Chris has been with Project Walk since 2004.  Starting as an assistant and then becoming a CSRS. He graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in kinesiology emphasis in pre-physical therapy. He is a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the NSCA. He also has prior experience with adaptive exercise for special populations. Chris continues to help Project Walk grow into the one of the best SCI recovery centers in the world.

CSRS Level II obtained: September 2008

Kimberly has been with Project Walk since 2005, when she began an Apprenticeship as she earned her Bachelor's of Science in Kinesiology from San Diego State University.  Now a Traveling Instructor, she has created several dozen personalized Home Programs for clients with all levels of Spinal Cord Injury.  Additionally, she has performed several Train Your Trainer and Train Your Therapist programs, educating therapists from all over the world including Japan, Australia, and England.  With an original background in coaching youth soccer, as well as having played at the college level, she appreciates and encourages a hard work ethic, and is dedicated to the recovery and cure of Spinal Cord Injury.  Kimberly feels honored and extremely privileged to have been able to work with the wonderful staff and clients at Project Walk for so many years, and looks forward to continuing to help her clients reach all of their goals.

CSRS Level I obtained: June 2007

Michelle graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Kinesiology with emphasis in Fitness, Nutrition, and Health.  She is certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a Personal Trainer.  She has experience working in the health/fitness industry and continues personal training for people of various fitness levels.  In addition, she has previous adaptive fitness experience working with special population groups such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and stroke recovery patients.

CSRS Level I obtained: February 2008

Margarita graduated from the Lithuanian Institute of Physical Education in Kaunas, Lithuania with a BS in Kinesiotherapy.  She then completed her internship and worked at Palanga Rehabilitation Hospital in Lithuania and joined the Project Walk team in October 2003.

CSRS Level II obtained: September 2008

Bri received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Biology from Scripps College in 2002. She completed an internship and training certification program at ADAPT, formerly known as Function Dynamics. After working with a variety of clients at Function Dynamics, ranging from injury rehabilitation, chronic pain reduction and high-end athletic training she found her passion in SCI. In 2005 Bri relocated to Carlsbad to work at Project Walk. Since then Bri has completed both her Level I and II certifications and has been training and instructing clients, family members, personal trainers and Physical Therapist about Project Walk's training program. In April of 2008 she traveled to Australia to help continue education for Walk On staff.

CSRS Level II obtained: September 2008

Eric Harness, CSRS III, CSCS
Co-Founder
Director of Research and Development

Eric graduated from San Diego State University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Athletic Training and a Minor in Psychology. He then received a post-graduate certification as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. In 1998, he met Ted and started training high school, college, and Olympic athletes in Ted’s facility. Six months later Ted began seeing Mike Thomas, his first SCI client. Eric watched as Mike began to progress and became intrigued; people with spinal cord injuries were not supposed to be able to gain function below the level of injury. He began assisting Ted and learning what he was doing with Mike. Project Walk®had begun…

Eric is now the Director of Research, Training, and Development for Project Walk®and a Certified SCI Recovery Specialist. In the past 9 years, he has developed many of the exercise techniques used with our clients, was responsible for developing the Home Program, and he designed a new evaluation scale (Developmental Activity Scale™ or DAS). He also designed the strength testing device used in Project Walk’s collaboration with the University of California Irvine.

CSRS Level III obtained: May 2008

Lisa Rivera, CSRS

Lisa is a graduate of San Diego State University with a B.S. in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Fitness, Nutrition and Health.  She is certified as a Fitness Specialist through Mesa College and is an A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer.  She has been training for ten years and has experience with a variety of populations including senior fitness, group cycling and marathon coaching.  Lisa joined Project Walk in 2007 and finds it to be a privilege to work with our clients.  In 2008, she moved to the front office for half of her day to educate and schedule perspective clients.  Outside of work, you will find Lisa outdoors, running trails, mountain bike riding, and Outrigger Paddling.

CSRS Level I obtained: May 2008

Jason Smith, CSRS, CSCS
Floor Supervisor

Jason graduated from California State University of Long Beach with a degree in Kinesiology. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.  He was a personal trainer for many years, but found himself wanting more out of a career in the fitness industry. That desire led him to Project Walk.  He considers himself very fortunate to be a part of this amazing place and wonderful people.

CSRS Level I obtained: March 2008

Jillienne moved back to Carlsbad after attending Loyola Marymount University where she graduated with a B.S. in Natural Science with an emphasis in Kinesiology and Physical Therapy.  While attending school in L.A. she added two more years of student athletic training to her previous four from high school and completed an internship with the Sports Medicine Institute of Los Angeles.  Jillienne has been a part of the Project Walk team since 2007 and loves that that she gets the chance to incorporate her athletic training background into her training and that there is something new to learn every day.  She feels truly blessed to be a part of something that is changing the way the world looks at spinal cord injuries and making a difference every day.

CSRS Level I obtained: October 2008

Joey relocated to the San Diego area from Iowa where he was born and raised.  He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Exercise Science.  He has several years of personal training experience and looks forward to working hard for his client's goals everyday.

CSRS Level I obtained: June 2008

Kirk is originally from England, where he graduated from Coventry University with a BSc (Hons) Sport Science degree. He is currently certified with the NSCA as a Personal Trainer and has two years experience as a Personal Trainer and as a Sports Coach working with various fitness levels and ages. He enjoys general fitness training, soccer and getting the most out of his clients everyday.

CSRS Level I obtained: May 2008

Roya is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton with a B.S. Degree in Kinesiology, and emphasis in Fitness and Health Promotion.  She worked in Physical Therapy and Personal Training in Orange County before moving to San Diego. She wants to use her knowledge and experience to help as many people as possible through Project Walk.

CSRS Level I obtained: August 2009

Kathy
Scheduling Coordinator

In September 2008 Kathy joined Project Walk® as Front Office Coordinator. She manages the client schedules, program inquiries, and monthly billing. Kathy is originally from Michigan and relocated to the San Diego area in 2005.  She is happy to be part of such a wonderful program.