Our Philosophy: Defining Flexed Mettle

We often get asked what our name means. To us, it is the formula for durability.

Flexed (The Structure): This is the physical architecture. It represents the science of biomechanics, the density of your tissues, and the "Structural Armor" we build through progressive loading. It is the tangible evidence that your body has the capacity to handle the work.

Mettle (The Bedrock): Mettle is an old word for a timeless quality: the ability to cope well with difficulties. It is your grit, your determination, and your spirit. It is the "Bedrock" underneath the structure that determines whether you break or bounce back when the pressure mounts.

Where They Meet: Flexed Mettle is the intersection of biological capacity and psychological resilience. We don't just treat injuries; we build the mettle required to endure them and the body capable of overcoming them.

Our Team

Christian Jorns

Location - Portland, Maine

My understanding of performance didn’t start in a gym—it started with a lesson on geology. Growing up in the South Chicago Suburbs as the son of a mining engineer, I learned early on that true stability isn't found on the surface; it is found in the bedrock. You can build a pretty house, but if the strata underneath aren't solid, it won't withstand the season.

I carried that philosophy into my career as a Doctor of Physical Therapy. I spent the first six years of my practice in the high-volume, “assembly line” medical model. While I helped thousands of patients, I saw a broken system that prioritized quick fixes over long-term durability. I realized that active adults—climbers, lifters, and runners—need more than just “good enough” to get by. They need a blueprint to thrive.

That is why I founded Flexed Mettle. My approach is built on the belief that health must be constructed in layers: structurally sound, relentlessly resilient, and capable of handling heavy loads.

I don’t just prescribe this; I live it. Whether I’m pushing my numbers in the weight room, projecting routes here in Maine, or running the woods with my dog, Bruiser, I am constantly testing the principles of durability. I am here to be the Architect for your recovery and the Foreman for your performance—helping you build a body that doesn't just survive the storm, but welcomes it.

  • The Scientific Bedrock

    My fascination with human performance is rooted in hard science. At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), I didn't just study Molecular and Cellular Biology; I worked as a researcher in the Neurocognitive Kinesiology Lab. There, I studied the direct link between exercise and cognition. This early exposure to the nervous system shaped my modern understanding of pain not just as tissue damage, but as a "Smoke Detector" system that needs calibration.

    The Clinical Crucible

    After earning my Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) from the University of New England, I spent the first six years of my career in a high-volume private practice in Portland. This was my proving ground. I managed thousands of cases, learning exactly where the traditional medical model falls short for the active athlete. It was here that I began integrating true strength and conditioning principles into rehab—realizing that you can't just treat the injury; you have to upgrade the athlete's capacity.

    The Specialist

    To elevate my standard of care, I became a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) in 2019—a distinction held by a small percentage of physical therapists nationwide. My time at InterMed allowed me to refine my clinical reasoning alongside top physicians, giving me the medical depth to act as the "Architect" of your recovery.

    The Coach & Educator

    For nearly a decade, I have straddled the line between clinician, coach, and educator. I view exercise programming not just as fitness, but as "Structural Armor." Whether teaching the next generation of therapists as an Adjunct Professor at the University of New England or programming for Olympic-caliber talent, my goal is the same: to blend the precision of a specialist with the grit of a strength coach, delivering outcomes that are built to last.

Eric Norman

Location - Princeton, Minnesota

My upbringing on a small farm in Princeton, Minnesota, was a natural immersion in varied sports and activities. Often, this involved my older brothers and me inventing our own games to stay entertained—an early grounding in creativity and resourcefulness that I believe strongly contributes to my approach as a clinician today.

My passion for sports continued through high school, where I played football, basketball, and baseball. These days, I stay active playing amateur baseball for my hometown team, enjoy the challenge of pickleball, and have recently been focusing more on my golf game. You’ll also often find me training and going on adventures throughout Minnesota with my dog, Willie. When I'm not engaged in these activities or patient care, I'm usually tackling home improvement projects or working towards achieving the most pristine lawn in the neighborhood! This diverse range of experiences helps me connect with and understand the varied pursuits of the people I work with.

  • My journey into understanding human movement and performance began after high school in central Minnesota, leading me south to Winona State University. There, I earned my Bachelor's in Kinesiology, complemented by double minors in Nutrition and Psychology – a combination that sparked my interest in the multifaceted nature of health. During my undergraduate years, I delved into research on topics ranging from time-restricted feeding and the gut-brain connection to the practical application of yoga for injury prevention with Division II athletes.

    After graduating and becoming a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the NSCA, I gained valuable hands-on experience as a strength coach at Princeton High School. This practical application of training principles fueled my desire to deepen my clinical knowledge, leading me to Maine in 2019 to attend the University of New England's Doctor of Physical Therapy program. While at UNE, I also enjoyed working as a personal trainer for faculty and students, further blending my passion for exercise with clinical learning.

    Upon graduating with my DPT, I embraced an opportunity at Gundersen Health Systems in Winona, MN. It was rewarding to bring my skills back to the community that helped shape me and to further develop my clinical practice. My commitment to providing comprehensive care has driven me to pursue advanced certifications, including in Vestibular Therapy from the American Institute of Balance and Functional Dry Needling from Evidence in Motion.

    Most recently, in 2024, I was incredibly proud to achieve Board Certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)—a significant professional milestone representing advanced expertise in orthopedic physical therapy. I firmly believe these diverse educational and clinical endeavors have shaped me into a more well-rounded clinician, capable of providing a higher standard of care. Now, at Flexed Mettle, I bring this integrated background to help you achieve your movement and performance goals.