Colleen Russell

Clinic Director - PT, DPT, OCS

Colleen completed her undergraduate work at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in Kinesiology & received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California.  She is board certified as a Clinical Specialist in Orthopedic Physical Therapy and has certifications in Personalized Blood Flow restriction (BFR), sports specific rehabilitation, and hip preservation of the non-arthritic hip through the Hospital for Specialty Surgery.

Her post graduate work has focused on orthopedic and sports specific rehabilitation with an emphasis on performance enhancement. Colleen also has extensive training in manual therapy. This background, and her passion for working with athletes, led her towards directing rehabilitation for Olympians, amateur, professional and collegiate athletes.  She has also been a volunteer physical therapist with professional rodeo’s Justin Sports Medicine Team and professional volleyball’s AVP and FIVP tours.

Colleen is a sixth-generation San Luis Obispo County native and an outdoor enthusiast. She enjoys working with and giving back to a community that has given so much to her, hiking with her family, and taking on new challenges as she ages which has included running with the bulls in Pamplona, a tough mudder and first marathon, learning to snowboard, and having two kids at almost 40.

Education

University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California

Doctor of Physical Therapy, May 2006

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California

Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology, December 2001

Daniel Apodaca

PT, DPT

Daniel was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico and played many sports growing up, mainly excelling in high school football. After sustaining several injuries during play, he developed an interest
for the rehabilitation process as well as a passion for exercise and wellness. Daniel studied Exercise Physiology at the University of New Mexico and received his bachelor’s degree in 2015. Following
graduation, he became a NASM certified personal trainer and began working at local gyms in New Mexico and Colorado. He specialized in sports performance, strength training and weight loss with an
emphasis on functional exercise. Daniel then pursued his physical therapy degree at University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and earned his doctorate in 2020. Daniel has a strong passion for sports medicine and extensive knowledge of strength and conditioning. He is excited to utilize his manual therapy and clinical reasoning skills to provide optimal care to patients of all levels. Outside of physical therapy Daniel enjoys weightlifting, mountain biking and many other outdoor activities.

Education

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, Miami, Florida
Doctor of Physical Therapy, December 2020

University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science, May 2015

Matthew Freeman

PT, DPT

Matt was raised in Sebastopol California and moved to Slo in 2013 to attend Cal Poly where he received a B.S. in Kinesiology. Matt then moved to Portland Maine to study at the University of New England and received a Doctorate in Physical Therapy. His love for the central coast from him back to Slo after graduating from PT school. Outside of the clinic, Matt is an avid surfer, bodyboarder and disc golfer.

Education

University of New England, Portland, ME
Doctor of Physical Therapy, May 2021

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
B.S. Kinesiology, December 2016

Julie Sullivan

PT, DPT

Julie was raised on the western slope of Colorado and attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, receiving a degree in Integrated Physiology. She then relocated to Portland, ME to receive a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of New England. Following graduation in 2021, she decided to explore the opposite coast and see what the beautiful area of San Luis Obispo has to offer.

Julie is passionate about maximizing her clients’ potential and returning them to doing what they value most. She enjoys treating those of all ages for orthopedic, neurological, and/or cardiovascular-related conditions.

In her free time, Julie enjoys running, cycling, rollerblading, and stand-up paddleboarding.

Education

University of New England, Portland, Maine

Doctor of Physical Therapy, May 2021

University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado

Bachelor of Arts, Integrated Physiology, May 2018

Minor: Business

Tyler Almeida

PTA

Tyler was born and raised on the Central Coast of California. He attended California Polytechnic University and earned his Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology with a focus on exercise science and health promotion. Later, he would go on to earn his Associate's degree in the Physical Therapist Assistant program at San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico. Tyler's hobbies include hiking, backpacking, camping, and playing soccer. 

Education

San Juan College, Farmington, New Mexico

Associate of Applied Science, Physical Therapy Assistant, Dec. 2020

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA

Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology, June 2014

Brittany Ruiz

Front Office Manager

Brittany is a native of the Central Coast born and raised in the area. A highschool swimmer and member of the FFA she decided to pursue a career in the Culinary Arts. After a few years in a local bakery and wanting to be able to spend more time with family made a change to a different work field. After receiving her occupational associate degree in Professional Business Systems at Laurus College in 2014 she worked for a local food distribution company and later became a member of the Movement for Life team in 2017. She enjoys helping to lead her front desk team in creating an at home atmosphere for each patient that walks through the door. She is always able to help out with planning their physical therapy needs and answering all the questions they have. In her off time she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, crafting, cooking, shooting sports and helping her daughter with 4-H livestock projects and leading other projects for the Club.

Julie Rawlings

PT, NCS

Julie grew up in Durban, South Africa, which is a large city on the southern eastern coast of Africa. After studying radiography for 2 years, she transferred to a Physical Therapy program in Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, graduating in 2001. Looking for adventure, she left for England to work for the NHS, was able to travel around some of Europe, and experience the english countryside for a couple of years, where she met her husband. Since arriving in the United states, in 2003, Julie has lived and worked in Monterey CA, and moved recently from Redding California, to be closer to family here in San Luis. Julie has enjoyed working with patients in many phases of their rehabilitation, including Acute care, Transitional care and Outpatient care. She has a special interest in neurological and vestibular disorders, and achieved her Board Certification in Neurologic Physical Therapy in 2015. Outside of her professional role, Julie enjoys walking her dogs on the beach, hiking, reading, volunteering in her kids schools and trying to attract birds to her yard. 

Kimberly McCarty

PT, DPT, OCS

Kimberly “Kimi” was born and raised in San Luis Obispo. After graduating from UCLA, Kimi worked as a PT aide in the Aerovista Clinic before attending Northwestern University in Chicago, IL to earn her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She returned to California to complete a one year Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency program through University of Southern California, including a position as an adjunct faculty member. While having a primary interest in orthopaedics and having achieved her Board Certification in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy, Kimi has experience in a variety of areas including athletic injuries, post-operative care, vestibular and neurologic conditions. During her clinical experience in various settings including Division 1 athletic training rooms, emergency care, and outpatient clinics, she has furthered her passion for treating patients of all ages and conditions, and values a patient specific approach to rehabilitation. She looks forward to being back in her hometown to enjoy hiking, the outdoors, and spending time with her family.

Kimi's favorite form of movement is hiking and spin class.

Education

Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois

Doctor of Physical Therapy, April 2021

University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California

Bachelors of Science, June 2017

Kieran McQuade

PT, DPT

Kieran was born and raised in Shell Beach, California and has spent most of his life in San Luis Obispo County. He attended California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, earning his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Science. Kieran worked part-time as a rehabilitation aide with Movement for Life at the Aerovista clinic during his undergraduate career before attending Mount Saint Mary’s University where he received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2023. He primarily focuses on the orthopedic patient population, but also enjoys working with patients who have neurological or other physical conditions. Outside of the clinic, Kieran enjoys surfing, spending time with his family, golfing, and you can usually find him at local concerts.

Education

Mount Saint Mary's University, Los Angeles, California

Doctor of Physical Therapy, September 2023