Meet Carrie Lamb of Golden PT & Pilates

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carrie Lamb.

Hi Carrie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My story is pretty straightforward: I’ve always loved to move. As a kid, I was constantly active—playing all kinds of sports and exploring what my body could do. In high school and college, that love for movement started to evolve into a real curiosity about how the human body works.

At one point, I thought I might become a physician. But one of my advisors suggested I spend some time shadowing at a physical therapy clinic run by a friend of his. A few weeks of volunteering there, and I was hooked. That was my first real introduction to physical therapy—and it opened my eyes to a philosophy I’ve carried with me ever since: movement is medicine. I’ve never looked back.

I earned my Masters of Physical Therapy from the University of Colorado in 2000 and my Doctor of Physical Therapy from Regis University in 2012. I’ve had the privilege of working in a wide variety of settings—from small, family-owned outpatient practices to large corporate clinics, hospitals, and even a university setting. I’ve had opportunities to work with amazing teams of medical professionals and feel fortunate to have had the opportunities each setting provided. Early in my career as a PT, I discovered a few other passions: Pilates and CoreAlign®. These methods of working with the body opened a whole new world of understanding how deeply our bodies are connected and helped teach me how to better address specific issues I was seeing as a physical therapist.

Once I became certified in both, I immediately began incorporating those tools into my PT sessions—and the results were incredible. I knew I needed to keep going. Eventually, I became certified to train other teachers because I wanted more people to experience the power of this method.

About ten years ago, I began to feel a strong pull to open my own space—somewhere I could fully integrate Pilates-based rehabilitation with high-quality physical therapy and small group movement classes. Our family had finally settled back in Colorado, and it started to feel possible. I was working part-time at an outpatient clinic and renting space at a Pilates studio, slowly transitioning into a full-time Pilates-rehab practice.

Then COVID hit. Like many others, I had to pivot quickly—and the moment made it crystal clear: it was time. I found a space in Golden, and in 2020, CONNECT opened its doors. Since then, we’ve been proud to offer personalized, high-quality physical therapy—including trigger point dry needling, shockwave therapy, and Pilates-based rehab—along with small group Pilates and CoreAlign classes.

And now, we are stepping into our next chapter. As of April, we’re moving into a beautiful new location in the heart of Golden—and with that move comes a new name: Golden Physical Therapy and Pilates.

We can’t wait to continue sharing our love of movement with even more people in the West Denver community. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, looking to prevent one, or simply want to move and feel better—we’re here to help you stay strong, active, and doing what you love for years to come.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like any journey worth taking, mine hasn’t been without its challenges.

One of the biggest hurdles early on was figuring out how to blend two worlds—physical therapy and Pilates—in a way that truly honored both. While the two approaches complement each other beautifully, they come from different traditions, and not everyone immediately sees how powerful the combination can be. Educating clients (and even other professionals) about the benefits of Pilates-based rehabilitation took time, patience, and a lot of confidence in the results I was seeing in the studio every day.

Another challenge was time—specifically, not having enough of it. I was raising a family while working part-time in an outpatient clinic and part-time in a Pilates studio, slowly building my vision. Like many of my clients, I was juggling a lot, and at times, it felt like progress was barely inching forward. However, I believe that good things take time to build, and I’m grateful for every step of that slow but steady transition.

Then came the pandemic. COVID forced me out of the shared Pilates studio space and, in many ways, out of my comfort zone. But looking back, that disruption was a turning point. It pushed me to finally take the leap and open my own studio. That kind of pivot—especially in uncertain times—wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. It reminded me how resilient we can be when we stay connected to our purpose.

Most recently, growing the practice has brought its own learning curve. Building a business that delivers high-level care while honoring each client’s individuality—and doing it in a way that also supports my team and my family—requires constant balance. It’s a challenge, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

What’s kept me going through all of it is simple: I genuinely believe in what we do. I’ve seen how powerful it is when people are given the tools and guidance to move better, feel better, and live fully. That belief—and the incredible clients and community we serve—make every struggle more than worth it..

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Golden Pilates and Physical Therapy?
At Golden Pilates and Physical Therapy, we specialize in helping active Coloradans stay active—without pain holding them back. Whether it’s hiking, skiing, strength training, or just keeping up with kids and grandkids, our mission is to help you keep doing what you love, for as long as you want to do it.

We’re a boutique physical therapy and movement studio that blends the science of physical therapy with the mindful, body-aware approach of contemporary Pilates and CoreAlign®. Our offerings include one-on-one physical therapy, Pilates-based rehabilitation, trigger point dry needling, shockwave therapy, and small group movement classes—all under one roof. We’re even adding sports massage to our book of services!

What truly sets us apart is our personalized, results-driven care. Every session is tailored to the individual—we don’t use cookie-cutter programs or rush people through treatment. Your time with your physical therapist is your time – our providers don’t have multiple people they are managing and we don’t use aides or assistants to deliver your care. We respect your time and your goals, and we meet you with a highly individualized plan designed around how you want to live, move, and feel. Our Pilates team excel in their field – they are comprehensively certified in Pilates and are skilled in working with high-level athletes as well as our clients transitioning from Physical Therapy into Pilates. They are passionate about the power of the Pilates method to make meaningful change in how people live and move in their body.

Our clients tend to be busy, driven people who value their health and their time. Many of them are navigating injuries, recurring pain, or simply want to move better as they age. They’re already proactive about their wellness and are looking for a higher level of care—something deeper than a generic workout class or quick PT appointment. That’s where we come in.

From day one, our brand has been built around connection—hence our original name, CONNECT. We believe that true healing happens when clients feel heard, understood, and supported by a skilled team who’s as invested in their progress as they are. That philosophy is still at the heart of everything we do, even as we grow.

This year, we’re proud to be stepping into a new chapter with a new name—Golden Physical Therapy and Pilates—and a new location right in the heart of downtown Golden. While the name is changing, our commitment to high-quality, integrated care remains the same. We’re excited to serve even more of the West Denver community and continue helping people feel strong, confident, and fully capable in their bodies—at every stage of life.

What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is being able to fully show up for my life. That means spending quality time with my family, doing work I love, and helping people move through pain and get back to doing the things they enjoy.

I really believe that when we move better, we feel better—and when we feel better, we connect more deeply with the people around us. Whether it’s helping someone recover from an injury or showing them they can do something they didn’t think was possible, that ripple effect of movement and confidence spreads joy, connection, and compassion. That’s what drives me every day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.movementconnectsus.com
• Instagram: @connectphysical
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectpt