Mike graduated from SUNY @ Buffalo over 33 years ago with a dual major in Physical Therapy & Exercise Science. He worked alongside one of the pioneers of sports physical therapy in Miami where numerous professional and other high level athletes were seen. After a move to Ohio Mike became an NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) in 1995 and then a USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Coach. Mike and Karen moved closer to their Buffalo roots and families, settling in Rochester in 1995 where he spent 9 years working at University Sports Medicine.
Mike continued pursuing more expertise in sports and orthopedic care, in 2004 obtaining National Board Certification as a Sports Physical Therapy Specialist. Mike moved on in 2005 to open Peak Performance, soon to be joined by his wife, Karen. The company has grown steadily with new providers over the years who are dedicated to be Rochester’s experts in functional biomechanics problem solving and exercise design to serve those needing Physical Therapy.
His expertise was deeply enhanced in 2009 through the 10-month Gray Institute Fellowship in Applied Functional Science (FAFS) with in-depth training on functional biomechanics and “3D” views of not only human movement but also more deeply appreciating the “mind, body, spirit” sides that make up all patients. In 2012 Mike completed the Nike Golf Performance Specialist (NGS) certification, later advanced through the Gray Institute’s Golf Performance Specialist program in 2021. He has also completed the Excellus Spine Pathway program in 2015.
Mike has been “poured into” by so many wise, skilled, and brilliant clinicians and educators throughout his years and loves to “pay it forward” by sharing his knowledge and experiences with other professionals as well. He has presented his own weekend courses on functional biomechanics topics and been an invited presenter for NYS Regional and also State NSCA conferences, other local conferences, and at the National APTA Conference in 2000. Mike has been a guest presenter for Slippery Rock University, Ithaca College, and Nazareth College PT programs over the years. Mike and Karen have taught at the High Peaks Elite Running Camps at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid for many years now.
Mike did part-time sports performance training of high school/college athletes during his “off hours” through his company, Napierala Sports Training, having worked at different times with McQuaid basketball, Mercy Basketball, Paradigm volleyball (with Karen) , and various other local athletes at the Peak Performance facility in East Rochester. One of his greatest treasures was helping train his son,Jordan, for his Alfred State football and lacrosse careers and then semi-pro football play as a wide receiver….as well as his daughter, Mandy, with her Radford University and College of Charleston Div I volleyball years.
