Working with people seeking a better life through improvements in exercise, nutrition and stress reduction brings great joy and contentment to my life. Helping people find purpose in their day to day actions, by including habits that will support them along the way is my life’s work. After losing my parents at an early age, I struggled to find purpose in life. Through great pain I found my way to massage therapy, personal training, and nutrition. Helping others lead healthier lives has helped fill the hole in my heart. Now as a husband, father, and wellness coach, the “voice of purpose” in my life is loud and clear. I want to help you find yours.
When I first meet a new client, I always ask, “What do you want to get out of our time together?” Focused and sustainable goals are more likely to be enjoyable, repeatable, and relevant to you and your lifestyle. It is my experience, both in my own life and helping others, addressing health and wellness holistically is the best way to achieve your goals. This means finding your own natural rhythms in exercise, nutrition and stress reduction. Finding what works for you is the key to finding balance.
Intuitive Eating (IE) is a nutrition-focused journey for healing your relationship with food and your body. Before becoming an IE counselor, I worked with countless clients to achieve their nutrition goals, in particular the idea that they needed to lose weight for health or aesthetics. Although the initial results of nutrition counseling for weight loss were always promising, these results were always fleeting. Clients would inevitably gain the weight back and in some cases even more than before the diet. IE counseling can help clients: realize why diets don't work for weight loss; recognize how they were raised as kids around food and how this is affecting them now; regain awareness of their hunger and fullness ques; and, work through emotional and mindless eating.
As a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, I’ve worked with clients facing diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, and food allergies/intolerances. In my experience, addressing immediate nutritional concerns along with becoming a more intuitive eater helps clients establish long-term habits for their health.
Establishing a foundation in which an infant gains the skills of eating with the family can take many twists and turns. Once the infant shows the ability to eat solid foods (holding their head up on their own, showing interest in foods the family is eating) the parent(s) role becomes paramount in creating a fun and enriching mealtime environment. Principals I encourage parents to try are: Baby Lead Weaning for infants; and, the Division of Responsibility and Intuitive Eating for toddlers and kids.
Becoming a teenager brings new experiences and responsibilities. It’s a time of self-exploration and independence in which social influences shape the decision making of the young adult. Unfortunately, many youth find a world where “diet culture” permeates their everyday lives. This diet culture does not have the teens best interest at heart. It stokes the falsity that skinny girls and ripped boys are healthy, beautiful, and better. Eating disorders among teens are at an all time high. I work with teens and their families using Intuitive Eating principles to help develop a healthy relationship around food and their bodies.
If you answer “Yes” to any of these questions, perhaps now is the right time to start your Intuitive Eating journey.
Movement is life. When properly focused, a training routine can reduce pain, increase strength and endurance, and optimize activities of daily life. Understanding your body’s needs and limits helps create a routine that is safe, sustainable, and effective for your needs.
My personal training practice has evolved and developed over the past 22 years since working with collegiate and semi-professional athletes. I have since become a Certified Senior Fitness Specialist and focus on Functional Movement Screening and Corrective Exercise Training.
I have designed and perfected a 30-minute exercise routine that can be done daily that incorporates cardiovascular, strengthening, balance, and flexibility. This program is safe and effective for most clients, and can be modified to accommodate injury, fitness level, and specific fitness goals.
One of the best methods I have found for relieving tightness and pain in the body is Assisted Stretching which focuses on elongating the fascia (connective tissue) in the body. The fascia connects every muscle, bone, and organ together. By focusing bodywork on untangling and elongating the fascia, structural improvements occur and last.
Frederick Stretch Therapy (FST) is a pain-free, unique, and complete system of table-based assisted stretching, focusing on the fascia and joint capsule as the key elements in achieving optimal flexibility, strength, performance, and pain relief. FST is one of the quickest, most effective, and most pleasant methods to eliminate pain, restore function, move and feel better in activities of life, fitness, and sports.
Clients of all ages can benefit from FST, including anyone who has been cleared by a physician for stretching and active movement, fitness enthusiasts, and athletes of all levels. After a single session you’ll notice a marked improvement.
Benefits of Fascial Stretch Therapy:
Another great benefit of Assisted Stretching is the client can wear comfortable clothing the entire session.
“For several years I raced as a professional cyclist, and part of staying in tip-top shape included getting regular massages to flush out the muscles and improve recovery. Basically, this means I’ve had hundreds of massages. Some good, some bad.
I came to Joel, because I was in desperate need to find somebody I could trust who would be on the same page with me in terms of what I expected out of a massage and what they could provide. Joel exceeded my expectations. He was professional, thorough and skilled at his craft. He listened as I voiced my concerns and thoroughly evaluated what my body was saying. Doing what he does, I had nothing but an exceptional experience with Joel. Without reservations, I recommend Joel as your therapist…assuming you’re looking for exceptional.”
-Phillip B. Mann, Jr. – 2007, 2008 USA Cycling Collegiate Nationals criterium race champion
“I started working with Joel at Boulder Country Club on the advice of my Pilates Instructor. I was a long-distance runner for years and as a result (and a family history of osteoarthritis) I have had numerous joint problems and joint replacements. I also have very tight legs, back, neck, and shoulders. Joel evaluated me and began a course of stretching that helped. He told me several months ago that he was becoming certified in Fascial Stretch Therapy. I have now had two sessions utilizing the new technique. The results are amazing. Before, I would tighten up again a day or two after our session. With the new technique, I am more relaxed a week later than I was before the session. I highly recommend Joel and Fascial Stretch.”
- J Michael Dorsey
Hi there. I just wanted to let you know that my leg is better than it’s been in years. I actually slept all the way through the night last night! I don’t know what you did but it sure helped a lot!
-KP
“This past summer, I have had the privilege of meeting weekly with Joel. The purpose of our meetings was to help me get “back on track” with healthier eating habits, correct nutrition, an individualized exercise program, and to promote a good vitamin and supplement regime. Joel was extremely helpful and in the process I was able to feel so much better and healthier! He is incredibly encouraging and knowledgeable and I would recommend his expertise to anyone wanting to achieve similar goals!”
– SH
“I can get lost in the welter of advice that is available on how to eat, what vitamins to take (or not to take), how to live a healthy life. Joel has been my best source of counsel: I trust what he tells me, and have lived a healthier and less stress-filled life because of it.”
– Huck Gutman — Professor of English, The University of Vermont
“I can get lost in the welter of advice that is available on how to eat, what vitamins to take (or not to take), how to live a healthy life. Joel has been my best source of counsel: I trust what he tells me, and have lived a healthier and less stress-filled life because of it.”
– LS
“Joel, I’m happy to report I have absolutely NO menopause symptoms and my surgery recovery was a breeze. My doctors were all so impressed by my vitamins/supplements and said they helped make me the “textbook” surgical candidate. I cannot thank you enough for helping me get my diet and nutrition primed for this. It undoubtedly contributed to the great outcome. I was even able to go on a 4 mile walk this week. I’m so thankful for your empathy and kindness!”
– Huck Gutman — Professor of English, The University of Vermont
Wellness for MIND, BODY and SOUL
