Meet The Team
Dr. AJ Cohen, PT, DPT
AJ Cohen founded Up and Running Physical Therapy to pursue his passion of helping people see what they’re truly capable of; whether coming back from an injury that they thought they’d have forever, or running a personal best marathon. Originally from Manorville, New York, AJ graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Sacred Heart University.
AJ trained in a variety of clinical settings including Orthopedic Outpatient, Acute Oncology, and Skilled Nursing and passed his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist exam. AJ is also certified in Functional Dry Needling II.
As an ultra-marathoner and rock climber, he has an affinity for working with athletes and active-adults, helping them in their various sports. AJ’s doctoral studies emphasized the importance of manual therapy, in conjunction with specific exercise, to maximize the benefits of therapeutic techniques to improve function, pain, and performance.
Some of AJ's Running Accomplishments
- Run the Ranch 12hr - 1st OA and CR
- Run Rabbit Run 100 - Under 30hrs
- Never Summer 100k - 4-finishes
- Never Summer 60k - 10th overall
- Silverton Alpine 50k - 3rd overall
- Hogs Hunt 50k - 7th overall
- Various Trail and Road Races from 50M to 5k
Dr. Joey Przybyla, PT, DPT
Joey is a licensed physical therapist who earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Texas State University. Originally from Michigan, he moved to Texas in 2011 where he spent his time learning and growing as a physical therapist.
He moved to Colorado in May 2022 and will call Fort Collins home. Joey has 8 years of experience in orthopedic, post operative and sports related rehabilitation. He brings additional perspective as an avid runner and was even able to reach the status of a competitive local-elite athlete. With the love of distance running and a personal record half marathon time of 70 minutes, Joey lives to help others reach their physical goals.
Specifically, he utilizes manual therapy, Functional Dry Needling and emphasizes the use of exercise to allow patients to get back to the activities they are passionate about! Outside of the clinic, you can catch Joey exploring all the nearby trails with his wife Kelsie and two sons, Luka and Lane.
Some of Joey's Running Accomplishments
- Blue Sky Half-Marathon - 3rd OA
- Half-Marathon PR: 1:10
- Never Summer 60k finisher
Conner Weeth, PT, DPT
Conner earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Biomedical Sciences from Colorado State University, followed by his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Regis University in Denver.
As a powerlifter, Conner has a passion for helping barbell athletes and has had the opportunity to work with national-level powerlifters and Olympic weightlifters. With his passion for lifting, Conner helps others continue their training while rehabbing injuries with an exercise-based approach.
Conner has been the head powerlifting coach at Denver Barbell Club since 2022, and will remain a remote coach going forward. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking new recipes and playing board games with his fiancé whenever possible.
Some of Conner's Powerlifting Accomplishments
- 3rd in 2024 Colorado State Championship 90kg class
- Best Squat: 205kg/452lbs
- Best Bench: 157.5kg/348lbs
- Best Deadlift: 255kg/562lbs
- Best total: 617.5kg/ 1,358.5lbs
Dr. Chandler Lockwood, PT, DPT
Chandler earned his Bachelor of Science degrees in Sports Medicine and Psychology
from Colorado State University in 2018, and later completed his Doctorate of Physical
Therapy at the University of Central Florida. Originally from Colorado, Chandler and his wife always knew they wanted to return to Fort Collins to start their careers and put down roots.
Growing up, Chandler was always involved in sports—playing basketball, football,
volleyball, and more. His passion for helping others improve their performance is what led him to become a Physical Therapist. Before going to PT school, Chandler worked as a Sports Performance Coach at Tampa Sports Academy, helping athletes reach their
performance goals.
As a Physical Therapist, Chandler focuses on treating musculoskeletal and orthopedic
conditions, helping patients recover, improve function, and reach their goals. Whether it’s getting back to daily activities or performing at a higher level, Chandler is dedicated to supporting his patients every step of the way.
Outside of work, Chandler enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing sports, hiking, and taking in all the beauty that Colorado has to offer.
Dr. Matthew Fothergill, PT, DPT
Matt has been involved in healthcare and coaching for nearly his entire life—and professionally since 2008. His passion for helping others was sparked as a teen through volunteer coaching with the Special Olympics and several adaptive sports organizations in New England.
Over the years, Matt has coached football and baseball, lectured for high school and college athletic departments as a performance coach and return-to-sport specialist, and worked with amateur and professional athletes across a wide range of sports—from hockey and basketball to Broadway dance and skiing.
He’s taught yoga, Pilates, and other group fitness classes since his teenage years, and enjoys blending the art and science of rehab and performance to help people move and feel their best.
After high school, pursuing physical therapy was a natural next step. Matt earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Rehabilitation Science, followed by his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Northeastern University in Boston, MA, where he also completed additional coursework in vestibular rehabilitation.
Matt feels extremely fortunate to have trained and practiced across the full spectrum of health, rehab, fitness, and wellness. His experience includes working in specialized orthopedic hospitals with post-op professional athletes, as well as inpatient and outpatient settings with youth, adults, and older adults managing chronic diseases, acute injuries, and illness. He has also provided home health care.
He’s practiced in a variety of locations—including Massachusetts, New York City, South Florida, Hawaii, and both metro and rural Pennsylvania.
Matt firmly believes that everyone going through an injury, training for something, or just navigating life deserves the same quality of care and attention given to professional athletes. You don’t have to be competing to benefit from high-level care.
He utilizes hands-on techniques, exercise, play, and—most importantly—clear communication to earn your trust and support you in whatever it is you want to do with your body.
Outside of work, Matt loves spending time with his wife, son, dog, and extended family. You’ll often find him watching movies, going to a game, or hiking a new trail. He’s also passionate about learning new cultures through travel, cooking, music, and dance.
- Finished the Honolulu Marathon, multiple 5Ks, and a Tough Mudder on a mountain in Vermont
- Captained successful football and baseball teams in high school
- Coached athletes of all levels—as well as parents and non-athletes—through injuries and setbacks to safely return to fulfilling activities
- Built and maintained a healthy, lifelong relationship with movement, play, and exercise
Kari Cohen - Practice Administrator
Kari keeps Up and Running humming behind the scenes, handling payroll, ordering, and all the little details that keep the clinic running smoothly, while also being AJ’s go-to sounding board for big-picture decisions. She loves being part of a local practice full of kind, hard-working people who genuinely care about their patients, and it’s especially rewarding to watch AJ’s vision grow, from starting the business in their basement to now running a 3,300-square-foot facility. After ten years as an ER nurse, Kari stepped away from full-time work to support AJ and their family, which has given her the flexibility to help the business grow while being present with their kids. Around the clinic, she’s known for keeping things organized, solving problems as they come, and making sure the day-to-day runs smoothly. Outside of work, she loves gardening, traveling, mountain biking, and exploring local hikes like the Bay to Bay trail in Fort Collins with AJ and their two little ones.
Eleny Perez - Client Care Specialist
Originally from Montrose, CO, Eleny moved to Fort Collins seven years ago to attend Colorado State University, where she earned her degree in Health and Exercise Science with a concentration in Sports Medicine. She then became a personal trainer and a coach at Orangetheory Fitness, dedicating the last three years to helping others grow stronger and more confident in their fitness journey. Eleny is passionate about creating a welcoming workout environment and pushing others to be their best selves.
Outside of the gym, Eleny loves staying active—whether it’s strength training, running, hiking, paddleboarding at Horsetooth Lake, or grabbing food with friends on a patio. She’s also a big movie buff and prefers the full theater experience over watching at home.
Chris Fleming - Client Care Specialist
Chris grew up in southeastern North Carolina, where he spent his days playing competitive soccer, backpacking, and camping with his fellow Boy Scouts. His love for staying active led him to earn a B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Chris is passionate about helping people connect with movement and plans to pursue a career in physical therapy to inspire others to explore their potential.
Since moving to Fort Collins to soak up everything the Colorado outdoors has to offer, Chris spends his weekends cycling, running, and hiking through the foothills. A die-hard soccer fan, he still follows the English Premier League closely, cheering on the Red Devils after playing club-level soccer until he was 18.
Interested In Joining The Team?
Please email AJ at aj@upandrunningpt.com with a resume and cover letter. Or check out our open career opportunities here.