Our team

  • Rick Putnam
    • RICK PUTNAM

    Rick’s passion for running evolved out of the desire to develop and maintain a high quality level of physical and psychological fitness. Over the past 35+ years, Rick has completed a plethora of organized road and trail running events ranging from 5 kilometers to the ultra-distances. Rick has run all the domestic Marathon Majors, Boston in 1996, 2016, and soon to be 2021, New York in 2018, and Chicago in 2019. Rick’s best marathon result came at the New York Marathon where he finished 9th in his age group, 3rd American. Rick joined the Anjuna ambassador team in hopes of sharing his 35+ years of running insights collected during every step of his phenomenal journey.

  • Nathan J. HeideOwner/DAOM LAc

    A native Oregonian from Corvallis, Nathan was born into a three-generation military family and has lived in Oregon, Washington State, California, Michigan, Rhode Island, Maine, Georgia, Tennessee, and Italy. He is a veteran (former Naval Officer), an Eagle Scout, Acupuncturist and Oregon MBA Candidate. He is proud to have served his country in the Navy and continues to serve the American people in healthcare.

    Nathan holds a National Board-Certification in Integrative Medicine and Acupuncture (NCCAOM 154326), an Oregon Acupuncture license (AC 164157), and a California Acupuncture license ( AC 15688).

    He earned his Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Oregon College of Oriental Medicine in Portland, his Masters of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, California and his Bachelors of Arts in English Literature and Social Change with focus on prison education reforms from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

    He is currently enrolled in the Oregon MBA program at Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon.

    When not busy treating patients, Nathan serves on the Board of Directors for the Little French School in Eugene. He loves spending time with his family practicing the French language, going rock climbing, and playing Lego’s with his wife, Christina, and five-year-old son, Noah.

    Additionally, Nathan has a deep passion for international travel. He lived in Naples, Italy for two years working for the US Navy and NATO, and on weekends, he and the family can often be found sampling some of the fine international restaurants around Eugene and Portland while dreaming of exotic travel vacations.

    Nathan’s clinical experience includes:

    • Owner of Anjuna Acupuncture Clinic since 2013.
    • One year specialty internship in Movement Therapy with Dr. James Fox, PhD and Dr. Greg Moore, MD at the NeuroSpine Institute in Eugene, Oregon.
    • Rady Children’s Hospital: Co-managed over oncology/RPS/CRPS cases (In/Out/ Patient Care) on an integrated medical team with MDs.
    • UCSD Oncology Center, Encinitas: Helped optimize patient medical treatments via a multi-disciplinary approach, providing optimal physical, emotional, and spiritual guidance to challenge their illness.
    • Integrated Pain Management: Received advanced training using integrative pain management techniques in a biomedical setting at SHARP Memorial Hospital Locations.
    • Orthopedic/Sports Injury Treatment: Received additional advanced Orthopedic & traumatology training with Drew Taylor, L.Ac., using AcuSport needling & ZhengGu Tuina protocols for orthopedic traumatology.
    • International Sports Medicine Clinic: Conducted a one-month international climber’s injury-repair clinic in Geyikbayiri.
    • Works with UO Duck Athletes at part of a community treatment sports injury rehabilitation team.
    • Received advanced training in Advanced Needle Technique and Dry-Needling applications to sports/orthopedic patients from the Lotus Institute of Integrated Medicine.
  • Christina M. WozniakBusiness Development Lead

    Christina is an experienced administrator, training coordinator and financial manager. Currently she serves as the Business Development Lead for the Anjuna Clinic. 

    When she is not at the clinic, Christina also serves as outreach and training coordinator for sponsored projects services at the University of Oregon. In this role, she develops and facilitates an eight-session, semi-annual study group incorporating subject matter experts from across campus to prepare UO employees to obtain Certified Research Administrator (CRA) certifications. 

    As an Oregon MBA candidate (Class of 2022), Christina studies business strategies from experienced business executives. Her passion lies in developing engaging, collaborative, productive environments where employees and companies flourish.

    She is excited to support the Anjuna team with her MBA knowledge and business expertise.

     

  • Cezanne BauerLicensed Massage Therapist

    Cezanne grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and spent much of her time in the ocean around Key Largo. After high school she moved to Boulder, Colorado to enjoy hiking and skiing in the mountains. She got to know the aloha spirit living in Hawaii, but ended up falling in love with Oregon and settled down in Eugene to raise her family.

    She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado. During her studies, she took a course in Pain Management, and became fascinated with the nervous system. Before she connected this interest with Massage Therapy, she had various positions in traditional medical offices gaining experience listening with compassion and helping patients feel comfortable and empowered.

    In order to work with people in a more meaningful way, she decided to pursue a career in Massage Therapy and completed the Massage Therapy Program at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. Cezanne became passionate about the many ways Massage Therapy may help manage pain and reduce stress. Her massage style combines Swedish Massage with Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue Massage, and Acupressure Points depending on the needs of the client.

    When she’s not practicing Massage Therapy, you may find Cezanne laughing with her family, playing in the water, or surrounded by trees.

  • Alex DigraziaLicensed Massage Therapist

    Alex was born and raised with his twin sister in the golden hills of California’s Central Coast. He moved to Eugene in 2012 to pursue a Bachelors of Music in Jazz Studies on the Guitar, but changed courses when he made a startling discovery.

    He noticed that his playing was always affected by whatever was present in his body and mind. If he was anxious, his playing would sound anxious and strained. But when he began his sessions with breathing exercises, his playing took on a completely new quality.

    Over time, he began incorporating a philosophy into his practice routine called “Do Easy”.

    The idea was simple: Get relaxed. Practice effortless action. Play as slow as needed for this. Don’t judge it. Don’t rush the results.

    In just a week of practicing this way, he found himself playing effortlessly at full speed. He had discovered the virtue of practicing ease.

    It was out of these experiments in the practice room that Alex began to think “My body is the first instrument. The guitar is the second. If I practice being relaxed, flowing, and full, then my playing will follow suit.”

    He set out to learn as much as he could about the human body and mind.

    A graduate of Lane Community College’s Massage Therapy program, Alex’s bodywork is rooted in traditional Swedish Massage, and incorporates elements of Myofascial Release, Structural Integration, Trigger Point Therapy, Connective Tissue Therapy, and Acupressure.

    Along with his Massage practice, Alex has been immersed in Meditation, Martial Arts, and Medical Qigong for the last four years. He is currently training in a 200 hour Medical Qigong Practitioner Certificate program with Eric Shaffer, Doctor of Medical Qigong (China), and looks forward to offering energetic treatments and prescription Medical Qigong self-healing exercises.

    His experience in these mind/body disciplines informs the compassionate awareness he brings to the treatment room.

    In his spare time, Alex enjoys teaching a small studio of private guitar students, having a hearty laugh with friends over home-cooked meals, and going for long, long bike rides.

  • Kristi HensleyCustomer Service Specialist

    Kristi is originally from Wyoming but has been in the Willamette valley for over 10 years. She ventured out to the Pacific Northwest to see some sequoias and experience the West Coast lifestyle. Since being in Eugene she has enjoyed exploring the various outdoor activities that are available in the valley as well as all the great restaurants around town. Recently she has received her Basic Health Care Certificate and her Associates degree from Lane Community College. Kristi has a background in exceptional customer service and enjoys getting to know the patrons that come through Anjuna’s doors. When she isn’t helping clients at Anjuna you can find her outdoors exploring the beautiful and inspiring natural world with her husband and her two daughters.

  • Russell DraperBusiness Development Lead

    Russell was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma until moving away to college in Tennessee, where he received a B.S. in Mass Communications. Taking his education and skills, Russell began a career in management. As his career interests grew, Russell stepped into the world of Finance with one of the largest U.S. financial institutions.

    Russell loves the outdoors and is an avid cyclist. He and his family enjoy hiking with their dog, camping, and traveling to many of the beautiful parks this country has to offer.

    Russell’s favorite past time is music. He enjoys going to concerts, exploring new music, and playing it a little.

    Russell, his wife, Lauren, their three children, Adeline, Bennett and Cohen, and their 95 lb. black lab lap dog, Vader, reside in St. Louis, Missouri.

  • Mel Newberry
    • MEL NEWBERRY

    My name is Mel Newberry and I am a British steeplechase athlete and elementary school teacher.  I am passionate about training and competing at the highest level, and also teaching students of all ages about the sport and getting them involved.  I make sure to incorporate track and field, especially the steeplechase, into my teaching wherever possible, and have been volunteering in schools teaching extra PE classes to promote understanding of physical fitness and healthy living.

    Q & A

    What do you do when you are not running (other hobbies/counter sports)?

    I love going to a street dance fitness class twice a week, and I am trying to learn to cook (read: binge watching Cutthroat Kitchen for “inspiration”, while getting distracted, burning things, and smoking my housemates out of their rooms).  I also work as an advisor for Global Exchange Oregon’s Study Abroad office, and volunteer at a local elementary school while I complete my MA in Special Education.

    Favorite running shoe?

    Nike Pegasus.  Boring, but true. ALTHOUGH I did just order some that are “jungle print”, and I’m pretty excited.

    If you had to name one aspect of running that gets your most psyched, what would it be?

    Running has given, and continues to give me the opportunity to race around the US and world, and I absolutely love how this has enabled me to see awesome places, meet runners from all over and talk to them, and race against a huge range of runners.  Racing gets me the most psyched out of everything, but there’s also something extremely special about the team dynamic in a workout, where everyone is working together to push each other to get better.  This is especially so on Team Run Eugene, which is just the most wonderful collection of interesting, kind, and driven runners, with hugely varied interests and careers, but a shared goal of becoming the best athletes that they can be.

    Essential Running Food?

    Bananas! And Raw Revolution Glo Bars- they’re a natural, plant-based, raw food protein bar full of seeds that are low in sugar and gluten-free, but taste amazing!

    If you never started running what would you have pursued instead?

    If I had never started running, I would have likely pursued the violin at a higher level (track sessions conflicted with orchestra in high school, so my orchestra attendance became pretty shabby!).  I would have got my violin teaching diploma, and perhaps looked at going to music college. 

    Who is your idol/hero?

    Annette Peters.  She is a kindergarten teacher in the Springfield Public Schools who represented the US in the 3000m at the 1992 Olympics.  She made training fit with the demands of elementary school teaching in a way that is totally inspirational, still teaches today, and makes her school’s jogathon awesome.

    Guilty Oregon pleasure?

    Oh gosh!  So many! Wearing rainbow socks and other clothes that are probably closer to costumes, just because I can and none will bat an eyelid. Also relishing the fact that video rental shops, barcades, bingo and trivia nights all still exist here, and going regularly to all of these.  Living in Eugene is like stepping into a time warp in the best possible way!

    Tea or coffee or Kombucha?

    All three!  I have to start my day with coffee, but then at work I like to experiment with the International Affairs Office’s range of teas. I am a kombucha freak, and am in the process of learning how to brew my own.  A little perturbed that the scoby you need to start it off looks like a jar of brains, but otherwise optimistic.

    Favorite Eugene meal after running?

    Either miso eggs from Izakaya Meiji, or a selection of anything and everything that the Sundance Natural Foods hot and cold food bar has to offer-  you can’t go wrong there! 

    What are your top 3 fav running locations?

    The Ridgeline Trail
    Hendricks Park
    Mount Pisgah
    Bonus: Northala Fields, Northolt, England   (it’s a collection of super odd, man-made hills right next to a busy motorway, but it’s a fab place to run!)

  • Matt Hidalgo
    • MATT HIDALGO

    My name is Matt Hidalgo. I have resided in the Pacific Northwest for the majority of my life, but Banks, Oregon is the place I call home. Adrenaline sports have always been my passion; as soon as I could ride a bike, I wanted to jump it. My passion for extreme sports evolved as I got older, which led me to the sport of Pole Vault during my freshman year of high school. My Grandfather, who was a top level vault competitor in the 60s, turned me on to the sport. After one season I was hooked. I knew this was something I wanted to train for year around for in order to become the best I could. It is quite the rush launching your body into the air as high as you can, and the best part is that the better you get, the higher you get to go. Although Pole Vault is one of the most dangerous sports, the risk is worth the feeling of clearing a new height.

    Q & A

    What do you do when you are not running (other hobbies/counter sports)?

    In my spare time you’ll find me skiing, doing parkour, rock climbing, hiking, riding dirt bikes, riding sport bikes, or disc golfing. My main goal is to have as much fun as I possibly can. When I’m not active, I’m tasting new IPA’s and spending time with the people I love.

    Favorite running shoe?

    My favorite running shoe is the Nike Zoom Structure. Can’t beat a Nike Zoom Air shoe.

    If you had to name one aspect of running that gets your most psyched, what would it be?

    The moment you are at top speed.

    Favorite Eugene meal after Vaulting?

    A teriyaki beef plate and a spam musubi from Every Day Kine Grindz. They’ve got the best Hawaiian food in Oregon.

    What are your top 3 fav vaulting locations?

    1. Hayward Field. Eugene, Oregon.
    2. The Armory. Washington Heights Manhattan, New York.
    3. The Tacoma Freedom Fair Beach Vault. Tacoma, Washington.

    How many poles have you broken?

    I’ve broken 3 in my career. Luckily I’ve been alright every time. It is quite a sensation when a pole brakes. The noise is about as loud as a gunshot and the shock sent through your hands can fracture bones, and the broken pieces and shards launch outwards with amazing force.

    What is the best part of any vault?

    The best part is the frozen moment when you’re soaring above the cross bar, however many feet in the air, and you know you made it. That moment feels incredible. The fall back to earth is priceless.

    Guilty Oregon pleasure?

    Camping deep in the woods with my friends, or visiting the amazing breweries around the state.

    Tea or coffee or Kombucha?

    I love all three. Coffee would have to be my favorite though. Sometimes I’ll even drink coffee while vaulting. I mostly drink it black, however every now and then a caramel macchiato hits the spot.

    Essential training food?

    A dense, nutrition packed meal bar. Something I can throw down that keeps me going. Coconut flavored preferably. My favorites are Tram Bars, Probars, and Meal Pack bars.

    If you never started vaulting what would you have pursued instead?

    Skiing for sure. I’ve been an avid skier for over 15 years.

    Who is your idol/hero?

    I have many inspirations in many different disciplines. However, from a pole vaulting standpoint, Renaud Lavillenie is my hero. He broke the world record in 2014, proving that small guys can jump pretty high too.

    What is the scariest, or most intimidating part about vaulting?

    Vaulting is a mental game. So the most intimidating part is the realization that you have to run at absolute top speed with a 16-foot pole, plant that pole into an 8-inch-wide box, jump as high as you can, and get that pole to go past vertical. If you don’t generate enough energy (or worse, you make a mistake) and that pole doesn’t get past vertical, then you get rejected. It happens to every vaulter at least a few times, in varying degrees of catastrophe. The end result is you’re not going to land on the mat, you’re going to hit the ground. That risk is what makes pole vaulting exhilarating. Unfortunately, the mind game of pole vaulting and fear of making a mistake causes many vaulters (world champions included) to leave the sport for extended periods of time, and often indefinitely.

  • Nathan Heide
    • NATHAN HEIDE

    Climbing by the numbers

    Routes (Highlights):

    5.14s- 4: Omaha Beach (Red River Gorge, KY); SuperNova (Rumney, NH), God’s Owen Stone (Red River Gorge, KY), Viaggio Segreto (Ferentillo, Italia).
    5.13s- 35: Many in Red River Gorge, Rumney, Foster Falls, Italians Crags, Smith, Mt Potosi, Mt Charleston, Salt Lake City Crags, Idaho Crags.
    5.12s- 100+: Many in the above regions.

    Boulders (Highlights):

    V10 Instinct (sit), LRC (TN)
    V10 Redrum (sit), Bishop (CA)
    V10 Satan on a Half Shell, Rumeny (CA)
    V10 Eden, Joe’s Valley (CA)
    V10 Buzzsaw, Black Mountain (CA)

    Trad (Highlights):

    The Prow on Washington Column, Yosemite (CA)
    Broken Arrow, Tuolumne Meadows (CA)
    Desert Gold, Red Rocks (NV)

    Q & A

    What do you do when you are not climbing (other hobbies/counter sports)?

    I practice Ashtanga yoga, listen to music, vacation in sunny places with Erin, and think about how to make the best Anjuna Medicine brand around!

    Favorite climbing shoe?

    Five Ten Dragons, Blackwings, and V10s. (I’ve not tried the La Sportiva Solutions yet, but I think those will be my next pair!)

    If you had to name one aspect of climbing that gets your most psyched, what would it be?

    The adventures and exploration aspect, for sure. Also, the ability to try a problem or route and get completely shut down and think—”gosh, that might be impossible”—but then to come back and unlock the sequence, discover the beta, and send the problem or route. Gives me the feeling as if ‘impossible is nothing’. That’s what get’s me psyched!

    How many whippers have you taken?

    So many! Some of the biggest have been at Red River Gorge in the Motherlode after finishing Omaha Beach and Transworld. Those were HUGE falls. I’ve also taken some screamers in Yosemite that almost made me not want to go back (but, I did)! ?

    What is the best part of any climb?

    The best part of any climb is certainly the moment when I unlock a sequence that has previously been stumping me. Something that felt totally impossible, then becomes doable and possible. That’s the very best part.

    What is the scariest, or most intimidating part about climbing?

    The most intimidating part of climbing is being on the sharp end of a trad route high above the last piece of pro, which you suspect is not very good, but you need to keep climbing to get to the next good placement. It’s a moment when you just can’t fall—period. So, the stress and adrenaline is high and seriousness is legit. You just can’t make any mistakes or the results could be pretty catastrophic! You’re certainly on the edge between safety and insanity, which is just what I enjoy and makes me feel intimidated.

    Essential climbing food?

    I’m really into avocados and tortillas these days.

    If you never started climbing what would you have pursued instead?

    I have no idea! Climbing caught my attention from the very beginning, and I’ve never looked at any other activity with as much love as I do climbing. Who knows what else I would have done.

    Who is your idol/hero?

    In the climbing world it is certainly Bill Ramsey. He has inspired me from the first day a met him, and even now in his late 50s, he still climbs like a hardman. He’s a constant source of inspiration!

    Guilty Oregon pleasure?

    Euphoria Chocolate in Eugene. I seriously can never say no to their stuff.

    Tea or coffee or Kombucha?

    Kombucha and Tea. Currently, I’m on a coffee break.

    Favorite Eugene meal after climbing?

    Probably going to Falling Sky for a light meal and a beer.

    What are your top 3 fav climbing locations?

    Tuolumne Meadows, California

    Ceuse, France

    Red River Gorge, Kentucky