About Lesley
For close to three decades, I’ve been committed to helping people take control of their wellbeing. For those who are ill or injured, that means restoring the ability to do the things they love. For others, it can mean enhancing or retaining functional fitness, particularly through the aging process. The ultimate goal for everyone is feeling a sense of wellness, and wholeness by learning ways to befriend your body and feel better inside your own skin.
How I arrived at this place...
My career as an orthopedic and pelvic health physical therapist and a health-fitness coach started with my love of movement, exercise, and dance. According to my mother, I was dancing in the womb. My desire to use this love to help others really took shape through my own personal journey with chronic orthopedic pain after a debilitating motorcycle accident in my 20s and pelvic pain throughout my reproductive life due to endometriosis and, now, ongoing management of the changes that menopause brings.
As I chartered my path to recovery, I found my training in dance, somatics, yoga, Pilates and exercise science helped me understand what my spirit, mind, and body needed for me to grow and even thrive despite pain. And over the years, I have been able to incorporate all these practices into my therapy and coaching techniques, in order that you might be able to thrive, too.
As a dancer and yogini, I know how it feels to be fully in control of your body. The accident taught me what it means to have that control taken away. Because of my background, I am better able to understand and serve you. Whether you are well or need healing, I’ve been there, and I am here for you.
Credentials and What I do for Fun
Education
Doctor of Physical Therapy, University of New England, 2008
Bachelor's of Science, Cum Laude, Springfield College, 1984
Certifications
My Menopause Transformation Practitioner, 2023
Fascial Fitness Master Trainer, 2015
Kinesis, Movement and Postural Analyst, 2011
Integrative Yoga Therapy Teacher Training, 1998
Natural Gourment Institute for Food and Health, 1993
YMCA, Advanced Physical Fitness Specialist, 1983
What I do for fun...
Three days a week I have the pleasure and priviledge of working at an independent and assisted living community in Portland doing physical therapy with the residents to help get them or keep them "moving and grooving". While many people I see there could be considered "frail", in general, they are adventurous and game for whatever I come up with for them to try. In the process there is lots of laughter and cameraderie. I'm continually amazed at what they are capable of accomplishing.
Outside of work I feed my insatiable desire to keep learning about healthy living with dance classes, seeing live music, cooking with family and friends, enjoying nature and hanging out with Milani, my beloved kitty companion.
Professional Testimonials
“As a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner who specialized in care of the midlife woman, I have personally experienced benefit from Lesley's expertise. She has helped me with total body alignment and posture with her background in dance and Yoga supporting her work with fascia and soft tissue. I have referred patients to her who also have benefitted from her skills. I recommend Lesley as a member of your postmenopausal wellness team.”
Susan E. Davis Doughty, WHNP-BC
“Lesley possesses a skill set that is almost impossible to find in one physical therapist. She is a skilled rehab therapist who treats pelvic floor dysfunction.”
Susan Ramsey, Pelvic Health Physical Therapist
"Lesley’s skillset in the art of women’s physical health and well being is second only to her innate intuition when it comes to the integration of body mind and spirit for each individual she treats.”
Gina Garey, Applied Behavior Analyst and Consultant MS-CABAC
“As a dancer, yoga practitioner, and Doctor of Physical Therapy, Lesley has a deep and detailed understanding of the human body and how it moves, both when it's healthy and when it's not. She possesses great intuition and empathy and gives of herself to her patients and clients. She will celebrate your healing as much as you do.”
Robin Behl, Physician Assistant, Author, Film Producer
Affiliations
Lesley has been mentored by New Zealand based women's healthy aging researcher and lifestyle expert, Dr. Wendy Sweet personally and professionally.
While earning her Ph.D. in healthy aging, Wendy was suffering through her own menopause transition. She had a "lightbulb moment" after realizing nobody was taking a whole body approach to the m
Lesley has been mentored by New Zealand based women's healthy aging researcher and lifestyle expert, Dr. Wendy Sweet personally and professionally.
While earning her Ph.D. in healthy aging, Wendy was suffering through her own menopause transition. She had a "lightbulb moment" after realizing nobody was taking a whole body approach to the menopause transition.
She then created the integrated women's health coaching programs she wished had been available for her.
Lesley is a founding member of the Global Pelvic Health Alliance which promotes and advances inclusive pelvic health continuing education and training for healthcare providers, trainers and fitness professionals worldwide.
Learn more about their global mission at:
Lesley is a certified Fascial Fitness Master Trainer through the Fascia Training Academy. She has taught general Fascial Fitness classes as well as certification courses through the FTA to a variety of healthcare practitioners, trainers and fitness professionals.
Learn more about fascia and the FTA at: