Archives: Team members

Dr. Kristin Boylan is the Clinic Director at Florida Physio and a physical therapist who believes physical therapy should help people get back to the things that matter most to them.

An athlete her entire life, Kristin grew up playing a variety of sports before competing in volleyball and basketball at Cornell College, where she was an All-Conference athlete in both. Her experience as an athlete shaped the way she views movement, injury, and rehabilitation—and gave her an appreciation for what it means to want to get back to doing what you love.

Kristin earned her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Kinesiology and Psychology from Cornell College before earning her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from St. Ambrose University in 2012. She began her career in outpatient orthopedics outside of Chicago before relocating to Florida in 2016, where she has continued to work with a wide range of orthopedic and sports medicine patients.

Kristin enjoys working with everyone from competitive athletes to parents and grandparents who simply want to keep up with their kids or grandkids. Her clinical interests include general orthopedics and sports medicine, with a whole-body approach to understanding how someone moves and what may be keeping them from doing what they love.

She joined Florida Physio because she wanted to work alongside like-minded physical therapists who challenge each other, push their patients, and believe in helping people become the best versions of themselves.

At the center of Kristin’s approach is the belief that the patient is the expert on their own body and their own goals. Her role is to combine her clinical knowledge and experience with the patient’s understanding of their body to create a plan that is individualized to them—not simply their diagnosis. Education is a key part of that process. Kristin takes the time to help patients understand what is happening in their body, why they may be experiencing pain or limitations, and what they can do to manage it. Her goal is not only to help people feel better, but to give them the knowledge, confidence, and tools to take ownership of their health and continue managing their bodies long after they leave the clinic.

Outside of the clinic, Kristin enjoys spending time with her husband, Chris, their twin daughters, Brynnleigh and Gracyn, and their Goldendoodle, Kinnick. She loves trying new local restaurants, spending time with family and friends, and, thanks to two little princesses, making frequent trips to Disney.

Kelly earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2022 from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. She graduated from the University of Tampa in 2018 and received a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Physical Therapy. Kelly played for the UT Women’s Club Soccer team, worked as an intramural sports referee, and served as a Weight Room Supervisor at the campus fitness center. During college and prior to starting her doctoral program, Kelly interned at a sports performance and rehabilitation clinic where she treated NFL veterans and NFL Combine athletes.

Throughout her career, Kelly has continued to work with active individuals of all skill levels, from beginners to professional athletes. She enjoys helping patients overcome pain, recover from injury, and build the strength and confidence needed to return to the sports and activities they love.

Kelly’s passion for providing personalized, high-quality care led her to join Florida Physio. She believes that building strong patient relationships through trust, communication, and genuine rapport is essential to creating a positive experience and achieving the best possible outcomes.

Outside of the clinic, Kelly enjoys the beach, spending time with friends, dog sitting, and pilates. She’s also an avid sports fan who enjoys watching NFL games, cheering on the South Carolina Gamecocks, and supporting the Tampa Bay teams, especially the Lightning.

Kelly believes that physical therapy shouldn’t just bring you back to baseline; it should help you build a foundation to continue moving better, gaining strength, reaching new goals, and staying out of pain.

Alex is a physical therapist who specializes in helping active adults and athletes move better, get stronger, and return to the activities and sports that matter most to them.

A former college quarterback at the University of Florida, Alex has spent much of his life around sports, training, and performance. His athletic background, along with his continued interests in strength training, running, and golf, shapes the way he approaches physical therapy. He especially enjoys working with people who don’t simply want to get out of pain—they want to feel capable, confident, and prepared to keep doing the things they love.

Alex believes physical therapy should do more than treat an injury. His approach blends rehabilitation with strength and conditioning to help people better understand their bodies and prepare for the demands of sport, training, work, and everyday life. He uses objective testing and progressive exercise to guide the process from injury back to performance.

Alex joined Florida Physio because it gave him the opportunity to practice physical therapy the way he believes it should be practiced—with individualized care, meaningful time with each person, and a focus that extends beyond symptom relief. He was drawn to an environment where he could listen closely to what matters to each patient and integrate rehabilitation, strength, and performance into their care.

Alex earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of South Florida and is a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and Titleist Performance Institute Medical Level 2 certified provider. His clinical interests include orthopaedic and sports rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, return-to-sport training, and golf performance.

Outside of the clinic, Alex enjoys golfing, running, weightlifting, and spending time with his fiancée, family, and friends.

Alex believes good physical therapy starts with listening. Every person comes in with a different history, different goals, and a different starting point, and their care should reflect that.

His guiding belief is simple: “Meet people where they are, understand where they want to go, and give them the tools and confidence to get there.”

Lauren is passionate about helping active adults of all ages overcome pain, improve their function, and return to the activities they love. With a background in volleyball, basketball, and track, Lauren has always appreciated the role movement and physical activity play in living a healthy, fulfilling life.

During the first six years of her career, Lauren traveled throughout the country, treating a diverse patient population across various clinical settings. These experiences broadened her clinical perspective, fueled her love for travel, and helped shape the kind of clinician she wanted to become. She developed a strong appreciation for individualized care and recognized the importance of having the time and resources to truly understand each patient’s needs rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

Lauren was drawn to Florida Physio’s model because it allows her to prioritize individualized, hands-on care while continuing to grow and develop as a clinician. She believes physical therapy should go beyond managing symptoms to address the underlying causes of pain and empower patients to take an active role in their recovery. She is especially passionate about the power of exercise and movement to improve both physical and mental well-being.

Lauren earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Outside of the clinic, Lauren enjoys traveling, hiking, working out, spending time by the water and visiting her family back in Wisconsin.

Lauren believes that pain is not something you simply have to learn to live with. Our bodies are not fragile; they are incredibly resilient. Through movement, exercise, and individualized care, Lauren strives to help every patient build confidence in their body and get back to doing what they love.

Leighton Peavler is the founder of Florida Physio and a physical therapist who has spent his career helping active people stay active.

A former Division I golfer at Southern Illinois University, Leighton’s own experience as an athlete shaped how he approaches physical therapy. He believes people shouldn’t have to choose between getting older and continuing to do the things they love.

That belief became the foundation of Florida Physio, and his team has built on it through the idea of the Forever Athlete.

He founded the practice in 2017 to create a different kind of healthcare experience, one built on relationships, one-on-one care, and understanding the person behind the injury. What started as a single physical therapy practice has grown into a team of clinicians focused on helping people move better, perform better, and stay connected to the activities that make them who they are.

Leighton is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist, and a Titleist Performance Institute certified provider. His clinical background spans orthopedic rehabilitation, sports medicine, golf performance, and work with athletes at every stage of life.

Today his role extends beyond the treatment room. He leads Florida Physio and Studio Golf Club, bringing together healthcare, performance, fitness, and golf.

For Leighton, it all comes back to one idea: You don’t stop being an athlete because you get older. The game may change, but the athlete never leaves.

Donald is a physical therapist who specializes in helping active individuals and athletes overcome pain, improve performance, and continue doing the activities that matter most to them.

With a background in exercise science and a lifelong interest in sports and performance, Don was drawn to physical therapy because it combines movement, problem-solving, and the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with the people he works with. He particularly enjoys working with golfers and athletes across a variety of sports who aren’t simply looking to feel better, but want to continue performing at a high level for years to come.

Don believes physical therapy should go beyond treating where something hurts. His approach focuses on understanding how each person moves, identifying the factors contributing to their limitations, and combining hands-on treatment with exercise and education to improve their overall capacity and confidence in movement.

Don earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Florida before completing his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at the University of North Florida. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) certified. He also has advanced training in dry needling and sports and orthopedic rehabilitation. His clinical interests include golf rehabilitation and performance, orthopedic injuries, mobility and strength development, and helping athletes safely return to the activities they love.

Since joining Florida Physio, Don has had the opportunity to work with athletes across a wide range of ages and ability levels, from recreational golfers and active adults to junior, collegiate, and professional athletes. He was drawn to Florida Physio’s one-on-one model because it allows him to spend meaningful time with each person, understand their individual goals, and provide care that extends beyond simply treating an injury.

Outside of the clinic, Don enjoys playing golf and basketball, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. His own interest in sports and performance continues to shape the way he thinks about movement, longevity, and what it means to remain an athlete throughout life.

His philosophy is simple: the goal isn’t just to get you out of pain. It’s to help you build a body that allows you to keep doing what you love.

Paige Matthews is a physical therapist and Operations Director at Florida Physio who works with athletes and active adults who want to stay active, return to the activities they love, and reach their performance goals.

A former Division I tennis player at Elon University, Paige’s passion for physical therapy grew from her own experiences as an athlete. Beginning with an ankle injury in high school and continuing through multiple injuries—including back pain, shin splints, shoulder pain, and multiple herniated discs—she experienced firsthand how an injury can affect both performance and everyday life. Those experiences shaped her belief that physical therapy should be as much about education and empowerment as treatment.

Paige believes people should understand what is happening in their bodies, why they may be experiencing pain, and what they can do to influence how they feel and move. Her goal is to give each client the knowledge, confidence, and tools to take control of their recovery.

She earned her BS in Exercise Science from Elon University and her Doctor of Physical Therapy from UNC–Chapel Hill. She completed a sports physical therapy residency in 2016 and is certified in dry needling. Her experience includes working in professional tennis with the WTA and continuing to work with the USTA at professional tennis events.

Clinically, Paige enjoys treating sports-related shoulder, spine, and elbow conditions, particularly in tennis, pickleball, baseball, and strength athletes. She incorporates manual therapy, dry needling, sport performance, and return-to-sport rehabilitation into her care.

Paige joined Florida Physio because she believes in its one-on-one approach and its commitment to the forever athlete. Outside the clinic, she enjoys time with her husband and daughter, traveling, spending time at the beach, working out, and playing pickleball.

Paige believes everyone has an athlete in them. That athlete may be competing at the highest level of a sport, chasing a personal fitness goal, or simply trying to be the best parent or grandparent they can be. No matter the goal, Paige brings the same mindset to every client: your goals become my goals. She is fully invested in helping you understand your body, build confidence in what it can do, and get back to what you love.