how i got here - Carmen sturniolo
My career with human movement began before I realized it. While I was aware of my passion for it as a young athlete, it officially started in 2006 while my dad was in the ICU recovering from a stroke and an aortic dissection, the splitting of the largest artery that supplies blood to the rest of the body.
As a young athlete, I was able to listen to feedback from coaches, internalize it, manipulate it, and adapt it to better my swing, crow hop, pass, juke, catch, etc. at any given time. It’s a gift that my dad passed on to me.
When the doctors told us that Dad might not ever have full function of his left leg or be
able to walk again without assistance, I was determined to prove them otherwise. Just like you I’m sure, I knew my dad was a super hero and this wasn’t going to hold him down.
With knowledge from my sports endeavors, I knew that if an individual could mentally understand it, he/she could produce it.
Day in and day out, I worked with my dad to help trigger nervous system pathways to help regenerate touch, feel, and movement, otherwise known as neural transmission. Repetitively moving his leg through space, touching it, poking it, rubbing it, and applying manual resistance to it, all while he was mentally engaged. We attempted to create a firing response from within the nervous system. Weeks went by with no response.
Then one day it happened, he voluntarily was able to move his toes. Days later and after more work, he was able to lift his foot just slightly off the ground from a sitting position. This was followed by a somewhat standing position for a couple of seconds with support, to fully standing with support, to relearning the walking pattern between parallel bars, to a walker with ankle assistance. The Physical Therapist and Doctor were both impressed and did credit me with my ongoing help. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of my career.
My love for training stems from the activities I did with my dad at the gym, in the batting cage, on the golf course, on roofs, and everywhere in between prior to his aortic dissection. And my pride in and passion for training grew from being able to do so much with him as he worked toward recovery. The memory of my dad reminds me to treat every client the way I would treat him.
His rare condition planted too many questions in my head in which I’ll never have all the answers to, but I quickly started my research just after his death later in 2006.
Since 2008 I’ve earned many certifications through various credible sources enabling growth in my philosophy and knowledge for the human body. The certifications I hold are also held and used by some of the most credible coaches in the world.
Although I’d like to help as many people as possible, I can’t stand to work with those who really don’t care about their health and body overall.
Many of my past and present clients can tell you, I will go out of my way and make time for you and any questions you might have. The time spent with my dad during those weeks in the hospital reminds of why I enjoy working with clients on a personal level. I love helping people succeed.
Since beginning this career path, I’ve had the pleasure of working with and meeting some amazing people from all over the world. I’d like to think that my dad is happy knowing that he’s inspired me to live a life helping others.
My Dad’s love for sports, particularly golf, and life will forever remain on the 10th hole on the Penn State University golf course. Sponsored by his golf buddies and Ambitious Athletics.
Carmen Sturniolo
Owner of Ambitious Athletics
