Position: Team Doctor

Medical Training

Medical School: Michigan State University

Residency: University of Utah, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Fellowship: University of Utah, Sports Medicine

Website: https://www.vvh.org/the-spine-center/#campian

Home Club/Team: Sunlight Winter Sports Club (SWSC)

What are some keys to caring for skimo/endurance athletes? Ensuring proper balance between sports specific training, cross/strength training and recovery incorporating proper nutrition to avoid injury, overtraining and burnout. Injury prevention is always the best. Finally, to not hesitate encouraging rest when necessary for injury recovery.

How/when did you start being an endurance athlete? I was introduced to ultrarunning by a group of runners in Michigan that referred to themselves as the “darksiders.” That name couldn’t haven’t been more true, having been a terrible influence on me and ultimately changing my running life forever. I ran my first ultra in 2007, Dances with Dirt 50k in Hell, MI and since then I have run more than 20 ultras to include five 100 mile races.

What are your nutrition principles? Balanced, non-restrictive diet focusing on fruits, vegetables, complex carbs and lean protein. The key is to ensure that you’re getting enough calories to support your training/racing load. Also, don’t fret the occasional chips or beer.

Favorite training venue: Sunlight Mountain Resort

Favortite Mantra: “Forward relentless motion”

What do you do in the summer to train for skimo? Trail running and rock/alpine climbing. I also try to strength train several times a week.

Other than your race gear, what are three things you pack for racing trips?: Sunscreen and lots of it, ginger chews and body glide.

What inspires you? Watching athletes of all abilities push themselves on the trail, in the mountains or at the crag. A little blood, sweat, tears and mud isn’t bad either.

What do you do to relax? Beer and the NBC Nightly News