MEET BEN

Who wants to wake up in the morning in pain...? Simple answer: NO ONE!
WHERE THE JOURNEY STARTED:

As a kid, my only identity was being an athlete. Since a young age, I always had my father in my ear telling me "there is always someone working harder than you." So as you can imagine, I worked myself as hard as possible.

I was never the biggest athlete on the field, so I had to use my strengths over my opponents' weaknesses, and I always believed having that awareness gave me the upper hand. Coincidentally, the most common theme I experienced in every sport? ...Injury. I always ended up in physical therapy, whether it was for my shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, neck - you name it.

THE IMPETUS:
After a brief stint as a college placekicker at East Carolina University, I found myself back home at the age of 21 having to become the caretaker for my father. It was then that my identity changed. I was no longer “the athlete.” Instead, I found a new passion for Olympic lifting and sport specific strength & conditioning. While practicing and molding my craft, I had the unbelievable opportunity to mentor under the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for Loyola University's Men's & Women's Lacrosse & Women's Soccer teams.

TURNING POINT:
In my 26th year, life's injuries caught up with me, and I found myself unable to walk due to chronic immobilizing pain. This led me to undergo two surgeries on my groin, hip, and abdomen at the renowned Vincera Institute. While recovering and unable to engage in my earlier passions, I decided to return to school. I completed my Bachelor’s degree with honors in Business Administration & Management.

These trying times afforded me the chance to reflect on my imbalances and past injuries and to realize the value in introspection as a modality for healing. Pain is an opportunity to reflect on what you missed or might have done wrong. It’s a resourceful tool to learn and adapt.

PHILOSOPHY:
Movement is the only true prescription for pain and rehabilitation, and that is what I have built the foundation of my career and personal wellness on. I believe in utilizing exercise as a vehicle to empower and educate about the benefits of mental and physical health. Movement and training is specific to each individual’s lifestyle and goals.

To live optimally, we must learn to control our movement and not let movement control us. The athlete is now the coach.