Rising Stars: Meet Juliana Merighi of Golden

Today we’d like to introduce you to Juliana Merighi.

Hi Juliana, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
While in Physical Therapy School at the University of Miami, I had a clinical rotation in Colorado. I figured it would be nice to live near the mountains for a short time, as I had always believed I would spend my life near the water, doing water activities.

During my last two weeks in Colorado, a patient of mine took me climbing, and I instantly fell in love with the sport. When I returned to Florida, I joined a climbing gym and went every day until I graduated. As soon as I finished school, I moved back to Colorado.

I loved the climbing community—they made me feel welcomed and were genuinely stoked about my climbing, even though they were significantly better than I was. I also loved how climbing made me feel; it was like dancing with the rock.

As I continued climbing and studying physical therapy, I knew I wanted to work with rock climbers. After graduating, I took immediate action to make that a reality, furthering my education so I could properly rehab and train climbers. I obtained my Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialty and my Orthopedic Clinical Specialty. I also took too many to count continuing education courses on rehabbing climbers. At the same time, I pursued certification in pelvic floor rehabilitation and started working with this population.

Now, I’ve combined both of these specialties, working with climbers who are pregnant or postpartum and want to continue climbing or return to it postpartum. I run my own business, Flow State Physical Therapy, where I believe that no injury should prevent climbers from entering the state of flow. I work with both orthopedic and pelvic floor populations, focusing primarily on climbers who want to stay strong and recover from injuries. I also utilize my CSCS through writing training program for climbers to help them accomplish their goals.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Is it ever a smooth road? When I want something, I want it now! Building Flow State Physical Therapy has taught me the importance of patience and the power of growing slowly.

Before I could specialize in treating climbers, I first had to master being a physical therapist. That meant putting in the reps—gaining experience, continuing my education, and refining my skills. I struggled with providing the level of care I wanted for my patients while working within the constraints of the healthcare system and traditional physical therapy clinics, where you’re often expected to see more than 40 patients a week. I dealt with burnout and had a hard time finding a job that aligned with my values.

It also took time to build trust with local climbing gyms in Denver and earn the confidence of a community that deeply values their bodies and their ability to keep climbing.

The road continues… I’m still growing and constantly reminding myself that building a business takes time. Progress isn’t instant, but every step forward brings me closer to where I want Flow State Physical Therapy to be.

But my goodness, has all of the struggles been worth it!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Whether I’m working with climbers or pregnant climbers, I love what Flow State Physical Therapy has to offer. I’ve learned that people want to feel supported—they want confidence in their rehab journey and the reassurance that if something comes up (as it often does), they’ll have the guidance they need to adjust and keep progressing.

One of the key services I offer is a hybrid model that combines both in-person and virtual support. Clients can see me in person for an assessment, a clear rehab plan, and hands-on treatment to help relieve pain. From there, they receive two months of virtual care through an app on their phone. This includes a progressive rehab and strength training program tailored to their climbing needs, along with climbing-specific drills to complement the strength training.

What really sets this model apart is the ongoing support. Clients can message me directly through the app, send videos of their lifts or climbs, and receive immediate feedback. They also can receive any modifications to their plan based off how they are feeling. This structure ensures they feel guided every step of the way, making rehab and training more effective and empowering.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I have a morning ritual that I absolutely love, and it really helps ground me and set me up for success in my day. I wake up and start with 10 minutes of yoga, then I make my coffee and get snuggled on the couch to read a little from a book. I feel so productive in the mornings, and I also use this time to catch up on emails. As the days get longer and the weather warms up, I plan to add jump roping outside to my routine. It’s a small ritual, but it’s one that really helps me feel centered and ready for whatever the day brings!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.flowstateclimbing.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.juliana_merighi/profilecard/?igsh=MW1pYzZqYTkwb29nOA==
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@julianamerighi4448?si=5MLB0S7EhPgeRMDI