Hi, I'm Ben McCombs, the face behind Fortified Strides. 

I founded Fortified Strides to bridge a gap I’ve seen far too often: runners being cleared from rehab only to find themselves "stuck" or hesitant when trying to return to the performance levels they love.

As a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and Physical Therapist, I’ve spent my career helping people recover from injury. But as a lifelong competitive runner, I know that simply being "out of pain" isn't the same as being ready to crush a PR or tackle a technical trail.

The Bridge to Your Best Performance

My approach combines clinical expertise with a coach’s mindset. I specialize in that "grey area" where traditional physical therapy ends but high-level training begins. My goal is to take the guesswork out of your return to running by:

• Translating Rehab to the Road: Turning clinical exercises into powerful, running-specific movements.

• Building Resilience: Identifying the biomechanical gaps that keep you in a cycle of "niggles" so you can train with confidence.

• Performance-First Coaching: Using my background in biomedical biology and orthopedic care to design a plan that honors your injury history while pushing your athletic limits.

Why I Do This

Whether I’m chasing my own goals on the trails or spending time with my wife and three kids here in Southern Utah, movement is a constant in my life. I want to help you reclaim that same freedom—moving you from "recovered" to fortified.

Ready to stop wondering if you’re ready and start training like you are?