"People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care."

– Theodore Roosevelt

Who We Are

We are a female-led group of clinicians committed to changing the game for athletes, humans and informed movement professionals everywhere.

We provide high quality, cutting-edge foot education in a format that breaks through barriers to complex scientific information. We ensure that all of our content is accurate, in line with the latest scientific evidence, AND fun and accessible!
Dr. Jenifer Perez, DC and Dr. Courtney Conley, DC
Gait Happens Team Photo
We’re a small but passionate company out to change the world one human sole at a time.

We’re brave enough to speak out against the rigid, dated standard of foot care, and passionate enough to ensure we see every individual in front of us as unique. We live by the motto that every case, every person, every answer is different. And we fully believe that any pro who wants to truly help people heal needs to do the same.
Dr. Jennifer Perez performing foot analysis

What We Do

We treat the body as a whole functioning system through the lens of foot and gait mechanics.

We teach online courses and programs that help athletes and all human soles step beyond pain into efficient, effective movement they can enjoy.

We train pros and practitioners (online and in-person) to use our tools, assessments and strategies so more people can benefit from this work.

We use a combination of movement assessments, biomechanical analysis, gait analysis, corrective strategies and a range of tools like toe spacers, proper footwear, and in some cases, foot orthotics when warranted.

This signature mix of treatment strategies, plus our heart-led mission to treat each human being as a unique individual, has allowed us to create a place where people can break through limitations and experience their own resiliency.

Our ‘Why’

Leading with our hearts means the reason we do this is to educate as many people as we can to help as many people as we can.

That means teaching our strategies, tools and methods to other health pros so they can help as many clients as possible. That also means working directly with people struggling with foot pain and difficulty moving so they can feel better and move better sooner.
Dr. Courtney Conley demonstrating
Foot
Our pros, athletes and other human soles are our ‘why.’ They are why we keep showing up both in our physical practices and online. And why we keep working tirelessly to stay up to date with all the latest research, assessment, and treatment techniques.

They are why we keep speaking out (as loudly as we possibly can) against a system that puts them in boxes and uses cookie-cutter ideas to treat individuals who don’t have cookie-cutter problems.

How Gait Happens, Happened

It started when a young Dr. Walker (now Dr. Perez) walked into a RockTape course focused on shoulders—but couldn’t ignore the instructor’s obsession with feet. That instructor was Dr. Courtney Conley, a chiropractor deeply passionate about foot mechanics and their impact on whole-body movement. At first, Dr. Walker was skeptical. Two days later, she was all in.


Dr. Conley’s journey began in orthotics labs, where she noticed the devices being made often blocked natural foot function. She dove into continuing education and shifted her focus to building strong, functional feet—just like any other part of the body. Her movement-based approach quickly became her life’s work.

Years later, at a RockTape summit in Mexico, a colleague nudged Dr. Conley to share her knowledge on Instagram. She was hesitant, but her desire to help more people pushed her to try. That’s when the idea for Gait Happens took root.

Meanwhile, Dr. Perez was finishing chiropractic school, now known among her peers as “the foot person.” She followed Dr. Conley’s work closely, and when a position opened at her clinic in Colorado, Perez jumped at the chance. She got the job—and moved across the country.

As consult demand grew, Dr. Perez joined Dr. Conley online. They quickly realized the need for accessible, foundational foot education—and that professionals everywhere were eager to learn their methods.

That’s how Gait Happens was born: from curiosity, passion, and a shared mission to help the world move better—starting from the ground up.

Meet the Core Foot Fam

Dr. Courtney Conley, DC

Dr. Courtney Conley, DC

Lakewood, Colorado

Dr. Courtney Conley is the founder and creator of Gait Happens where she has the opportunity to truly realize her dream of helping as many people as possible reclaim their foot function.

Dr. Courtney Conley is a distinguished figure in the field of foot and gait specialization.

She holds a Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine as well as two Bachelors degrees in Kinesiology and in Human Biology. In her over 25 years of clinical experience, she has had the privilege to work with a wide variety of foot and ankle patients, including professional athletes from organizations not limited to the Phoenix Suns, New York Yankees, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers.

She is the founder of Gait Happens, an education enterprise that is leading a paradigm shift in foot health education and intervention, offering innovative solutions to reclaim optimal foot function and training that optimizes gait mechanics. Through science-
backed professional education, consumer training, personalized consultations with top-of-field practitioners, and cutting-edge protocols, Gait Happens empowers individuals worldwide to address foot and gait issues with research-based confidence and efficacy. With a focus on natural approaches and preventative measures, Gait Happens fosters a community dedicated to prioritizing foot health and overall well-being.

The Healthy Feet Alliance, is a pioneering initiative co-founded by Dr. Conley, which unites global practitioners committed to promoting natural footwear and preventing
unnecessary surgical interventions. Through collaborative research, advocacy, and education, the alliance empowers individuals to prioritize foot health and embrace holistic approaches to foot care. The Healthy Feet Alliance serves as a beacon of knowledge and support, fostering a worldwide community dedicated to preserving and enhancing foot function for generations to come.

Beyond her pivotal roles at Gait Happens, Dr. Conley is Head of Patient Care at Total Health Solutions and Total Health Performance, premier healthcare destinations
renowned for their comprehensive and personalized approach to patient care. With a team of rehabilitation-focused medical professionals, the THS companies deliver cutting-edge treatment and therapies to optimize foot and gait health and wellness. From preventive medicine to advanced diagnostic services, THS Clinic is steadfast in its commitment to enhancing the well-being of each patient it serves.

Dr Conley’s global influence extends beyond her teaching and treating as she is an internationally recognized authority on foot mechanics and gait dynamics, captivating professional and consumer audiences alike through her comprehensive in-person and
online lectures on foot function and strategies for mitigating foot and gait discomfort. Dr.Conley’s scholarly contributions encompass authorship, mentorship, educational program development, and the formulation of pioneering foot and gait methodologies and her private client list includes numerous professional teams, A-list celebrities, global experts in medical care and heads of state.

In Person Clinic: Total Health Solutions in Lakewood, CO 

Dr. Jenifer Perez, DC

Dr. Jenifer Perez, DC

Lafayette, Colorado

Dr. Jen Perez is the co-owner and Vice President of Gait Happens. As both an educator and a clinician, her mission is to empower as many people as possible to take charge of their lower body health so they can get back to doing what they love.

Dr. Perez holds a BS in Kinesiology-Sports Medicine and a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree. She has lectured internationally on foot and gait biomechanics and helped clients across the globe live healthier lives from the ground up. She completed her clinical residency in Jamaica working  with Olympic and professional track and field athletes. She is credentialed in several movement assessment and treatment techniques such as Functional Movement Assessment, Fascial Distortion Model, Functional Movement Specialist, Dry Needling, etc.

Dr. Perez knows what it’s like to have pain stand in the way of your goals. This is what drives her to help as many people as possible get back to doing what they love. It’s this drive that inspired her to partner with Dr. Conley in creating Gait Happens for online courses, memberships and  virtual consultations. In addition to her contributions to Gait Happens, Dr. Perez, along  with her husband, Dr. Mark Perez, owns and operates Kinetic Chiropractic, in Lafayette, CO where she helps patients of all ages, backgrounds, and athletic abilities. No matter what your goals are, whether it's to improve your clinical skills or your physical abilities, Dr. Perez wants to support you and guide you forward. 

In Person Clinic: Kinetic Chiropractic in Lafayette, CO

Dr. Emily Schilling, DC

Dr. Emily Schilling, DC

Lakewood, Colorado

Dr. Emily Schilling began her career in the medical field at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she graduated with a double major in Neurology and Nutritional Science.

From there, she continued on to receive her Doctorate of Chiropractic and Master's in Functional Nutrition from Parker University in Dallas, TX.

Dr. Schilling has always enjoyed being athletic and has participated in a number of sports throughout her life. Some of these include track and field, volleyball, and gymnastics. Currently, she is heavily involved in the triathlon community and has competed in multiple half Ironmans and recently finished her first full Ironman in Wisconsin '22.

Given her participation in high level sports, she understands the need for quality assessments of pain, targeted exercises and care based on the individual. In specific, she places an emphasis on the lower extremity and gait patterns. After sustaining a number of running related injuries, she wanted to know not only why they kept occurring but also how to treat and ultimately prevent them. After years of research and continuation in the sport, she has a wealth of knowledge that she would love to share with you! Her main goal is to show people that they can reach their goals in whatever activity they love. By looking at the body as a whole, her ambition is to create smart, sustainable changes in the system that not only allow people to complete those tough workouts, but also keep the longevity.

Apart from sports, Dr. Schilling also loves nutrition. Growing up as a type 1 diabetic, this was, and still is, her world. She is currently pursuing her license to become a Certified Nutrition Specialist. If you ever feel like chatting about race or training fueling recommendations, her door is always open!

No matter if you're a weekend warrior or a professional level athlete; young or mature; just starting out, or years into a sport, Dr. Schilling is here to help!

Additional Qualifications
Functional Gait Assessment Level 1 Instructor
Functional Gait Assessment Level 2
Gait Foundations
Gait Guru
Clinical Meets Functional
Floor to Core
USAT Triathlon Coach
Fascial Distortion Model 
Functional Dry Needling 
Postural Restoration Institute 

Watch Dr. Emily's Intro Video

Schedule a Virtual Appointment

In Person Clinic: Dr. Schilling holds office hours at Total Health Solutions in Lakewood, CO.

Dr. Chelsea Lineberger, DPT

Dr. Chelsea Lineberger, DPT

Denver, North Carolina

Dr. Lineberger is a physical therapist, fellowship trained manual therapist, and CrossFit Level 1 trainer.

She believes in bringing a patient-focused, fitness forward approach to physical therapy to help patients get back to the activities they love. She enjoys helping patients understand their bodies better and connect the dots between improving movement and improving overall health. Dr. Lineberger attended Appalachian State University and graduated in 2014 with a degree in Exercise Science, then attended Duke University for her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, finishing in 2017. Shortly after PT school, Dr. Lineberger was accepted into a fellowship in orthopedic and manual physical therapy to refine her skills and continue her pursuit of providing excellent care. In addition to providing virtual appointments with Gait Happens, Dr. Lineberger owns Pursuit Physiotherapy and Performance in Denver, NC, an out-of-network clinic that brings a fitness-forward approach to physical therapy care. Her mission is to empower patients to take control of their musculoskeletal health by teaching them about the body’s resiliency. Outside the clinic you can probably find her hiking with her husband, Drew, and their pup, Harley, or inside the gym at CrossFit DHF.

Additional Qualifications
Functional Gait Assessment Level 1
Functional Gait Assessment Level 2
Gait Guru
Fellowship Trained Manual Therapist
CrossFit Level 2 Coach

Watch Dr. Chelsea's Intro Video

Schedule A Virtual Appointment 

In Person Clinic: Dr. Lineberger holds office hours at Pursuit Physiotherapy and Performance in Denver, NC.

Kala Hildebrand, MPT

Kala Hildebrand, MPT

Asheville, North Carolina

Kala earned a Master’s degree in physical therapy from Western Carolina University in 2012.

After that she began working in outpatient, orthopedic therapy in Asheville, North Carolina, treating patients with a wide variety of diagnoses. Having practiced bodywork since 2006, after completing a 16-month program at the Brian Utting School of Massage in Seattle, WA, she opened her own practice in 2018 to offer a combination of physical therapy and massage sessions. She addresses pain and movement dysfunction and has deeply focused time with her patients.

Kala found the world of injury treatment and physical therapy as a teenager, experiencing intermittent dance-related injuries. Her 25+ years of modern dance training and performing inform her interest in restoring patients to pain-free movement patterns. Her interest in the intersection of movement and bodywork also attracted her to Thai massage, incorporating movement, stretching, and compression work. She has completed over 180 hours of Thai massage training in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Together, Kala’s training and experience allow her to address the needs of professional dancers, athletes and amateur movers alike, finding methods of treatment to return each individual to ease of movement.

Additional Qualifications
Functional Gait Assessment Level 1
Functional Gait Assessment Level 2
Gait Guru
Sole Switch Pro
Clinical Meets Functional
Floor to Core
Embodia Academy/Pivot: Assessing & Treating Dancers and Artistic Athletes
Westside Dance PT: Dance Medicine Practicum
Herman & Wallace Pelvic Floor Level 1
Institute of Physical Art: CoreFirst™ Strategies for Back Education & Training, Dynamic Foot & Ankle, & PNF 1
Sunshine School of Massage (Chiang Mai, Thailand): 120+ hrs of Thai Massage Instruction
Functional Movement Systems: SFMA level 1 & 2
David Grey Rehab: Lower Limb Biomechanics, Rehabilitation, and Performance


Watch Kala's Video Introduction

Schedule a Virtual Appointment

In Person Clinic: Kala, MPT holds office hours at her private physical therapy practice in Asheville, NC.

Dr. Megan Drewes, Physical Therapist

Defiance, Ohio

Dr. Drewes has overcome some of her own gait and running related injuries,
which allowed her to find passion in helping others with gait and lower extremity needs.
She believes in treating each person as an individual and looking at their system as a whole.

Dr. Drewes knows the importance of movement as medicine to keep the body and mind healthy.
Dr. Megan Drewes holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from the University of Toledo where she ran collegiate cross country and track.
She then went on to complete her doctoral degree in physical therapy from the University of Toledo.
Dr. Drewes owns Drewes PT in Defiance, Ohio, an out-of-network physical therapy clinic specializing in foot, ankle, and gait biomechanics.
Dr. Drewes is excited to help get you back to moving and doing the things you love!
 
Additional Qualifications
Functional Gait Assessment Level 1 Instructor
Functional Gait Assessment Level 2 
Gait Guru
Gait Foundations
Sole Switch Pro
Certified integrative dry needling
Owens recovery science partial blood flow restriction
 
 
 
Dr. Allison Riley

Dr. Allison Riley, DPT

Salem, Massachusetts

Dr. Allison Riley has a passion for helping people recognize that movement is a powerful way to get and stay healthy, active, and happy.

She has had an interest in lower body injuries and gait since early in her career and excels in identifying the root cause of symptoms, and developing individualized and effective plans to help relieve symptoms and promote long term relief. She thrives as an educator and empowers her clients to understand their symptoms and take an active role in their recovery.

She specializes in lower extremity orthopedic injuries and conditions, as well as in women’s health and pelvic floor diagnoses, specifically lower extremity, foot, and gait dysfunction that may be contributing to pelvic health concerns.

In addition to virtual consultations for Gait Happens, Dr Riley owns and operates her own practice, Stride Physical Therapy & Wellness, where she treats in-person clients with general orthopedic and pelvic health diagnoses, as well as performance and injury prevention services.

Allison received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the Mass General Hospital Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA and is an APTA Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedics. She completed her BA in Exercise Science from Gettysburg College where she played NCAA level softball.

Additional Qualifications
Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Herman Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute Level 1 Certified
Institute of Clinical Excellence Pregnant and Postpartum Athlete Certified 
Sole Switch Pro Course Developer / Instructor
Functional Gait Assessment Level 1 Instructor
Gait Guru Membership Instructor
Functional Gait Assessment Level 2
Clinical Meets Functional
Gait Foundations 

Watch Dr. Allison's Intro Video

Schedule A Virtual Appointment

In person clinic: Dr. Riley holds office hours at Stride Physical Therapy & Wellness in Salem, Massachusetts

Rina Harris, Podiatrist 

London, United Kingdom

 

Rina is a London-based Functional Podiatrist with over 20 years experience. She
has a special interest in foot and ankle injuries, gait mechanics and sports-related
conditions.

Rina’s goal is to help clients restore natural foot and ankle function using long-
term, sustainable solutions that focus on movement, prevention and education.

She believes that strong and stable feet are the foundation of human movement -
that the human body is interconnected so foot function affects every part of our
body and it can therefore greatly influence how we move, exercise and perform.
Rina’s personal foot health journey also shaped her approach and how she helps
her clients overcome pain and dysfunction. After facing her own foot issues that
conventional treatments couldn’t resolve, she reevaluated her approach and gained a
completely different perspective to the one she had when she first entered this
work space. She discovered that our feet are not flawed but resilient and perfectly
tuned for natural body movement and the human body, including feet, continually
adapts in response to the way it is used. However, she found that it’s our modern
environment, conventional footwear, sedentary occupations that are a distinct
threat to our physical movement and foot health. This led to her adapting a more
innovative and functional approach, which she now integrates into her practice,
successfully helping clients optimise recovery, improve foot function and restore
natural movement.
Rina graduated from the University College London with a Bachelor of Science
with Honours Degree in Podiatric Medicine (2003), she also holds a Postgraduate
Diploma in Podiatric Biomechanics from Staffordshire University (2007). She is a
certified running technique coach and yoga trapeze instructor, integrating a
broader understanding of movement into her care.
In addition to offering virtual appointments with Gait Happens, Rina runs a private
clinic in Soho, Central London, where she provides in-person consultations. Her
work is driven by a passion to help her clients move, walk and run pain-free
empowering them to take ownership of their foot health so they can live healthier,
more active lives.
 
Additional Qualifications
Functional Gait Assessment Level 1
Gait Guru
 
 
In Person Clinic:

Behind the Scenes Team

Grace Southwick, Operations Manager

 Grace Southwick, Operations Manager

Grace Southwick is an experienced Operations Manager with over 10 years in client-facing roles spanning retail, corporate, and legal environments.

Known for her friendly, upbeat approach, she excels at building strong relationships, streamlining processes, and delivering exceptional customer experiences. Grace combines a sharp eye for detail with a people-first mindset, ensuring both efficiency and client satisfaction. When she’s not at work, she enjoys riding her horse, PJ, and spending time with her three beloved cats.

Andia Comstock, Marketing Manager

Andia is our marketing strategist with over 7 years of experience in email marketing, project and social media management, including content creation and analytics. 

She is passionate about connecting people to solutions through digital marketing strategies that drive engagement and results.

Andia has successfully led campaigns for diverse clients, helping brands increase visibility and boost revenue growth. Bilingual in English and Japanese, she brings a global perspective to her work, ensuring her campaigns resonate with a wide range of audiences. Her expertise in optimizing digital marketing strategies consistently delivers measurable outcomes, by improving conversion rates and enhancing brand recognition.

Outside of work, Andia enjoys hiking, camping, and exploring national parks with her husband, Chris, with Grand Teton National Park being their favorite. She’s also a proud dog mom of two rescue Australian Shepherds and a dedicated foodie who has perfected the art of making the dairy-free chocolate chip cookie.

Mark Perez, DC, Customer Service Specialist 

Dr. Mark Perez grew up in the high desert of Southern California, where you’d find him riding dirt bikes, snowboarding, wrestling, and playing baseball and football.

While attending college in the beautiful Central Coast of California, he spent his free time surfing, hiking, and CrossFit. Needless to say movement has always been an integral part of Dr. Mark's life. This led Dr. Mark to his career as a chiropractor with a CCSP Sports Certification. His passions outside of the office include smoking brisket, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and spending time with his family, including his wife, Gait Happens Co-Founder, Dr. Jen Perez.

Scott Thomas-Fitch, Operations

Scott is our international strategy lead with over 18 years of experience growing fitness and wellness brands across global markets.

A former world-record-holding swimmer and MBA graduate from Thunderbird, he combines performance, strategy, and execution to drive results.

Gabby Thomas-Fitch, Marketing

Gaby is our brand and communications strategist with an MBA from Thunderbird and deep expertise in defining brand voice, market positioning, and growth strategy for wellness companies.

A black belt, athlete, and breast cancer survivor, she brings clarity and purpose to every project.

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