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Zenith is so much more than a gym

Sue H

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Michael received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Colorado. Always striving for the highest level of care, he became a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist (OCS) in 2024. This commitment to continual learning is central to his approach. Michael particularly thrives when working with challenging, complex injuries—the kind that might not have gotten results after trying other treatments. He understands the frustration of persistent pain or lingering issues and is dedicated to digging deeper to find the root cause. His goal is not just temporary relief but sustainable rehabilitation to get people back to feeling their best and, crucially, staying at their best long-term. 

Michael's treatment philosophy is simple yet powerful: Movement is Medicine. His approach is highly tailored, utilizing both advanced manual therapy skills to restore mobility and reduce pain, alongside progressive, activity-specific exercise to build lasting strength and resilience. He focuses on empowering patients, whether high-level athletes or everyday individuals looking to move through life without pain, to take control of their recovery. As a specialist in orthopedic physical therapy, he enjoys working with:

Athletes looking to return to peak performance.

Persistent pain cases that haven't responded to traditional care.

People from all walks of life seeking to improve their daily function and quality of life.

Michael is a lifelong sports enthusiast and understands the demands and joys of an active lifestyle. In his free time, you can find Michael playing soccer, basketball, or trail running. He also enjoys traveling and exploring the beautiful state of Oregon with friends and family.

Michael Duffy

Physical Therapist, Eugene, OR

Jesse Burlingham brings presence, precision, and purpose to his work as a Licensed Massage Therapist at Zenith Performance and Wellness. He is one of only six certified Master Myoskeletal Therapists (MMT) in Oregon and among just 300 globally to hold this elite designation. His approach blends advanced manual therapy with a deep passion for helping people feel and move better—whether they're athletes, outdoor adventurers, or managing long-standing pain.

The MMT certification, developed by renowned educator Dr. Erik Dalton, requires over 210 hours of advanced training in structural alignment, biomechanics, and pain neuroscience. This methodology targets the root causes of dysfunction—not just the symptoms—by combining principles of osteopathy, physical therapy, and soft-tissue mobilization.

Jesse’s journey is grounded in service. A U.S. Army veteran and former law enforcement officer, he returned to massage therapy in 2018 with renewed purpose: to deliver results-driven, recovery-focused care that supports both physical performance and long-term resilience. At Zenith, he often collaborates with physical therapists and strength coaches to provide fully integrated care.

Clients come to Jesse for more than massage—they come for trusted partnership in their wellness journey. He customizes every session to support mobility, reduce pain, regulate the nervous system, and restore functional movement.

Outside the clinic, Jesse is deeply connected to Eugene’s cycling and outdoor communities. He finds renewal through time in nature, backpacking, long distance bicycling, motorcycling and the companionship of his dog, Journey.

North Star:
To create meaningful connection through healing touch—helping people move with less pain, more confidence, and deeper awareness. Rooted in service, nature, and community, Jesse brings presence and purpose to every session, honoring the human behind the body and the journey behind the pain.

Jesse Burlingham

Licensed Massage Therapist #24529

Ropheka grew up being active outdoors and playing recreational sports but had never stepped foot in a gym. After being sidelined by several sport related injuries herself, she was inspired to gain a better understanding of how to properly train for the activities she loves, and be able to stay active and strong for a lifetime of adventure.

Ropheka earned her Associates of Applied Science Degree in Exercise & Movement Science at Lane Community College. She is a certified personal trainer and exercise therapist through ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association). Her passion is to equip others with the tools they need to thrive physically and create a healthy lifestyle for themselves. 

Outside the gym, she loves to surf, hike, float the river, and have picnics on paddleboards. She also enjoys cooking and trying new recipes from different countries -especially Thai food!

Ropheka Gershom

Strength Coach, Eugene, OR

June 28, 2026

I have belonged to a number of gyms/fitness centers over the years and Zenith P&W is most certainly on the top of my list.

I have been weight training for 6 months with a couple of trainers who have been top notch. Currently, I am working primarily with Ropheka Greshom and she is an amazing trainer! She truly listens, takes the time to understand my goals, and knows exactly how to tailor every workout. She's friendly, fun, incredibly knowledgeable, and always makes the gym a place I look forward to being.

What really sets her apart is her ability to know when to encourage, when to challenge, and exactly how much to push each of us to help us grow without feeling overwhelmed or getting injured. She creates a supportive environment where everyone feels seen, motivated, and capable of more than they thought possible.

I also love that Zenith Performance and Wellness is so much more than a gym. It's a full-service wellness center not only offering exceptional fitness training, but also physical therapy, and massage therapy—all under one roof. The entire team creates a welcoming, supportive environment where people of all fitness levels feel comfortable and encouraged.

If you're looking for a place that truly invests in your health and well-being, I can't recommend Ropheka and Zenith Performance and Wellness enough!

What Clients Are Saying About Our PT

From weekend warriors to elite athletes, our clients trust Zenith for expert care and real results. Here is what they had to say about their experience with our PT—tailored support that helped them move, train, and feel their best.

Back in the gym, lifting and running with zero pain

Almost a year ago I tweaked my back deadlifting. After giving it a few weeks with no noticeable improvement I decided to call Zenith. I had a phone consultation with Jesse Klein where I explained my symptoms and situation. Jesse immediately put my mind at ease. He assured me that this was something we could overcome and that I should come in for a more thorough assessment. My initial appointment and assessment was done with Jenn Randall. She was great and got me started on the path to fixing my back. Due to schedule conflicts, my ongoing appointments were with Jesse Klein, whom I spoke with early on. Jesse is a fantastic PT and he worked with me through the various ups and downs as I worked to overcome my injury. Also, shoutout to Allie Halperin who always greeted me and made me feel welcome when I came into the clinic. As of today, I am happy to report that I am back in the gym, lifting and running with zero pain. The team at Zenith is very knowledgable and they provide you with the confidence, tools and belief that you need after sustaining an injury. I would 100% recommend Zenith to those looking to perform better and feel better!

Brandon L

Integrated PT and strength reversed leg atrophy, hiking and running again at 60

My story: Struggling with chronic knee pain for about 2.5 years, initially caused by "return to running" way to fast, resulting in IT-band syndrome, followed by a minor meniscus tear on the same knee, lastly age related (60-y) knee issues, all magnified by R-leg muscle atrophy. Which all along, I should have focused on. But ... During the 2.5 y, I tried PT (following a home program), expensive knee gel injections (twice), and finally meniscus surgery, followed by PT sessions. One year post surgery and PT, I still struggled with knee pain and discomfort, severely impacting my active lifestyle. One day, having a coffee with a friend, he recommended to check out Zenith Performance and Wellness. My initial meeting with Jesse (great guy!) went extremely well, developing and outlining what my recovery path could look like. Initially, I set up 6 PT sessions with Mariell (such a gem). While executing the PT plan, we quickly realized that I needed strength, mobility and agility training. I met with Alex (such a great coach), for strength training evaluation. While I thought about just focusing on leg strength, he recommended a "whole body" approach, a personalized plan, updated monthly, incorporating PT recommendations. About 3 months into the program, I'm so relieved, 95% pain free!!!, are able to hike downhill without any pain, soon going back running again (yeah), my right leg muscle atrophy gone!!!, me feeling so much stronger, my overall mobility and agility significantly improved. The combination of PT and strength training, the small group sessions, working out with great folks, the vibe of the place, made a real difference. Everyone at Zenith is amazing, I would like to thank my team, Mariell (PT), Alex and Ropheka (coaches), Allie (admin). Allie you are so amazing, making scheduling and admin a breeze. All of you have a tremendous impact on my healing and recovery, my wellbeing. Is it expensive? I spent so much money on injections, surgery, braces, meds, etc., suffering through it with home sessions, with limited success. At Zenith, I'm on an unlimited small group plan (6-m commitment), do a monthly PT session, work out 5 days a week for 1 hr. I pay about $22/hr. The unlimited small-group session is about $16/session. A great investment for my health and wellbeing.

Kaspar B

Regained confidence and strength after a car accident

Zenith helped me regain confidence after my car crash injuries. I often felt frustrated, dealt with a lot of pain, and disconnected from my body when trying to return to my exercise routine. Michael Duffy was fantastic. I'm happy to share that I've gone back to lifting heavy weights and no longer fear dumbbells. I now feel more in tune with my body than before the accident. Allie at the front desk is a delight. The environment is calm and gym-like. Everyone was friendly, which I appreciated.

Ariana S

Struggling with something similar?

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