DR. CHRIS GARCIA
CEO & Founder
– Doctor of Physical Therapy
– Sports Clinical Specialist
– Certified Strength And
Conditioning Specialist
– Sports Performance Coach
Dr. Chris Garcia holds the distinction as San Diego’s first and only residency trained sports clinical specialist in physical therapy. He has extensive experience in treating athletes of all levels and sports, including working with Olympic, professional and recreational athletes. For three years, Chris served as a physical therapist at the United States Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, where he treated the nation’s best athletes. Additionally, he has been an integral member of sports performance teams during the NFL Combine Training program. He further enhanced his treatment methodology with a 4-month clinical internship with world-renowned physical therapist, Dr. Shirley Sahrmann, PT, PhD, FAPTA. Chris excels at relieving pain and improving performance of athletes by blending manual therapy with movement analysis to quickly identify and correct inefficient movement patterns. He has a special interest in managing low back pain, hip pain and knee ACL injury prevention. He has developed a unique screening assessment and approach to identify athletes at risk for injury. Having traveled around the world managing the care of the nation’s best athletes, Chris brings this vast experience and knowledge to help you train longer, harder and pain free.
A San Diego native, Dr. Garcia received his Bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University in Kinesiology and was honored as the Outstanding Graduate of the Year in a graduating class of 10,000 students. He earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Washington University in St. Louis, ranked at the top 1% of the nation’s physical therapy programs. Chris went on to complete a 15-month intensive sports physical therapy residency from The Ohio State University Sports Medicine Center. Chris is a board certified Sports Clinical Specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and Advanced Sports Performance Coach through USA Weightlifting. Chris has presented at local, state and national conferences on sports medicine, including core stability, hip pain, sports performance, and bridging the gap between rehabilitation and return to sport. He also serves as adjunct faculty in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at San Diego State University.
- Licensed Physical Therapist, PT
- Doctor of Physical Therapy, DPT
- Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist, SCS
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, CSCS
- USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach Level 1 and 2, USAW
- Selective Functional Movement Assessment Level 1 and 2, SFMA
- Functional Movement Screen Level 1 and 2, FMS
- Graston Technique Accredited Technician
- Sports Taping Specialist
- Posture Specialist
- Movement Expert
- 4-month Movement System Impairment Clinical Internship with World Renowned, Dr. Shirley Sahrmann, PT, PhD, FAPTA
Chris served on various medical teams to provide care for Olympic, Paralympic and professional athletes nationally and internationally.
- ATP World Tennis Tour: Rogers Cup – Montreal, Canada
- IPC Athletics Grand Prix Final – London, England
- EXOS / Athletes’ Performance NFL Combine Prep Program
- ATP World Tennis Tour: Wimbledon – London, England
- ATP World Tennis Tour: Roland Garros French Open – Paris, France
- UCI BMX Supercross World Cup – Chula Vista, CA
- IPC Athletics World Championships – Lyon, France
- Paralympic Games – USA Track and Field, London, England
- USA BMX Olympic Trials – Chula Vista, CA
- USA Rowing National Regatta Olympic Trials – Chula Vista, CA
- USA BMX National Championships – Chula Vista, CA
- USA Sevens Rugby Tournament – Las Vegas, NV
- HSBC Seven Ruby World Series- Wellington, New Zealand
- ParaPan American Games – Guadalajara, Mexico
- USA Track and Field Torpe Cup – Chula Vista, CA
- USA Archery SoCal Showdown – Chula Vista, CA
DR. STEPHANIE GARCIA
The Real CEO
– Doctor of Physical Therapy
– Certified Athletic Trainer
– Certified Strength And
Conditioning Specialist
– Sports Performance Coach
Dr. Stephanie Garcia is co-owner of Sports Performance and is one of our most experienced physical therapists. Originally from Ohio, she graduated with her Bachlor’s Degree from Ohio University with a double major in Athletic Training and Exercise Physiology in 2006, as well as competed as a Division 1 athlete on the Ohio Bobcat’s Track & Field Team, running the 800m. Her personal best was 2:17.
Stephanie graduated with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2009 from Ohio University. She met Dr. Chris Garcia while working at The Ohio State University Sports Medicine, and moved to San Diego in 2011. As a Certified Athletic Trainer and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist since 2006, she has experience treating a wide variety of injuries and athletes, specializing in a manual therapy approach.
Stephanie enjoys an active lifestyle, including CrossFit, yoga, running, and traveling. Stephanie and Chris married in 2012, and welcomed their son, Zachary, into the world in 2016. They are happy to announce that they are expecting a Baby Girl, due in May 2018.
DR. MARISSA RESCOTT
Sports Physical Therapist
– Doctor Of Physical Therapy
– CrossFit Level 1 Trainer
Dr. Marissa Rescott comes from the Fingerlakes region of Upstate New York where she grew up water skiing on the lake, watching wildlife, and building forts in her backyard. She also spent much of her time skiing/snowboarding, hiking, and playing school sports including soccer, lacrosse, and track & field.
Marissa first realized her passion for movement and rehab when she used tent poles and duct tape to fashion a brace for her younger brother’s barely noticeable scoliosis at age 12. Equally fascinated by the brain, she pursued her undergraduate degree in neuroscience at St. Lawrence University where she ran hurdles and pole vaulted for the collegiate track and field team. After college, Marissa spent time in Washington, D.C. working on exercise physiology, dietary supplement, and neuroscience research with the National Institutes of Health and the Consortium for Health and Military Performance.
While in D.C., Marissa began coaching CrossFit and found the perfect way to merge her passions for both the brain and the muscular systems: physical therapy. Marissa obtained her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from THE Ohio State University and received specialty training in the management of hip impingement and treatment of CrossFit/weightlifting athletes. Marissa is excited to join the Sports Performance team and brings a passion for movement, positive energy, and holistic care for her clients.
DR. MELANIE HOAD
Sports Physical Therapist
– Doctor Of Physical Therapy
– Movement Specialist
Dr. Melanie is originally from Michigan but moved to Pensacola, Florida to pursue a competitive junior tennis career, regionally and nationally at the age of 8. Melanie’s passion for physical therapy began through her own experiences from injuries while playing tennis & surfing. Tennis was a big part of her life and when injuries stood in the way of competition, she turned to physical therapy to regain function & optimize her performance.
Melanie earned a B.S. degree in Health Sciences from Florida Gulf Coast University in 3 years and began Physical Therapy school that same month at The University of South Alabama, where she graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Dr. Melanie recently moved to San Diego, CA with her husband who is a helicopter pilot in the United States Navy. In her free time, she enjoys golfing, playing tennis, hiking, traveling & discovering new restaurants around San Diego. Dr. Melanie is very passionate to provide clients one-on-one care, helping them achieve an active and healthy lifestyle.
ALICIA LAMB
SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPIST
Alicia Lamb is a massage therapist who specializes in sports recovery. One of only a handful of massage therapists working with athletes every day, currently, Alicia is the senior therapist at the US Olympic Training Center here in Chula Vista, and has been for the past 7 years. She has worked exclusively with America’s greatest Olympic athletes both winter and summer, and has the distinction of having served in the last two Olympic Games, London in 2012 and most recently Rio in 2016. Alicia brings experience and passion to her work and is privileged to be the therapist of choice for the Olympic Rowing team and Team USA’s Track and Field athletes. Her expertise has taken her all over the world to assist these elite level athletes in achieving their goals. ACE instructor certified for almost 15 years, Alicia teaches Kickboxing classes at the YMCA, allowing her to understand movement, exercise and body mechanics from more than just a therapist’s angle. She herself enjoys skiing, golfing yoga and beekeeping in her spare time.
Alicia holds an Associate of Science degree in Massage Therapy, rare for massage therapists, from the State University of New York system. Having graduated at the top of her class, she is Nationally Board Certified and holds a Holistic Health Care Practitioner’s license in California and a Massage Therapy License in New York. Alicia has training in myofascial release, trigger point therapy, neuromuscular facilitation, myofascial decompression (cupping) and Reiki energy work. More than just a wealth of knowledge, Alicia brings intuition and caring to her healing practice, believing that a healthy body is the extension of a healthy mind both requiring loving attention.
PERFORMANCE TRAINING
TIFFANY JEAN-PIERRE
PERFORMANCE SPECIALIST
– Certified Personal Trainer
– Performance Enhancement Specialist
– Health Coach Specialist
– Fitness Nutrition Specialist
– Weight Loss Specialist
Tiffany is originally from Washington (state) where she grew up skiing and snowboarding, water skiing and wakeboarding, hiking, camping, and running on the high school Cross Country and Track & Field Team.
Tiffany continued her running career at Seattle University where she graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Forensic Psychology. After college she joined the Navy and become a Commissioned Naval Surface Warfare Officer, where she served for 4 years. Tiffany decided to pursue her passion in training after the military, and received her Personal Training Certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the National Personal Training Institute. She has also received certifications as a Performance Enhancement Specialist, Health Coach Specialist, Fitness Nutrition Specialist, and Weight Loss Specialist.
Tiffany’s passion for training started with her own running injuries and working to prevent future injuries. Treating injuries is extremely important, but so is working to prevent them via movement and proper biomechanics. She enjoys an active and healthy lifestyle, including running, yoga, weight lifting, and hiking with her husband. Tiffany is so excited to join the Sports Performance Team and provide clients with personalized training to help them achieve their goals, and create a healthy and happy lifestyle.
CECILIA ELAM
CLIENT CARE COORDINATOR
Cecilia, a super fun, yet mostly awkward individual who is passionate about leading a healthy and active lifestyle. An artist at heart, she met her husband in art school and somehow found herself living in the beautiful state of Pennsylvania, where she ran her own wedding and portrait photography business. She is a mother to a beautiful, smart and vibrant son who has Asperger’s, an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and due to his nature, she found herself having to put her photography work on hold. Cecilia also has many years of working in the medical administration field. She is continuously seeking new skills to explore and learn.
Born in Salinas, California and raised here in San Diego, Cecilia moved to the east coast and lived in Philadelphia for over 10 years (GO EAGLES!) only to come back to the west coast to live in beautiful Imperial Beach in southern San Diego. Having graduated from the Antonelli Institute of Art and Photography, Cecilia is a professional photographer whose work has been displayed at Pennsylvania’s State Capital in Harrisburg. In 2017 she competed in the 2017 NAS Strongman National Championships!
CRISTIANAH COMADURAN
CLIENT CARE SPECIALIST
Cristianah is the youngest team member on Team SP! Cristianah loves going to the gym and making those gains! In her free time, Cristianah enjoys getting homework done, studying at local coffee shops, and spending time with her family. She’s planning to study international business and financing in college. Cristianah one day hopes to work on Wall Street. She loves spending time with her little brother, the two are inseparable.
CARLY TURNER
CLIENT CARE SPECIALIST
Carly was born and raised in the Bay Area playing several sports but primarily focused on basketball and swimming. Standing at 6’1”, Carly is the shortest in her family with her brother standing at 6’7”, mom at 6’2” and dad at 6’4”. She is always up for a good road trip, whether it is a two-hour drive or a nine-hour drive, traveling and seeing new things will always have a soft spot in her heart. She enjoys playing and watching all sports, but her favorite team of all time will forever be the San Francisco Giants.
SPORTS INTERNS
PETE CONIFF
SPORTS INTERN
Pete is an undergraduate student studying Kinesiology at San Diego State University. During the Summer months Pete spends his time working as a Lifeguard EMT in Pacific Beach. While in school he works part time for his parents aloe nursery where he enjoys working outside. Born and raised in San Diego, Pete takes advantage of the many opportunities southern California provides. In his free time he enjoys rock climbing around San Diego and bodysurfing the local beaches. Pete hopes to one day become a Physical Therapist so he can help others to maintain a happy and active lifestyle.
REINA CORPUS
SPORTS INTERN
Reina is majoring in Kinesiology (pre-physical therapy) at San Diego State University. There, she volunteers at the Adaptive Fitness clinic to assist clients with developmental disabilities. On her free time, she enjoy singing terrible karaoke with her friends and exploring new places in and out of San Diego. She also has a soft spot for dogs, especially for her own dogs— Milo, Anya, Obi, and Gunner. As a former competitive basketball player, she enjoys playing to maintain her skill set and biking around her neighborhood and the beach.
KAYLEEN BONETE
SPORTS INTERN
Kayleen is a current Kinesiology Major attending San Diego State. She was a transfer student and is a proud alumni of Southwestern College. She plans to attend and become accepted into a DPT program after obtaining my Bachelor’s from SDSU. She has a growing interest in working with the military population and athletes. Being active and playing sports as a kid has been one of the important factors to start her path as a Kinesiology major. Everything about the body fascinates her but the idea of being able to rehabilitate and really make a difference in people’s lives drew her towards the field of Physical Therapy. If she’s not stressing over exams and school you can find her at the gym or taking a nap. Other times she loves to get back on the court and play basketball. Basketball has been a huge part of her life and growing up she was a Lakers fan. Kobe Bryant was someone she idolized as well as Allen Iverson. She is also a sneakerhead and probably has more shoes than she need, but she loves collecting basketball shoes in particular. Fun fact: she tends to make shoe contact first then eye contact. She is originally from Chicago, but being a Navy brat she moved here to So Cal and has been raised here ever since she was four. She still has a ton of love for Chicago and hopes to go back and visit someday.
JEANNETTE BARRON
SPORTS INTERN
Jeannette is currently attending Southwestern College and hopes to attend San Diego State University soon under their Pre-physical therapy program. She is majoring in Kinesiology and hopes to one day become a physical therapist. She has a passion for pediatrics and would like to incorporate that into her career. She is currently a coach at Elite Gymnastics located in El Cajon. She has been coaching for 5 years, but practiced as a competitive gymnast for 9 years. She found new interests as a college student in weightlifting, bikram yoga, and muay thai. If she is not in the gym, coaching a class, or at school, you can find her at the beach reading a book or swimming with friends.
REHAB
We excel at working with athletes of all levels, including recreational, high school, collegiate and professional sports. We offer a wide variety of performance services for active individuals.
FITNESS
Our passion is improving lives through injury prevention, rehabilitation and sports performance. We specialize in designing strategies to improve movement quality and efficiency.
WELLNESS
Our massage therapists are experienced in treating athletes with a variety of techniques. We enjoy improving performance through individualized treatment for each client.