Joe simko
Joe is one of the region’s top physical therapists for runners & walkers and is available to you for sports medicine physical therapy at our FFL location inside FrontRunner on Lane Avenue. As a 1989 graduate of The Ohio State University, Joe brings nearly 30 years of physical therapy and sports medicine experience to Fit For Life Physical Therapy. Joe has a special interest in running biomechanics, injury prevention, foot and ankle injuries, cross country running, and fabricating custom foot orthotics. Before joining FFL, Joe served as a Senior Physical Therapist at both MAX Sports Medicine Center and The Ohio State University Sports Medicine Center, where he specialized in treating running & walking injuries. With one of the most recognizable names in Columbus sports physical therapy, Joe also has been an avid runner since 1978. He has completed 20+ marathons, qualified for the Boston Marathon 14 consecutive years, and has a marathon PR of 2:45. Joe lives in Upper Arlington with his wife, Sherry, and their children, Alec and Erin.
Laura Comtois
Laura graduated with a Master’s in Physical Therapy from Notre Dame College, Manchester, NH in 2002. She went on to obtain her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Franklin Pierce University, NH in 2007. Laura began her career in 2002 in Columbus, OH, treating the general outpatient orthopedic population. Throughout the years, Laura has developed a strong passion for treating endurance athletes. She has continued her education related to athletes, runners, and cyclists, and was certified in bike fitting in 2010. Laura truly enjoys the detailed analysis, physical assessment, and treatment of the runner/walker and cyclist. On a personal note, Laura has enjoyed adventure racing, a long distance, multi-discipline (trekking/orienteering, running, mountain biking, paddling) sport since 2006 with her team “Only MOSTLY Lost.” She’s fortunate to have a supportive husband and two young boys who allow her to get “lost” in the woods occasionally!
sean huffman
Sean delivers 30+ years of experience in physical therapy and athletic training to Fit For Life Physical Therapy. As recent president of the ambulatory division of a large local health system, he brings knowledge, excitement and credibility to FFL. Personally, he has completed 50+ marathons and has been a 9:00 minute pace coach with Marathoner in Training for the last 10+ years. Sean studied physical therapy and athletic training at The Ohio State University and earned a Masters of Science in Health Administration at Oklahoma State University with a thesis regarding the role of custom foot orthotics in preventing leg injuries for athletes. Sean served as an athletic trainer at both Ohio State and Oklahoma State with the football, baseball, basketball, and track & field teams. He spent 15 years in Birmingham, Alabama as a senior vice president in sports medicine with Drs. Andrews, Lemak, & Clancy and founded Sports Medicine Specialists (www.sportsmedicinespecialists.com). Sean and his wife, Lou Ann, have four beautiful children – Alex, Emma, Ava, and Lily.
lou ann huffman
Lou Ann Huffman attended and played college basketball at Oklahoma State University. There, she met her husband, Sean Huffman. She is a clinical manager and co-owner at FFL. Lou Ann still loves to play basketball and coaches her daughter’s basketball team. She enjoys visiting the beach and spending time with her family.
FRANK HALLER
Frank Haller received his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from The Ohio State University in 2015. He put himself through seven years of PT school by working at FrontRunner, so he has years of experience in gait analysis and proper shoe fitting for runners and walkers. Frank has an interest in treating the outpatient orthopedic population, with a particular interest in caring for endurance athletes. He has clinical experience in a variety of outpatient settings including the OSU Endurance Medicine program and the Cleveland Clinic. Frank enjoys running and cycling and has completed both the Columbus and Cleveland full marathons along with a variety of 5K, 10K, half marathon, and relay races over. Frank is originally from Northeast Ohio, but now lives in Hilliard and continues to be a fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland sports.
Amanda Coleman
Amanda obtained her Master's of Physical Therapy from the University of Delaware in 2002 and is board certified by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS). She is a lifelong learner and strives to utilize an evidence-based methodology to guide her sports medicine & orthopedic physical therapy treatments. In 2022, she completed a PPR Pickleball coaching course to enhance the rehabilitation and functional return of patients to pickleball. She has a passion for fitness including mountain biking, hiking, running, hip-hop dance, and weight training. For this reason, she understands the importance of helping patients achieve their own active lifestyle goals. On a personal note, she grew up in a military family and is a die-hard Nebraska Cornhusker fan.
Blake Preece
Blake earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy at the University of Toledo in 2021. He began his college education at Bowling Green State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Education in Exercise Science. During his undergraduate career, Blake competed in collegiate club sports, racing in cross country and track & field. Blake's personal experience with athletic injuries fueled his desire to become a P.T. to help future athletes during their own unique journeys through injury. Since the conclusion of his collegiate running career, Blake has moved up to the marathon distance, where he set a PR of 2:28 at the 2021 Columbus Marathon. When he is not running, Blake enjoys spending time with friends and family and being outdoors, hiking and kayaking.
Chelsea Hall
Chelsea received her Doctor of Physical Therapy from The Ohio State University. Prior to P.T. school, she went to the University of Kentucky and received her Bachelor of Science as well as competed in Cross Country and Track & Field. She focused on the 5k and 10k, earning All-American status and was an SEC champion twice. She has continued into marathon running, competing in the Columbus Marathon, Boston Marathon, and Chicago Marathon. She is dedicated to a life in motion and focuses her professional efforts toward getting her patients back in motion and to what they are passionate about. In addition, she is certified in dry needling. In her spare time, she enjoys running, biking, exploring the outdoors, cooking, and spending time with her husband and son.
Mary Hazlett
Mary Hazlett, PT, DPT, MBA graduated with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH in May 2023, following a Master’s in Business Administration in 2019. She played a variety of sports growing up including gymnastics, tennis, soccer, track and field, and cheerleading. Mary found CrossFit as a way to establish an active lifestyle and she has been a CrossFit coach since 2018. Mary has worked in the health and fitness industry since 2015 in various roles spanning personal training, group coaching, leading Zumba classes, coaching boot camps and CrossFit full time, to eventually becoming a physical therapist. In addition to CrossFit, you can find Mary spending time outdoors or with her two dogs, Copper and Luna.
Rebecca Youngs
Rebecca Youngs, MS, RD, LD is Fit For Life Physical Therapy’s Registered Dietitian. She is a native of Dublin, Ohio and graduated from The Ohio State University with her Bachelor of Science in Dietetics and Master of Science in Nutrition. She completed her dietetic residency at The Ohio State University working at the James Cancer Hospital, The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and with Ohio State athletics. Rebecca has an interest in nutrition for injury rehabilitation, endurance fueling, resolving GI distress, and teaching athletes how to eat for optimum speed and performance. She also works closely with athletes who have special dietary needs, allergies, and gastrointestinal sensitivities. An avid marathoner, Rebecca understands the needs of athletes and the many nutrition struggles that may arise throughout the year. Rebecca also managed nutrition plans for runners who qualified and ran in the 2020 United States Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta, GA as well as current athletes who have achieved the Olympic Trials Standard in the Marathon for 2024. Working in both clinical and sports nutrition, she is comfortable caring for athletes with underlying medical conditions. She looks forward to helping athletes learn how to simplify nutrition and apply it to each individual’s unique lifestyle, schedule, and goals.