Consistency, curiosity, and courage are at the heart of Catherine Johnson’s fitness journey. As our December Natural Wellness Physiotherapy Athlete of the Month, Catherine is a wonderful example of what steady effort, strong community, and belief in yourself can achieve - sometimes far beyond what you ever thought possible.

Catherine grew up in Prince George, British Columbia, and came to the U.S. to play tennis at Friends University. She has always loved being active and spending time outdoors. “I enjoy being outside and am passionate about the environment,” she says. 

When it comes to fitness, Catherine enjoys variety. One of her favorite ways to stay active is cross-country skiing, especially during the winter months at Lake Afton and other parks around Sedgwick County. She also loves playing pickleball, particularly with her mom, and enjoys swimming when she gets the chance. Her least favorite activity? Biking. “I was never good at it as a kid,” she says. “I always feel at risk of falling off!”

Exercise plays an important role in Catherine’s life. “It is energizing,” she explains. “I love the community—I don’t want to miss out!” She also enjoys tracking her progress and seeing improvement over time. Running has become especially meaningful for her.

“I enjoy being outside and seeing details that you would miss if you were in a car; things like wildflowers, monarch butterflies, and leaf prints on pavement.”

Catherine’s proudest fitness accomplishment is completing the Salina Crossroads Marathon on November 8, 2025. She trained for 21 weeks - a huge commitment that required focus and consistency for five months.

“I had never imagined running a marathon,” she admits. Years ago, she completed a few half marathons and decided she would never do another because they were too painful.

That mindset shifted after a friend shared how meaningful the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon was. “I elbowed my husband and said, ‘We should do that sometime!’” Catherine says. “I didn’t really mean now.” But her husband did. They began training, completed the OKC Memorial Half Marathon in April 2025, and eventually—thanks to encouragement from their nephew—decided to take on a full marathon. Crossing that finish line was something Catherine once thought she’d never do.

Looking ahead, Catherine’s goals are focused on building strength and lifting heavier. She works on this during strength classes at Orange Theory and keeps a journal of the weights she uses so she can continue to challenge herself. She has also registered for the Oklahoma City Memorial Half Marathon in April 2026 and plans to begin training in January.

The NWP team played a role in helping Catherine reach her goals. Dr. Allison helped her learn how to lift safely and build confidence in using heavier weights. When Catherine shared that she was thinking about running a full marathon, the response was immediate support. “Dr. Allison immediately said, ‘You can do it!’” Dr. Kiersten echoed that encouragement, reassuring her that it was a reasonable goal with proper recovery. Catherine also credits regular PT care for helping her manage the aches and issues that came with increased training, and she’s thankful for Rebekah’s guidance with nutrition and fueling.

Community has been a huge part of Catherine’s success. She attends Orange Theory Fitness three to four times per week and is especially grateful for the 6:15 a.m. crew. “Some of them have worked through injuries alongside me; it’s inspiring to see,” she says. Her Strava community, including her husband, also helped keep her motivated throughout marathon training.

One fun fact many people don’t know about Catherine: she and her husband completed the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage across Spain in 2015.

Her advice for others who feel intimidated by big goals is simple and encouraging: “Try the Galloway Run-Walk-Run method if the distance seems impossible. The walks feel like a real respite, even if only for 30 seconds.”

Catherine, we are so proud of you. Your steady effort, positive mindset, and trust in the process are inspiring. Thank you for letting us be part of your journey! We’re honored to celebrate you as our December Athlete of the Month.