Our team
Christian Jorns
Physical Location - Portland, Maine
My journey into the world of movement and physical well-being began in the South Chicago Suburbs, where I explored a range of sports like football, volleyball, cross country, and track and field. It wasn't until I was 26 that I truly discovered the transformative power of strength training—a passion that has defined my path ever since.
Today, you'll often find me in the gym working on my lifts, honing my climbing skills here in Maine, or enjoying runs through our beautiful woods and waters with my dog, Bruiser. This lifelong engagement with diverse athletics and committed strength work has fueled my dedication to helping others. I've had the privilege of guiding thousands of athletes and active individuals, from all backgrounds, back to the activities they cherish most.
For me, a therapeutic relationship built on unwavering honesty, steadfast integrity, and mutual trust isn't just a nice-to-have; it's the bedrock of achieving successful outcomes and empowering you to reclaim your active life with confidence.
Eric Norman
Physical Location - Winona, Minnesota
My upbringing on a small farm in Princeton, Minnesota, was a natural immersion in varied sports and activities. Often, this involved my older brothers and me inventing our own games to stay entertained—an early grounding in creativity and resourcefulness that I believe strongly contributes to my approach as a clinician today.
My passion for sports continued through high school, where I played football, basketball, and baseball. These days, I stay active playing amateur baseball for my hometown team, enjoy the challenge of pickleball, and have recently been focusing more on my golf game. You’ll also often find me training and going on adventures throughout Minnesota with my dog, Willie. When I'm not engaged in these activities or patient care, I'm usually tackling home improvement projects or working towards achieving the most pristine lawn in the neighborhood! This diverse range of experiences helps me connect with and understand the varied pursuits of the people I work with.
Professional backgrounds
Christian
My academic journey began at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), where I majored in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a minor in Biological Anthropology. It was there, as an undergraduate researcher in the prestigious Neurocognitive Kinesiology Lab studying the effects of exercise on children's cognition, that my fascination with the human body's response to movement truly ignited.
Drawn to New England, I moved to Maine in 2013 to earn my Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from the University of New England. My first six years post-graduation at LiveVital Physical Therapy and Performance in Portland were formative. It was there I deeply embraced the power of integrating strength and conditioning principles into rehabilitation, shaping my approach to active recovery and performance.
To further specialize, I became a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) in 2019, a distinction recognizing advanced expertise and knowledge in orthopedic physical therapy. My clinical growth continued at InterMed in South Portland. The diverse patient population and opportunities for physician consultation there significantly advanced my clinical reasoning. I also find great fulfillment in mentoring DPT students, typically guiding 1-2 each year.
Throughout my career, I've cultivated a deep passion for the art and science of exercise programming. For over nine years, I’ve had the privilege of creating comprehensive, engaging, and highly effective programs for thousands of individuals—from high school athletes and working parents to Olympic-caliber talent—always tailoring the approach to their unique goals and needs. This blend of advanced clinical skill and performance-focused programming is what I bring to every client at Flexed Mettle.
Eric
My journey into understanding human movement and performance began after high school in central Minnesota, leading me south to Winona State University. There, I earned my Bachelor's in Kinesiology, complemented by double minors in Nutrition and Psychology – a combination that sparked my interest in the multifaceted nature of health. During my undergraduate years, I delved into research on topics ranging from time-restricted feeding and the gut-brain connection to the practical application of yoga for injury prevention with Division II athletes.
After graduating and becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA, I gained valuable hands-on experience as a strength coach at Princeton High School. This practical application of training principles fueled my desire to deepen my clinical knowledge, leading me to Maine in 2019 to attend the University of New England's Doctor of Physical Therapy program. While at UNE, I also enjoyed working as a personal trainer for faculty and students, further blending my passion for exercise with clinical learning.
Upon graduating with my DPT, I embraced an opportunity at Gundersen Health Systems in Winona, MN. It was rewarding to bring my skills back to the community that helped shape me and to further develop my clinical practice. My commitment to providing comprehensive care has driven me to pursue advanced certifications, including in Vestibular Therapy from the American Institute of Balance and Functional Dry Needling from Evidence in Motion.
Most recently, in 2024, I was incredibly proud to achieve Board Certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)—a significant professional milestone representing advanced expertise in orthopedic physical therapy. I firmly believe these diverse educational and clinical endeavors have shaped me into a more well-rounded clinician, capable of providing a higher standard of care. Now, at Flexed Mettle, I bring this integrated background to help you achieve your movement and performance goals.