articulating the information to me that he had just learned at the Myokinematic Restoration course he had just taken, and I had a hard time comprehending the concepts, but he was very adamant that it made sense to him and that he had gotten some quality outcomes with the skiers he was working with since taking the course. This piqued my interest and I was signed up for my first PRI course (Myokinematic Restoration) that I attended in January of 2007.
What do you enjoy most about working in professional baseball?
I think I enjoy working in professional baseball because it gives me an arena to connect and work with some pretty special people, both from an athlete standpoint as well as professional colleagues. There is a lot of travel associated with a 162 game MLB regular season, but it also allows me to connect with friends and colleagues across the country to talk shop, exchange ideas and visit different training and rehabilitation facilities throughout the year.
What would you say to other ATCs who are considering taking a PRI class or becoming Postural Restoration Trained™?
I would highly recommend a PRI course to any performance or allied healthcare professional. I don’t think you can find a better educational value for your money when it comes to continuing education courses. It was really the first continuing education course that I took that helped me gain an appreciation for the interplay and integration of all of the systems of the human body. I also highly encourage athletic trainers and performance professionals interested in the PRI science to go through the PRT process. The combination of the application process, case studies, testing process, and roundtable conversation make for a great learning experience.
How do you integrate PRI Principles or exercises into your athletes daily routines?
There are a number of ways we integrate PRI exercises and concepts into the athletes’ routines. Some players will do PRI exercises as part of their routine prior to beginning weight room and/or baseball activities. Other athletes will have certain PRI exercises prescribed based on problems, conditions or patterns that they are currently working on managing. Other athletes will also perform some PRI exercises at the end of their day to help from a rest and recovery aspect. Another way that we will utilize PRI is when an athlete approaches us explaining certain activities that they have pain or perhaps challenges performing and this gives us the opportunity to educate the athlete on patterns and positioning. These types of scenarios breed an environment of “motivation through education” where the athlete will be more inclined to follow a program if it has been conveyed to them how it will help them in the areas they are seeking to improve.
Who have been your mentors in your career?
Throughout my career I have had a number of professional mentors who have helped shape me into the professional I am today. One mentor in particular that sticks out is Ken Crenshaw, the Head Athletic Trainer for the Arizona Diamondbacks. I had the great fortune of working with Ken for 8 years. He is a very mild mannered and selfless guy whose actions speak louder than his words. He leads by example and is the epitome of service, humility and integrity. He always speaks in “we’s and us’s” and not “I’s and “my’s” and the staff and athletes he works with always know that he has their best interest in mind. I owe a lot of my personal and professional growth to Ken.
Who have been your mentors within PRI?
I met James Anderson and Allen Gruver in January of 2007 when Allen hosted a Myokinematic Restoration course that James taught in Chandler, AZ. I have maintained a great relationship with both James and Allen ever since. I have also had the pleasure of working with Ron Hruska over the years by taking a number of classes that he taught as well as working on a couple of special projects and programs that we have collaborated on over the years. Their guidance over the years has been invaluable in my continual appreciation for the science and application of PRI.
How do you go about mentoring others in your profession?
I firmly believe in a “pay it forward” philosophy. I have had the great fortune of having great mentors in my life, and I feel as though it is my obligation to share and pass on information with other inquiring professionals. I enjoy sharing my thoughts and experiences and exchanging ideas with other professionals that I work with or with colleagues who I connect with while traveling throughout the season. I also enjoy introducing young professionals to PRI because I would have done anything to be exposed to some of these concepts and courses earlier on in my career. I feel like I get as much out of these hands on shop talk sessions than anything else.
What types of activities do you enjoy doing in your free time?
My hobbies include reading, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, stand up paddleboarding, and traveling. I also enjoy spending as much time as I can with my wife, Laura, and my daughter, Liv.
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