An excerpt from article, as published in the Spring 2013 issue of TrackSide magazine (tracknation.com). Link at bottom to continue.
TrackSide Magazine is proud to welcome Sean Pena as
a featured contributor to the TrackNation movement.
Pena is a renowned physiotherapist who works with
elite runners, as well as NFL players and other world-class athletes. Some of
his best known clients read like a Who’s Who in track and field - Justin
Gatlin, Shawn Crawford, Allyson Felix, Lolo Jones, Will Claye, Tyson Gay and
Brittany Reese are among those who have worked with Pena.
Ironically, Pena got into the physiotherapy field
from the patient end. While playing soccer as a student at the University of
Oregon, he suffered a shoulder injury. His uncle was an associate athletic
director for the Ducks, so Pena looked to the Oregon athletic facilities for
help with his rehabilitation.
Pena recalls, “The physio specialist there at the
time was Chris Wexstein. He was already working with Gatlin, Crawford and
Marion Jones. We became friends. Around 2002 or 2003, I went back to California
with him for the U.S. Nationals at Stanford and observed and worked with one of
the athletes. For two or three years, I worked as an understudy.”
In the aftermath of the BALCO doping scandal, which
ended up with several suspensions, Pena’s upward trajectory was put on hold.
That changed with a phone call in 2008...
To continue reading, please go to page 30 of TrackSide magazine, found at http://trackstar1.tracknation.com
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