Patient Testimonials

Adam Grafa is a fantastic personal trainer. He develops workouts tailored to my goals, and his specific coaching helps me make the most of my workout. It’s always a pleasure to workout with Adam and the other group participants.

I am a 73 year-old, active female who loves to snow ski, hike, wake surf, dance, and walk. Two years ago, I had a skiing accident out west that resulted in a horrific ankle sprain, but much to the surprise of my orthopedic care givers, there was no blown out knee and no broken leg. Thank god for my strong bones. I wore a boot during healing, but the docs didn’t prescribe physical therapy (PT), explaining that “most people don’t do it anyhow.” Then last year I had another skiing accident, where I was bucked off a ski lift at a local Minnesota hill, resulting in a severe hip contusion, but again, no broken bones. This time, I was prescribed PT, and I asked that they include my ankle in the RX for my hip. The first thing that saved me was meeting Beth Pesta, DPT. She and her team helped me recover from my hip injury and helped strengthen my ankle. The workouts were great at the clinic, and they gave me a detailed program for at home. As I completed PT, Beth recommended trainer Laurey Heinrich, CPT. I signed up and began training with Laurey last June. I was afraid that when she saw me, all that she would see was an overweight grey-haired old grandma, but it wasn’t long before she realized the activities I wanted to continue to do for years to come, and she started pushing me to gain strength. I have seen Laurey twice a week since June, and the results are showing! She has worked my entire body including flexibility and balance, and has made me stronger all over. In early August, I finally attempted to wake surf. I was unsure that I’d be able to get up, but I POPPED out of the water and enjoyed several great rides before the season was over. I continued to train to hike, starting with a mile, but eventually going for longer and longer hikes. And then ski season loomed. I had no interest in skiing until the ground was at least covered, and man made snow isn’t the best, but when I did start, I skied with more strength and vigor than I had even before my injuries. I was strong. I was more flexible than I had been, and my joints didn’t hurt. This PT and particularly the strength training has given me more years of being active, just how I’d always planned and hoped to age.

Adam Grafa is a true professional. I feel confident that I am getting a well rounded workout, and within a few short months I can already see results. This is my first time consistently working out in 35 years. I feel great. I recommend Adam implicitly.

I had another great workout with Adam Grafa. I enjoy training with him because he truly cares and understands my goals. He is always prepared for our twice-weekly sessions, mixes the workouts up with unique strength training exercises, and he’s a great guy all around.

I have been a patient at TCO for several years for various surgeries and injuries. Dr. Jason Holm, Dr. Michael Johnson, Dr. Aaron Bloom, and Jason Ash, PA-C, have all been kind, competent, and thorough. Aaron Solseth, MPT, has helped me rehab following several surgeries and injuries and has also been very knowledgeable, thorough, and competent in providing care and guidance. I am very appreciative.

I would like to thank and acknowledge, Alicia Barnick, CPT, who leads the Back to Basics class. She is always positive and encouraging and gets us to exercise to the best of our abilities, always being cognizant of any restrictions or deficiencies we might have. I always feel like I get a great workout and have fun while doing it. I have been attending this class for a few years and sincerely believe that Alicia has kept me performing at my best following back and shoulder surgeries. I plan to continue attending this class for a long time. Thank you, Alicia and TCO! The entire staff is friendly, helpful, and courteous.

I met Alicia Barnick, CPT in mid-November of 2020. I was scheduled to have knee replacement surgery in February of 2021. I wanted to get stronger before that surgery and took advantage of TCO having a Personal Trainer. Alicia and I hit it off right away. She was very caring and concerned with my physical needs as she helped prepare me for surgery. Since 2020, I have continued working with Alicia through her Pilates sessions. She is always attune to what I need whether it be strengthening or stretching my muscles. She challenges me but is also very attentive to my physical setbacks which include low back pain and my right hip before and after hip replacement surgery in 2022.

I have had many physical highs and lows, and Alicia was always there supporting my efforts. Alicia is a great asset to TCO. I hope that she is appreciated for her commitment to her clients and her hard work for TCO. Alicia is one of the biggest reasons why I have had such long lasting physical strength and stability.

I’ve been a patient with TCO since 2015, following four knee replacements. Suffice it to say, I’ve fared less than I expected. Hence the need to come back for additional physical therapy with Deb “the magnificent”, who has been my trusted physical therapist. After my due diligence with Deb, she suggested I visit with Alicia to see if the Back to Basics classes would be a good next step for my knee recovery.

Alicia Barnick is an amazing instructor. She is filled with knowledge, unlimited compassion, and a willingness to listen and find solutions to issues I may experience week to week. I love her classes and look forward to a great workout and the positive environment that Alicia has created for our class. I’ve met some incredible new friends and feel grateful that I get to see Alicia’s smiling face every Monday and Thursday. I cannot express my gratitude enough as I continue to gain strength, confidence, and flexibility. I hold out hope for no knee pain by regular participation in Back to Basics. I tell anyone and everyone about the wonderful benefits I’ve experienced in her classes. I would highly recommend this class to anyone who desires better strength, agility, confidence and movement.

I met Adam Grafa through my fabulous wife Jennifer, who was training for a higher level in Krav Maga, (a very physically active, defensive type “martial art”). After explaining my injuries, current condition, and desires, Adam started me on a custom stretching and exercise regimen. At the end of my first hour with Adam, literally, all of the pain in my upper body disappeared. That was 21 weeks ago, and the pain has not returned. We are working on my lower half where most of the injuries have occurred.

The next huge milestone was my ability to stand up straight, which apparently I was unable to do for more than 20 years. That occurred at the end of my 4th week of training with Adam. Bear in mind, I am dealing with injuries to the right side of my body from my shoulder to my ankle that have occurred and persisted over 35 years. My goal is to get as close to 100% as possible. With Adam’s outstanding coaching and guidance, and his tremendous ability to match exercises and stretches to the needs of the day, I am confident I will reach a level of fitness that may not be 100%, but will be far higher than I could reach alone. Adam is truly a Master at what he does and I very highly commend and recommend him. He is clearly one of the best. TCO should be very proud to have Adam Grafa onboard.

Thank you, Adam! I had much less pain all day yesterday and woke up like I used to one month ago. My nerves do remind me of my stenosis, but my quality of life is so much better. My spirit is up and I’m busy doing normal life things, not moping with pain. Your tricks are working! I’m so glad you care and are thoughtful. I’m thankful for you.

With Adam Grafa’s help, I passed the P3 Krav Maga test at age 58. It took 3.5 hours and I definitely could not have done it without him! I’m stronger and healthier now than I have been in decades. Thank you, Adam!