Origin Story
Hi, I'm Julia
Up to Adventure's Founder
I know what it is like to be frustrated, paralyzed by fear, and in so much pain you can't think straight, none the less try to enjoy what you love to do. I created UTA because NO ONE deserves to feel like that.
I have been managing knee and ankle pain since middle school, but my true relationship with paralyzing pain started on a beautiful sunny day in 2022. Flipping my peddle bike head over heals when trying to avoid a tree root, I landed just unlucky enough to break both arms and snap both sides of my jaw clean off. Not my best day by far. My jaw was wired shut for 6 weeks following that unlucky stunt, giving the bones time to heal in their new, incorrect, position. The pain was unbearable. Worse than the pain was the fear. Fear that the pain would never go away, I would never move again, and that I would have to give up everything I love to do.
I often found myself putting on a brave face while family tried to help. Tying to ease their worry, while letting myself sink deeper into pain and isolation. Hopeful for a solution, I would share these strange pains with my medical team, but often found my concerns dismissed, leaving me alone with my pain once again.
The pain controlled every aspect of my thoughts, feeling, and actions for 2 long months. Fearing organ damage and addiction, I tried to limit pain meds for the worst days, felling like a failure every time I had to reach for a bottle. Relentlessly searching for weeks for anything that would provide relief, it finally happened. Using a combination of 12 strategies that focused on different aspects of the body, mind, and heart THE PAIN GOT BETTER! For the first time in months I was the master of my pain and in control of my day once more.
I want to share these 12 strategies, as well as the many others I have discovered since then, with everyone who is ready to take the next step to master your pain, and vanquish the fear that goes with it. Because everyone deserves happiness, and every day deserves an adventure!
Our mission
To empower all adults with Arthritis and joint pain to master your pain, live confident, and explore the fun in life.
Why? Because you have worked so hard and sacrificed so much, it is time to explore what you love to do.
Why act now? You be the judge. By changing nothing, are you willing to continue sacrificing time doing what you love to go to more medical visits and take more medications? Or is it time to try something different and be the master of your life?
Click here to Master your pain
Who am I?
Hi I'm Julia! Starting as a volunteer at 8 years old, I have served in the physical rehabilitation field for over 20 years. After receiving my professional degree, I helped patients in every aspect of their rehabilitation process get stronger and do more for themselves, working in hospitals through outpatient clinics. During my spare time, I love to be outdoors, hiking, biking, practicing yoga, or going out for walks with my dog. I am always looking for ways to grow and learn and will be receiving my level 1 trauma sensitive yoga instructor certified in June 2024.
