top of page

Upbeat, friendly, deeply supportive during hip replacement

Debra L

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dr. Mariel Hammond desires to promote a healing environment where all patients can truly understand their diagnosis, work together with their providers to improve their outcomes, and return to function with a sense of accountability that empowers them. Mariel has studied many realms of physical therapy assessment, including Postural Restoration Institute (PRI), McKenzie, Maitland, Sahrmann, and Functional Range Systems that allow for a full body approach to assessment and treatment. She utilizes movement screening approaches such as the FMS and the SFMA for return to sport performance and life, which ensures your treatment will help reduce future risk of injury and pain. Approach to treatment Every person is different, in the way that they move, heal, and respond to feedback. Dr. Mariel makes education a priority to ensure that patients take responsibility for their own care and understand the amazing power of self healing that the body can achieve when placed in the right environment. Personalized home exercise programs will be given to each patient, and regular communication with their therapist will allow the patient to reach these outcomes at their own pace. Mariel meets patients at their fitness level, treating the weekend warrior all the way up to the professional athlete. Learning first how to move appropriately, and then load the body optimally, each patient will leave their appointments with a better understanding of how resilient and powerful our bodies can be. She has a particular interest in youth development training and injury reduction, coaching many levels of youth from elementary to college and beyond. Education Dr. Mariel obtained her undergraduate degree at the University of Central Florida, specializing in anatomy, biomechanics and fitness training. She continued her education, getting her Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree at Duke University, where she studied under some of the best physical therapists in the world. Learning from them has been a profound lesson, and she strives to continue her education through courses that spark her passion, and keep up with the ever-changing evidence based practice. Particular interests include sports performance, pain science and orthopaedic injuries. Constantly curious about longevity and reaching her own potential, Mariel has also invested many hours of research on how to improve all body systems - from sleep, nutrition, mental health and performance. A session with Mariel could touch on all of these aspects and more, with up to date interventions that keep you striving to be the best version of yourself. Outside of Work Mariel is an avid adventurist, exploring the many wonders that the PNW provides. Growing up in Florida, she did not have access to beautiful mountains and enjoys the hiking and climbing that nature provides. Basketball was her passion growing up, and she was a high school standout before moving on to UCF where she began to play Ultimate Frisbee competitively. She is now an Elite Level Ultimate Frisbee player, becoming just one of 26 women representing team USA in the Worlds Ultimate and Guts Championships in 2020. She has continued her career with the Oregon Women's club team, Oregon Schwa, which placed 3rd in the nation last year. Don't hesitate to find out how you can get involved with your local league as she loves to talk shop!

Mariel Hammond

Physical Therapist, Eugene, OR

Meet Alex Boettcher, Strength Coach at Zenith Performance and Wellness. Alex Boettcher’s journey into strength training started a little later than most but has been nothing short of transformative. As someone who didn’t connect with traditional sports growing up, Alex discovered their true calling at the age of 23 when they entered a weight room for the very first time. The simplicity and raw power of barbells and dumbbells sparked an immediate passion, and it wasn’t long before Alex was chasing the thrill of lifting heavy. This enthusiasm eventually evolved into a love for the sport of Strongman. Despite facing challenges during their first competition, Alex was hooked—not just on competing, but on the continuous process of building strength and resilience. Along this journey, a deep curiosity about training methodologies emerged, inspiring Alex to learn how to help others achieve their strength, mobility, and endurance goals. This drive led them to become a certified personal trainer through NASM. Now, with over 13 years of experience, Alex specializes in working with individuals new to the gym or those who have faced negative fitness experiences in the past. Their goal is to help these clients build confidence and a strong foundation for lifelong fitness. For more experienced athletes, Alex brings expertise and personalized strategies to refine training and achieve ambitious goals in both fitness and sport. When Alex isn’t in the gym, they enjoy exploring hiking trails, belting out tunes at karaoke nights, and creating imaginative adventures as a tabletop role-playing game master for friends.

Alex Boettcher

Strength Coach, Eugene, OR

Hailing from Birmingham, Alabama, with a degree in Communication from Anderson University in Upstate South Carolina, Allie brings a bit of southern hospitality to Zenith's client experience team. She comes from a professional background of project management and marketing, and thrives in collaborative environments where connection matters. Allie is deeply invested in fostering a welcoming space for everyone who walks through the doors, whether someone is taking their first step toward physical wellness or returning for performance optimization. Her goal is for every client to feel heard, understood, and equipped with the information they need to make confident decisions about their care.

Allie Halperin

Client Experience Specialist

March 5, 2026

The spirit of Zenith is upbeat, friendly, and deeply supportive. From being greeted by Allie at the front desk, to interacting with James in the office, to sessions with the professional providers, it just feels good to walk through that door! I have worked with PT Mariel, both before and after hip replacement. She is equal parts exceptional knowledge and motivational joy. And I've just started working with Alex, the personal trainer. He is also obviously very knowledgeable, dedicated, and personable. Both he and Mariel are committed to creating individualized programs by listening and responding to their clients in order to build not just optimal physical strength and recovery but also to educate us in ways that will support our on-going health and resilience. Zenith really does live up to its name!

What Clients Are Saying About Our Rehab 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 Rehab PT—tailored support that helped them move, train, and feel their best.

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

Read More

Zenith is so much more than a gym

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!

Sue H

Read More

Training That Got Me to Division 1

Ropheka is an excellent trainer who cares about the whole person. She took the time to get to know me, my goals, and what I needed to succeed. She has helped me become stronger, quicker, and more confident by tailoring my training to meet my goals in and out of season. Although the workouts are challenging, she makes them enjoyable by encouraging you throughout. These workouts have been an integral part of preparing me to play Division 1 volleyball.

Lauren R

Read More

Struggling with something similar?

bottom of page