Hi ! My name is Stacey. I'm a physical therapist and athletic trainer based in the United States. I've spent the last 10 years helping professional and elite athletes achieve their high performance and health goals. Pique to Peak was founded to empower others to explore the outdoors by providing education and physical preparation planning. I have combined my expertise in physical performance and injury mitigation with my love of the outdoors, hiking and helping others. Win-win!
Watching the incredible Fagradalsfjall eruption in Iceland 2021.
Growing up in Northern California the Pacific Crest Trail was my backyard. The outdoors and being active have been a pivotal part of my career and life. Over the years I have hiked, trekked and adventured through the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, England, Ireland, Italy, France, Switzerland, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Iceland and counting!
When I completed the Tour Mont Blanc in 2021 there were so many people who appeared to be underprepared or who became injured during the trek. To my surprise, age wasn't necessarily a limiting factor. I noticed the older trekker tended to fair better than younger. I wondered if this was because older (and typically more experienced) folks have often completed a significant amount of trekking or walking holidays, know the demands AND prepare well. Generally, it was the younger groups who got into trouble. The most memorable people I met who had to change their plans because of injury was a Spanish couple in their 30s who failed to prepare but thought they would rely on their spirit. Extreme soreness that turned into a tendon issue limited their ability to descend. Perhaps the level of risk taking is higher too in the younger group (I did see a guy who looked to be in his mid-20’s attempt to jump from rock to rock and fall off resulting in a badly sprained ankle…) but almost unequivocally the level of specific and dedicated preparation was much lower. Reliance on general fitness was common and didn’t go as planned for many.
How will you prepare? Let's work together
Just like with the logistical planning of any trip, over the years it has become clear that most people will benefit from guidance on how to best prepare to make hiking, trekking and walking holidays more attainable and generally enjoyable. Some of the help I provide has come in the form of education. We don't know what we don't know! This blog will serve as an educational platform for its readers.
For the people who weren't able to prepare adequately or at all, I typically saw them after the fact in my sports medicine practice looking for guidance on how to rehab back from an injury. This has allowed me to combined my expertise in physical performance and injury mitigation with my love of the outdoors, hiking and helping others. Instead of reacting and recovering from an injury, let's work together and be proactive! I create simple but effective training and exercise plans to help decrease injury risk and simply be better prepared and more confident to conquer your next adventure!
Example of basic beginner flexibility
Empowering YOU
This blog will feature four main categories- 1) General Topics, 2) High Fives, 3) Product Podiums and 4) Science Reviews. 1) General topics- this is just as it sounds, topics related to hiking, health and physical preparations. If you have an idea or something you'd like us to cover, please reach out! 2) High Fives- a quick list of five things that meet the category or topic of the post. This post type should be an easy, fun and helpful list for you to visit and re-visit. 3) Product Podiums- products I have independently purchased and use. This section is to help you understand the pros and cons of the featured item as you are considering your next purchase. 4) Science Review-while experience and personal anecdotes are powerful, information rooted in science will serve as our foundation. The facts will help drive our knowledge-base.
Until Next time...
Thank you for your time. Please leave a comment below or get in touch with ideas you may have or topics you would like covered or if you'd like to work together. This information is for YOU. Get out there!- Stacey
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