John is originally from Charlotte, but lived most of his childhood and adult life in New Jersey. He went to college at the University of Maryland Baltimore County where he was a Division I swimmer and captain of the team his Junior and Senior year. After graduating with a Bachelors in Biology, he got into Spartan and Tough Mudder racing. John went to Rutgers University for his Doctorate in Physical Therapy and graduated in 2016. As he was finishing up with physical therapy school, John transitioned from obstacle course racing to triathlon racing.

Following graduation, John worked in an outpatient clinical setting with obstacle course athletes, crossfit athletes, triathletes and runners to recover from injury and excel in their performance. He has worked with teenagers and adults to improve mechanics, efficiency and performance in their sport.

When not working, John is a triathlete himself. He enjoys staying local and traveling to compete in races throughout the year. He qualified for the world championships in the Ironman and Olympic distance triathlons. Aside from competing he enjoyed spending his time with his wife and puppy Ruckus. He is also a swim and triathlon coach, working with athletes aged 20-70 years old to achieve their goals in their sport!

Professional Achievements

Functional Dry Needling Certified FMS Functional Movement Systems

SFMA Selective Functional Movement Assessment

CMP Certified Mulligan Practitioner

FRCms Functional Range Conditioning Movement Specialist

2D and 3D Gait Analysis

Movement/Video Analysis with a focus on running biomechanics Speed Mechanics/Functional strengthening Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization Kinesio Taping

John is originally from Charlotte, but lived most of his childhood and adult life in New Jersey. ... Read More

Brian Lesesky grew up in Charlotte and had a passion for athletics at an early age. He ran competitively in high school which established his foundation for understanding the mindset and demands of the runner’s lifestyle. This background allows him to relate personally to his patients and understand their ailments

He attended NC State University where he obtained a degree in Business Management. After working in sales, he discovered his true professional calling in the area of physical medicine.

Brian received his Masters in Physical Therapy from East Carolina University in 2006 and focused in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. He is now skilled in a variety of techniques to facilitate improved body mechanics, increase strength and reduce pain.

Most recently Brian set his focus on the science and relief of myofascial and trigger point pain by obtaining his certification as a Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist (CMTPT). Knowing these specifics allow Brian to understand and relieve pain more efficiently and return athletes to their sport more quickly and safely.

When away from work Brian still enjoys running, traveling and spending time with his wife and 2 boys.

Professional Achievements:

• Dry Needling Certified

• Myofascial and Trigger Point Release

• Maitland Manual Therapy Techniques

• Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

• Chronic Pain

• Video analysis for return to sport

Brian Lesesky grew up in Charlotte and had a passion for athletics at an early age. He ran compe... Read More

Jenni is originally from Miami, FL but lived in San Francisco for almost 10 years before moving to Raleigh with her husband in 2016. Jenni went to the University of San Francisco where she played Division I tennis and studied Business Administration. While at USF, Jenni won multiple academic and athletic awards and was inducted into USF’s Hall of Fame in 2016. Before playing college tennis, Jenni played on the junior international circuit, competing in all four junior grand slams and reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in doubles, and the third round at the French Open in singles. After nearly 7 years as a communications professional, Jenni had a change of heart and decided she needed to pursue her original passion. Jenni attended Duke University’s Physical Therapy doctorate program, where she interned and treated patients as young as 10 weeks old, all the way up to 94 years of age. She also did a rotation in women’s health, which confirmed her interest in pelvic health physical therapy. Since undergrad, Jenni has dabbled in running, CrossFit and Olympic weightlifting. She has run several races, including the Nike Women’s Half Marathon two times. She is a CrossFit Level 1 trainer, currently coaching in downtown Raleigh. She also has competed in weightlifting, traveling to Albuquerque for the American Open. Additionally, she is a NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. As a physical therapist, Jenni’s goal is to safely get her patients back to the movements and sports they want to participate in, and at the highest level they are able. The same goes for moms. Specializing in pelvic health PT, Jenni has treated patients pre and post-partum, as well as conditions including diastasis recti, incontinence and pelvic pain. Joining the Run Raleigh Team, Jenni is looking to bridge the gap between sports and ortho physical therapy with pelvic health. In her spare time, Jenni enjoys being a new mom and spending time with her husband, son and dog Ella. She is still doing CrossFit and is looking to get back into competitive weightlifting. Professional Achievements: Herman and Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Certified in Dry Needling NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist CrossFit Level 1 Trainer

Jenni is originally from Miami, FL but lived in San Francisco for almost 10 years before moving t... Read More

Abby Douek is originally from Rhode Island but came to love North Carolina after completing her undergraduate work at Wake Forest University. There she studied Exercise Science in order to explore the biomechanics of human performance. While at Wake Forest she began using motion analysis on research projects for publication.

She went on to obtain her masters degree in physical therapy, graduating with high honors, from University of Delaware in 2002. ​ Outside of the traditional curriculum, she was able to work in the gait lab continuing to use motion sensors and force plates. With the help of some of the brightest in the field, she learned to not only look at the feet hitting the ground but how all movement of the body will effect what happens at foot strike. ​ ​Following graduate school, Abby worked in Baltimore studying under certified manual therapists and working with the Baltimore Ballet and Symphony which strengthened her awareness of postural strengthening for performance. She also worked in tandem with NY Guild certified Pilates instructors and still uses this knowledge in exercises with her patients.

Over the past 15 years, Abby has worked closely with athletes ranging from grade school to professional level, including the Olympic level. Her experiences and course work over the years have allowed her to develop a strong knowledge in manual therapy, exercises for injury prevention and recovery and perfecting form for recreational and competitive activities. Through extensive treatments and watching hundreds of runners and triathletes at various levels, she has become known for gait analysis and correction. She has come to realize that correction of form and muscle imbalances are crucial to not only recovering from injury but preventing them from happening again. ​ ​

​When not working, Abby is a runner herself. She competes in local races throughout the year and also chases around her two small children.

Professional Achievements:

• Functional Dry Needling Certified
• Movement/Video Analysis with a focus on running biomechanics
• 2D and 3D Gait Analysis
• Speed Mechanics/Functional strengthening ​
• Manual orthopedic techniques including Maitland and McKenzie
  • Treatment of spine and pelvis
• Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
• Kinesio Taping
• ACL prevention certification
• Red Cord strengthening instructor

Research & Contributions:

• Blogger for Fitbit
• Expert contributor for writer for Runner’s World
• Effective of perturbation training on non-operative ACL tears
• Design of rehab protocol for lumbar disc replacement surgery

Abby actively works with athletes from the following:

• NFL
• NHL
• Baltimore Symphony
• Baltimore Ballet
• Carolina Ballet
• Carolina Symphony
• NC State Track and Field
• NC State Softball
• UNC Chapel Hill Track and Field
• US Olympic Runners
• North Carolina High schools: track, tennis, baseball, volleyball, basketball, cheerleading
• NCFC athletes

Abby Douek is originally from Rhode Island but came to love North Carolina after completing her u... Read More

Jennifer Hood is passionate about providing exceptional, individualized patient care with a focus on empowerment to allow patients to reach their full functional potential. Jennifer has 20 years of experience treating patients of all ages and types of injuries with a clinical interest on females striving to be the best version of themselves. She applies an integrative approach to high-quality health and wellness solutions for people who are actively engaged in restoring their health, preventing injury and disease while optimizing their well-being.

Patients in Jennifer’s care benefit from her holistic perspective on the importance of exercise, proper mechanics, and growth mindset. Raising three highly active boys is a life experience that enriches her insight and ability to coach patients on the value of purpose, meaning, and work-life balance.

When Jennifer is not working, she enjoys traveling, running, cheering on her sons in all of their sport endeavors, seeking adventures and cultivating relationships with the people who bring her the most joy, including her husband and three children. Originally from Wisconsin, she has been active in sports her entire life and has completed 20 half marathons.

Jennifer graduated with a Masters’ Degree in Physical Therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and holds a Bachelor’s in Exercise Sport Science/Athletic Training from the University of Wisconsin La Crosse. She has completed continuing education training through the Institute of Physical Art, Kinetacore, Integrative Manual Therapy Solutions and the McKenzie method. Through her training and experiences in physical therapy and athletic training, Her work in outpatient orthopedics began in 2003 and she continues to be inspired to provide empathetic care, to actively listen to her patients concerns, and to ensure an environment to allow them to thrive.

Specialties include:

• Dry Needling Certified

• McKenzie Certified

• Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue mobilization

• Kinesiotape

• Running analysis

• Throwing athletes

• Functional movement and rehabilitation

• Extensive manual therapy training

• Treatment of neck and pelvis

• TMD

• Headaches

Jennifer Hood is passionate about providing exceptional, individualized patient care with a focus... Read More