A decorated athlete, former competitive boxer, martial artist, and track and cross-country runner with an insatiable passion for the outdoors, Converge founder Dr. Amy Frugé, PT, DPT, Cert. MDT, proclaims, “Movement is medicine.”
And it’s that same reverence and appreciation for the body’s capabilities that has driven her to open Converge Physical Therapy while in the heat of the pandemic, with the mission “to enable all ages and identities to play without limits.”
After years of being the head of a climbing department at a wilderness camp, a personal trainer, a yoga instructor, and a mentor for doctoral students (among other roles), she came to the profound realization that there is no one-fix-all approach to someone’s wellness. “Different people have different needs at different times,” she says.
Possessing a strong ethos to meet each client where they are, as a “whole person, authentically,” Converge covers much more than the injury to support clients going beyond what they believe is possible.
Fulfilling this bespoke approach to wellness, Dr.Frugé’s once one-woman show now includes a wide range of expertise and women (almost all of whom are extremely athletic)—with three orthopedic physical therapists, a registered dietician, a certified strength and conditioning coach, and even a pelvic floor specialist; covering all the bases.
“It feels like magic that this expansion has occurred and that this team all cares deeply about our purpose and mission,” Dr. Frugé says.
And magic it is. While not intentionally an all-female team (they’ve had a male practitioner in the past), there’s much to be said about working with a group of heart-centered women who happen to incorporate a sense of intuition and connection in their practice. The dynamic has fostered a culture of “softness and femininity into the workplace in a previously male-dominated community or line of work,” Dr.Frugé says.
Wildly proud of her team and all their accolades, she’s most blown away by who they are as people. She says that any one of the women on her team could and will change the world, but that “together—they are a force to be reckoned with.”
Their holistic approach is based on the philosophy of being whole beings, as Dr.Frugé says. “We are not just our bodies and we are not just our minds or spirits. Someone’s elbow pain may be actually caused by their neck restriction. Or someone’s back pain may be related to emotional pain, so to exclude the whole person is to limit one’s healing potential. Similarly, our dietician can’t ignore the fact that someone’s relationship with food is often more about their relationship with self. Our strength coach knows how to adjust her client’s workload with their overall stressors in life.”
This all-encompassing, nourishing care has yielded numerous client triumphs—the kind that make it all worth it for the team. These successes include a first pull-up, skiing without back pain, picking up a grandchild, improving sexual health, and climbing the hardest grade, i.e. “playing without limits.”
Looking ahead to the body’s needs for the winter season, Converge is hosting its next clinic, Snow Prep—a specialized program designed to prepare the body for optimal performance on the slopes. With knee injuries common in a solid ski season, Dr. Frugé says, “It’s good to get yourself geared up.”
Starting September 30th, this three-month program offers a comprehensive approach for both skiers and snowboarders, combining progressive strength training and injury prevention exercises with personalized nutrition guidance.
Alyssa Hernke, M. Ed., CSCS—a passionate coach and educator—will lead the strength-training component, ensuring each participant’s workouts are tailored to their abilities and goals. The program builds progressively, meaning that by the third month, participants will be tackling more dynamic and challenging exercises as their strength improves.
Meanwhile, Registered Dietitian Colleen Shields will transform the way participants view nutrition, offering four nutrition clinics and helping them fuel their bodies for maximum performance.
With small class sizes and individual attention, the integration of strength, injury prevention, and nutrition sets Snow Prep apart from other fitness programs, offering a truly holistic experience that helps individuals reach their full potential on the slopes.
Participants are encouraged to push limits safely, progressively improving strength and agility throughout the season, and gain a whole new community while they’re at it.
As for what we can all do to show our bodies more gratitude all year long, Dr. Fruge suggests:
“To listen. To listen when our bodies are asking us to rest and be cared for. To listen when our body is wanting to run and to listen when we want to be powerful and dynamic. That communication goes so far…”
To learn more about Converge PT or to sign up for one of their clinics https://www.convergept.com
Dr. Amy Fruge, PT, DPT
Amy’s love for anatomy, movement, and pushing the limits started at a young age when she qualified for the USA National Martial Arts team and later won several World Titles. Her experience as a Personal Trainer, Yoga Instructor and Doctor of Physical Therapy pairs with her her knowledge and ability to listen to what the body goes through when performing at the highest level.
What Makes Us Different:
Masterful Guidance: Alyssa Hernke, M. Ed., CSCS, isn’t just a coach—she’s a passionate educator and expert in her field. With her, you’ll experience a meticulously designed, periodized program that’s as intelligent as it is challenging. Alyssa’s approach ensures you’ll develop the strength, balance, and agility to dominate the slopes, no matter your level.
Injury Prevention: We believe in playing hard—but we also believe in playing smart. Our program starts with building a rock-solid foundation of strength, targeting the muscle groups and movement patterns critical for skiing. Alyssa’s expertise will guide you through exercises specifically designed to prevent the common injuries that can derail a season.
“We are not just our bodies and we are not just our minds or spirits. Someone’s elbow pain may be actually caused by neck restriction."