OUR EXPERTS
Charlotte's Best
Sports Physical Therapists
Our goal is to help our clients live a high performance, pain-free life. If you play sports professionally, we’ll help you recover from injury and stay healthy while you train. If you love lifting weights or CrossFit, we’ll get you back in the gym and keep you there, so you can enjoy quality time with your friends/team. If you’re a runner and have aspirations of completing your first half marathon, we’ll help you accomplish that goal!
Move Better. Train Harder. Live Pain-Free.
This is who we are.
Dr. Andrew Kenas
PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, FAAOMPT, CSCS, USAW
Owner & Founder
Dr. Andrew had a vision. He knew the traditional model was broken and change was needed — thus, The Charlotte Athlete was born. He wanted a company where the best PTs in the country could come together, make a major impact on the community, and help athletes get past pain and injuries in a way they deserve. Here we solve the root cause of pain, help athletes crush their goals, and pave the way for them to take their bodies to the next level! Let’s do this!!!
Dr. Andrew graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology from Arizona State University in 2009 and Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in 2014. Upon graduation, Dr. Kenas moved to Houston Texas where he completed an Orthopedic Residency from Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, and soon after, a Sports Manual Therapy Fellowship from the Institute for Athlete Regeneration. Through these expert programs, Dr. Andrew evolved into a highly sought after clinician with unparalleled skills in manual therapy, movement analysis, injury prevention, recovery, and human performance.
He’s dual board certified in orthopedics (OCS) and sports (SCS) specialties and holds certifications as a strength and conditioning specialists (CSCS), United States Weight Coach (USAW), and Sports Nutritionist (CISSN). This rare combination makes Dr. Andrew one of the highest credentialed physical therapists in the country. Dr. Andrew also coaches and teaches physical therapists, and has worked with dozens of professional (NFL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLS) and collegiate organizations from around the country!
His advanced treatment methodology allows him to not only efficiently diagnose his patients but uncover and treat the underlying cause. This allows him to achieve quick improvements, but also long-term results. His eclectic approach allows him to succeed where other practitioners have failed, and help athletes reach a level that was otherwise not attainable.
Dr. Andrew is an athlete himself, passionate about CrossFit and Olympic Weight Lifting. He loves to travel, explore the great outdoors, and hang with his dog, Moose!
Dr. Leah Roten
PT, DPT, OCS, CSOMT, DNcert, CF-L1, AIT
Dr. Leah is passionate about helping athletes stay active and perform at their best—whether they’re recovering from injury or striving to reach the next level. She believes Physical therapy isn’t just about rehab; it’s a tool to enhance performance, prevent injury, and keep you doing what you love for life. With a personalized, holistic approach, Dr. Leah is here to help you train smarter, move better, and stay in the game—now and for the long run.
Dr. Leah Roten was born and raised in Galena, Ohio. She played softball for the nationally ranked Indiana Magic Gold and is a former collegiate shortstop for Walsh University. Growing up an avid athlete on the field and in the weight room, she acquired a fair amount of injuries. Her ultimate goal was always to return to sport at peak capacity in order to compete at her highest level. This is what drove Leah to obtain her undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from Walsh, and Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy at The Ohio State University. Here, she conducted research on shoulder loading for softball pitchers and implications for injury/injury prevention. During her education at Ohio State, Leah acquired certifications in Dry Needling (DN-L1), Adaptive and Inclusive Training (AIT), and is a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1). Her hunger to further enhance her knowledge and skills to be an elite-level sports physical therapist, quickly led Leah to enroll in the Sports and Orthopedic Manual Therapy Fellowship through the Institute for Athlete Regeneration.
Leah knows what it is like to be sidelined from her favorite sports, activities, and the gym. She remains an athlete and has always strived to train hard within her sport and lifting regimen. With this being said, she is passionate about helping other athletes achieve their peak performance through the process of rehabilitation and prevention. She utilizes a holistic approach to identify and treat to the root cause of one’s injury (whether acute or chronic) and ensure that it does not return. She thrives on turning a setback into a comeback in whatever one’s fitness journey may look like.
Leah continues to participate in CrossFit, traditional bodybuilding, and endurance cycles for her current strength and performance training. You will catch her throwing out movie and Spongebob quotes at the clinic. Leah is big on family and enjoys spending time with her parents, brother, and family German Shepherd (Gonzo). In her free time, you can find Leah doing basically any activity that allows her to be outside. She thoroughly enjoys hiking and has developed an ongoing bucket list of hikes to complete across the nation (recommendations accepted).
Dr. Marissa Faroni
PT, DPT, CF-1, SMTC, DNcert
“Move it or lose it” is one of Dr. Marissa’s favorite sayings. She believes that movement is medicine and healing comes in all different forms whether for a pre-existing condition or in the realm of prevention. Competitive by nature, Marissa is passionate in optimizing health as much as possible in order to stay in the game. Whether you’re dealing with an injury or looking to enhance performance, Dr. Marissa brings the energy, precision, and athlete-first mindset to help you push past your limits and thrive in your sport.
Dr. Marissa is a born and raised Yankee from Upstate NY where she graduated with honors from Utica University. Marissa received her B.S in Healthcare Science and minor in Healthcare Ethics in 2019 and later went on to pursue her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in ’21, all while playing on the women’s volleyball team.
During her time at Utica, Marissa conducted research regarding increasing lung capacity in healthy adults for endurance related sports such as swimming or cycling. Following graduation, Marissa quickly made the leap to move south to purse opportunities outside of her comfort zone. Marissa has received certifications in Dry Needling (DN-L1), Emergency Medical Response (EMRA), and is enrolled in the Sports and Orthopedic Manual Therapy Fellowship through the Institute for Athlete Regeneration.
Outside of the office Marissa enjoys skiing, CrossFit, cooking, and being with her family and friends. Marissa is forever-seeking local recommendations for good-eats (preferably Italian) as well as books to add to her reading list.
Dr. Max Francisco
PT, DPT
Dr. Max is passionate about helping athletes and active individuals stay in the game and perform at their highest level. No matter if you’re bouncing back after an injury, trying to stay active without pain, or pushing to reach your next level of performance, Dr. Max is dedicated to helping every patient build confidence in their body and get back to doing what they love.
Dr. Michelle Case
PT, DPT, CSCS, DNcert
Dr. Michelle is your go-to PT for all things sports. No matter your injury, she’s extremely passionate about setting her patient’s up with an individualized plan so they will excel when getting back in the game. She’s our go-to expert for swimmers and overhead athletes. When not in the clinic, you can catch her at the pool, exploring different beaches, or perfecting her skills at mini golf!
Dr. Michelle was born and raised in Fort Mill, SC where she participated in cross country, track and swimming. She has a twin brother & older brother so she grew up very competitive. Ultimately Dr. Michelle fell in love with swimming and was able to pursue it in college at Campbell University, while majoring in Kinesiology and minoring in psychology. She also coached swimming from summer league to high school as well as USA club teams for about 10 years now (hard to keep her away from the water).
After undergrad Dr. Michelle began to pursue her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Wingate University. During this, she also got Certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist. While working on her degree, she decided to compete again in swimming to try and achieve an Olympic Trial cut. Dr. Michelle was able to attend the US OPEN in 2021 and after narrowly missing the cut in the 50 meter freestyle, so she decided to keep training until 2024!
Dr. Michlle loves striving to be the best she can be. Along the way she experienced many minor setbacks and enjoyed knowing how to heal from and prevent future ones from the education & experience she gained. This motivated her to want to help others do the same with their own personal challenges. She has always loved the process & grind behind goals and is very passionate in helping others enjoy the process along the way to achieve their own goals! Dr. Michelle loves the quote “Be where your feet are” because it helps make the most of the moment you’re in.
In her free time Dr. Michelle loves lifting weights and spending time outside, specifically at the beach, but really just in the sun in general. She believes if swimming wasn’t her top choice of sport she would have been a professional mini golfer or beach volleyball player (skills are a work in progress). If she’s am not at the pool or gym you can find her hanging out with friends, hanging with her pet lizard Norman, or just relaxing and watching some TV shows.
FUN FACT: I used to have four pet ducks named Kyle, Stanley, Charlie & Morris!
Dr. Andrew Zabala
PT, DPT CSCS, ACSM, DNcert, CPT
Dr. Z lives & breathes sports rehab and athletic performance! He is a driven clinician with a strong passion for helping athletes of all levels receive the expert care that they deserve and reach their peak potential. Dr. Z has a proficiency for combat sports rehab but admires all sports equally and always goes the extra mile to make sure you can keep doing what you love!
Campbell Schully
Operations Manager
Meet Campbell, the welcoming face and organizational powerhouse at The Charlotte Athlete. A Texas Tech grad and dedicated partner-athlete, she brings a passion for health, clear communication, and exceptional service to our team. Whether she’s assisting clients, supporting the team, or keeping the clinic running smoothly, Campbell ensures every visit starts with a smile and runs seamlessly.
Her interest in long-term health motivated Campbell to join The Charlotte Athlete team where she strives to maintain an exceptional level of customer service and supports all of the physical therapists’ daily tasks. You can find Campbell at one of the CrossFit Mecklenburg morning classes with her husband.
In her free time, Campbell scours Youtube to hone her homemade barista skills, finds squirrel-filled parks to take her two dogs to, and constantly seeks ways to get outside by-way-of paddleboarding, biking, backpacking, and hiking. She graduated from Texas Tech University in 2020 with a B.S. in Agricultural Communications.
Moose
President?
Arff arff
Find out what makes us Charlotte's Best.
We’re changing the Charlotte Physical Therapy game. Check out how we’re doing it and what’s different than your traditional Physical Therapy experience.
WE'RE DOCTORS, EDUCATORS, & ATHLETES
At The Charlotte Athlete, we’re passionate about serving our community and continually growing in our profession. We travel locally and nationally to collaborate with collegiate and professional sports organizations, sharing advanced physical therapy concepts and hands-on skills with their clinicians. For us, teaching isn’t just part of the job—it’s a key step toward true mastery.
