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Phone: (858) 794-9952
Laura personally experienced spinal cord injury resulting in a C5/C6 contusion, fracture and subluxation after a hit and run crash; she recovered to the point where the normal eye can’t recognize residuals of the injury. At the time of the crash, her dream was to compete in women¹s tennis, then open a unique facility catering to athletes and the healthy nutrition and lifestyle associated with athletics. Although the crash ended much of that dream, she never really lost the ambition to open a distinctive facility catering to well-motivated, highly specialized people. Her motivation was re-directed toward using her particular tragedy to help others in similar situations.
After graduating with a B.S. in exercise physiology (with a minor in biomechanics) from the University of Delaware, Laura gained five years of experience at the gait training facility at Nemour's Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, Del., working with children who had cerebral palsy. Laura then completed the Life Change Program at the Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida, and got a job at a spa in Palm Beach. In September 2001, she moved to San Diego, where she became a Certified Massage Therapist after completing her training at the International Professional School of Bodywork. She then worked as a personal trainer for a spinal cord recovery clinic, where she interacted extensively with people facing problems and limitations similar to those she endures. Bonding to and learning from these exceptional people, she (together with her friend, Heather) realized her dream by opening Awakenings Health Institute.
Laura's unique approach to engaging clients is derived from her personal and unfettered drive for perfection in everything she attempts, no matter what odds she has to work against; the "techniques" she used on herself; her superb personality and sincere interest in patient needs; her ability to make others WANT to do as she does; and simple hope. She knows firsthand that clients are undertaking the greatest challenge they’ll ever face—maintaining the drive to help themselves recover—and she represents a wonderful role model. Laura earned the “Hall of Fame Award for Determination” from Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Center in Allentown, Penn.
The seed that blossomed into Heather’s passion to start a fitness center for neurological disorders sprouted after a tragic car accident involving her Aunt Joy, who suffered a T6-T7 spinal cord injury and a traumatic brain injury, spending six weeks in a coma. Heather was 14 when her family flew to Austin, Texas to be with her aunt six months later, when she was released from the hospital in a wheelchair on Christmas Eve.
Heather’s keen interest in the health and fitness industry was further fueled by her love of athletics in high school and college. She ran cross-county and track, and during her four years in college had the opportunity to serve as her team’s captain, work as an assistant coach, and compete at the national level in cross country during her senior year. She also won a Most Valuable Athlete award. At the end of her senior year, Heather was awarded a running scholarship. However, after suffering from second and third degree burns to her feet and ankles, she was forced to stay home and attend community college. After completing her rehab, she began volunteering at the college’s adapted fitness program. This experience not only changed Heather’s perspective of athletics, but it also sparked her desire to become a physical therapist and one day start her own center.
Heather earned her B.S. in exercise physiology from California State University, Chico. After moving to San Diego, she obtained her M.A. in sport and fitness management from the Anaheim branch of the University of San Francisco.
Heather desired to encompass the components of her experience in wellness, sports, recreation, adapted fitness and rehabilitation into one facility. She believes there must be more emphasis on overall health and prevention and there are too few facilities serving individuals with neurological disorders. Her friend, Laura, someone who had recovered from a spinal cord injury and was a colleague at a San Diego spinal cord recovery clinic, enthusiastically shared her beliefs. Their dreams came to fruition when they opened Awakenings Health Institute.
Adam maintains a balanced approach to his acupuncture practice. He continually enhances his skill set, recently completing a 500-hour apprenticeship in Australia on Japanese technique, a subtle and painless approach that affects the deepest levels of imbalances within the energetic systems coursing through the body. In addition, Adam has worked extensively using a more physical approach to treatments that focuses on imbalances in the musculoskeletal system.
Adam’s background in physical therapy and his ability to bring balance to the body’s musculoskeletal system have afforded him the chance to work with professional athletes worldwide as well as people suffering from debilitating injuries. He leads an active lifestyle and knows how important it is on a mental and spiritual level to be able to get through a day without having to focus on physical problems. He has dedicated his life to helping people bring balance back into their lives so each day is a little more enjoyable.
Chris attended Tufts University where he received a B.A. in psychology. Chris also played football while attending Tufts. He attended the Boulder College of Massage Therapy where he received his AOS Degree in Massage Therapy. Chris began working at AHI in August of 2006. His work at AHI has evolved to include many different aspects of AHI. Chris not only serves as a trainer and massage therapist, but also works to co-ordinate the schedules of both the clients and therapists.
Working in both the holistic and intensive exercise aspects of the program, Chris thoroughly enjoys bringing these two branches together. It is his passion to have these two aspects of the program complement one another and grow together. Chris sees his role at AHI to also include finding cutting edge therapies that can be used to facilitate profound healing and increase effectiveness of the intense workouts in the gym.
Dr. Biggs is a leadership coach, psychologist and social advocate who has coached individuals and groups for more than 15 years. He’s worked with a diverse range of clients, including corporate leaders, small business owners and individuals experiencing a life change. Dr. Biggs earned his doctorate in organizational psychology from Alliant International University, San Francisco and Certified Master Somatic Coach™ from Strozzi Institute. Having experienced his own life change from a spinal cord injury, he knows personally the challenges faced by those who experience similar trauma and the importance of having a supportive community.
Dr. Angela Smith received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Human Biology and a Doctorate in Chiropractic from Clevland College in Kansas City Missouri.
For the past twelve years she has studied alternative healing methods in various medical settings and has developed a passion for wellness care and prevention. Her approach to chiropractic care is much more than the traditional adjustment. She combines many styles of massage movement therapy and energy work to deliver a customized session for each client based on their individual needs.
Her mission is to inspire and empower others to take control of their health using simple nutritional choices and lifestyle practices and to educate on the vital role that food has in maintaining or regaining a state of optimal health. She is currently taking time off from body work to concentrate on promoting her new business venture, Conscious Nutrition, with business partner Heather Fleming.
With a B.S. in Exercise Physiology from Chico State and twelve years of experience in the field of Rehabilitation Chad Phillips is a licensed and broadly trained professional. As a Massage Therapist, Physical Therapist Aide and Physiotherapist, Chad has worked in various Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Facilities. Within these facilities he has helped patients recover from Spinal Injuries, Post Surgical Procedures, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Spinal Stenosis, Sciatica and a number of different injuries.
He is very familiar with various types of rehabilitation methods for different injuries, pains, and stresses. His work experience has given him the opportunity to learn different modalities and strategies to help people get well and maintain their health. Chad is dedicated to a multi-disciplined approach that brings aspects of Alternative and Western therapies together, helping patients reach their goals as quickly and effectively as possible.
My name is Frank E. Starks. I was born in New York and raised in the Bay Area. That means I have the social skills with the back bone to back it up. I love to work out and play sports as much as possible. So much that I got into personal training so that I may help others play and be at there best too. But Awakening Heath Institute is not just a personal training class. They are dedicated in helping people who have Spinal Cord injuries and to me, that is a GREAT way of helping people. People who want to get up and get back on there feet again, this is the place to be and I am so grateful that I can be a part of this wonderful place. Help individuals accept what has happened and just work with it and not against it. I take my job very seriously and want nothing but the best for our clients. If that means to push a little harder to get them there, that's what I will do. At the same time, listening and talking with them and making not only there body better but there mind state all well. I look forward to ALL new clients and hope I/we can get a chance to help.
Jeremy P. McGhee (a.k.a. Gooseman), returned to his hometown of San Diego in the Spring of ‘08, after working on ski films for four years in Mammoth Lakes, CA. First stop: Awakenings Health Institute! Rendered paraplegic in a motorcycle wreck in ’01, McGhee hasn’t slowed down one bit. In his own words, “If it’s not a burrito or doesn’t scare me to death then...well…I’m bored.”
His love for adrenaline sports, lands him the arena of avid skier, surfer, and downhill mountain biker, but McGhee brings to Awakenings a wealth of experience in fundraising, online dynamics, and knowledge in sports for the spinal cord injury community. He has come on board in the interest of making Awakenings’ acute rehabilitation programs more affordable and accessible by organizing fundraising events for individual clients.
Not only that, but McGhee will be implementing a fully integrated online database management system to empower Awakenings to its fullest marketing capacity. In the midst of all this, McGhee’s passion for the outdoors will bring many of Awakenings’ clients “Into the Wild” and get them out there doing the sports they love. So, you name it. McGhee does it. Like he says, “Make it Happen.”
Heather works with physicians who emphasize natural therapies, providing the nutritional component of their treatment plans. Her background includes sports nutrition, weight management, and rehabilitation with spinal cord injury patients, and she is also a certified Pilates instructor. Heather has a B.S. in nutritional science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
The goal of Heather’s Conscious Nutrition program is to assist others in creating their optimal healthy lifestyle and developing a relationship with their bodies' needs. Everyone is different and thankfully every day is different, so becoming a “personal guru” is critical for success in improving and maintaining optimal health.
Heather uses an open-minded approach to nutrition that includes a variety of options based on each person’s unique needs. The tools she offers help clients become the healthy, balanced and knowledgeable people they aspire to be.
Andrea Plichta received her Masters of Science Degree in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine from Southwest Acupuncture College in Boulder, Colorado. She has spent one year in a post graduate mentorship with Whitfield Reaves specializing in Orthopedic and injury rehabilitation.
Andrea has been studying alternative therapies and western medicine for over ten years incorporating different modalities to provide a treatment plan that is specific for that individual. A conjunction between eastern and western medicine is what should be cultivated. She is a licensed massage therapist accredited by NCTMB since 2000 she incorporates Thai massage with neuromuscular and Asian bodywork (acupressure and meridian therapy). She is also trained in Pilates and nutrition.
She understands the focus that should be placed on health and its three-fold pyramid, the physical/nutritional, the mental/emotional and the spiritual. She works together with clients to help educate and realize their greatest potential. Health is a lifelong process, one that is always changing just as the person who lives it.
Dr. Michals is energetic, positive and passionate about everything he does. His desire to make a positive impact and help others is readily apparent, as is his dedication to the chiropractic profession and his patients.
An Escondido, California native, Dr. Michals completed his pre-chiropractic education at San Diego State University, where he graduated with a B.S. in biology. He then attended Palmer Chiropractic College-West in San Jose, receiving his Doctor of Chiropractic in December 2003.
Dr. Michals began his career in Fremont, California under the guidance of his mentor, Dr. Hans Freericks. After refining his skills and techniques, he moved back to San Diego to pursue his dream of having his own practice. He’s very pleased to work with clients from Awakenings.
After a rollover car accident left Matt paralyzed, his focus in life was shifted. His long career in the motorcycle industry, working as a mechanic, rider support coordinator, and semiprofessional racer, gave him the strength required to overcome his paralysis. After about six months of being in a wheelchair, Matt was able to start walking on his own.
Soon there after, he took part in a gait training study that allowed him to walk better and learn about gait training with spinal cord patients. From there, it was down a new road. Matt became a certified aerobics instructor, taught spin classes and earned AFAA certification to enable him to begin life as a trainer.
Still working on his own rehab, Matt came to Awakenings to train as a client. It was soon apparent to everyone where he needed to be living and working. Not long thereafter, Matt moved to Solana Beach to begin working at Awakenings.
Andrew studied Health Sciences and Nutrition at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In August 2007, Andrew moved to San Diego to pursue his fitness career. His training experience includes several different populations, including amateur bodybuilders, and a retired mixed-martial arts fighting champion. He has also worked as a physical therapy aide in a center for orthopedics and sports medicine. After visiting Awakenings Health Institute, Andrew decided to challenge his fitness skills by committing to work with persons who have neurological disorders. After completing an internship at Awakenings, Andrew was hired as a trainer. Today, he continues to learn from Laura, Heather, and other experienced trainers’ examples while combining his own style into his work. Andrew also holds a personal training certification from the American Council on Exercise.
Angeli graduated from USC with an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology. During her four years there, she interned with the Athletic Medicine department, helping athletes recover from their injuries. She is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA. Previously, Angeli worked at a spinal cord clinic in San Diego. Now, she works part-time as a strength and conditioning coach at USC. During her free time, Angeli enjoys riding motorcycles and surfing.
Matt obtained a B.S. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in physical therapy focusing in adaptive rehabilitation from San Diego State. Upon completion of his degree at SDSU Matt quickly enrolled in a two year Holistic Health Practitioner program at IPSB College, here in San Diego, specializing in many western and eastern styles of massage and bodywork. While in college he interned at the SDSU Adult Fitness Clinic where the clientele ranged from individuals with strokes, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, and more. He has also worked as a Physical Therapist Aide throughout and post college. Upon completing his schooling at IPSB he was looking for a way to incorporate both areas of education, massage and rehabilitation/training; he found that here at Awakenings.