Meet Our Training Experts

Physical therapists Jesse Schimmer and Craig Sounders are passionate about marathons and helping others meet their running goals

Jesse Schimmer, physical therapist

Jesse Schimmer focuses his physical therapy practice on orthopedics, specifically lower extremity disorders. A graduate of Arcadia University’s Physical Therapy program, Jesse has an intense interest in healing the musculoskeletal injuries of endurance athletes, particularly runners, cyclists and swimmers. Jesse is a runner and cyclist himself and believes endurance sports enhance the lives of everyone, from elite athlete to beginner. At home, Jesse is the father of a magical girl, Hailey Jae, and a husband to his beautiful wife, Janene.

Craig Souders, physical therapist

Craig has been a physical therapist for 10 years, working in the outpatient orthopedic setting. He specializes in the rehabilitation of spinal disorders and the treatment of injured athletes, particularly runners. Craig ran his first marathon in 2007 – the Philadelphia Marathon – in which he qualified for the Boston Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 52 minutes. However, an injury forced him to take four months off and forgo competing in Boston. He has competed in the Lehigh Valley Half Marathon a dozen times, and his relay team for the Lehigh Valley Health Network Marathon for Via plans to defend its third place title this year.

Craig attended Springfield College in Massachusetts, earning a master’s degree in physical therapy. While there, he ran cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field for four years. Born and raised in the Lehigh valley, he graduated from Emmaus High School, where he returned to coach cross country and track and field for 5 years. He is married to Dede, and has two children, Madeline and Lucas, who also are discovering a love of running.

This page last updated 4/24/09 02:15 PM