Our Team
John Pugh
DPT, ATC, SCS
Physical Therapy // Co-Founder
John received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Elon University in 2009, following a BS in Athletic Training from Lenoir-Rhyne College. With his Board Certification in Sports Physical Therapy in 2014, John is the only Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist in Western Maryland. He played collegiate baseball while attending Lenoir-Rhyne and has carried his passion for sports into his physical therapy practice.
John uses his expertise in biomechanics, fundamental movement, corrective exercise, and manual therapy to address muscle imbalances, muscle and joint restrictions, as well as strength and motor control deficits to improve human performance. He enjoys working with injured athletes of any age and takes pride in returning them to their sport at a higher level than before. John is also a Titleist Performance Institute Certified Level 2 Medical Practitioner, SFMA Certified Level 1 practitioner, and affectionately known as the “Dad” by our EPI clients.
Thomas Burge
MS, CSCS, PES, FMS
Performance Trainer // Co-Founder
Thomas received his BS in Exercise Sport Studies and Health Sciences in 2006 from Guilford College. He moved on to earn his Masters of Exercise Science with a focus on Injury Prevention and Human Performance from California University of Pennsylvania in 2008.
While attending Guilford college, Thomas was a starter and team captain for the Guilford basketball team who went to the Elite 8, NCAA Division III basketball tournament and finished the season with a 24-5 record his senior year. He carried that competitive passion and attitude into his coaching career at multiple gyms in North Carolina, Tennessee, and now Maryland. Education, experience and practice has lead Coach Burge to drill basics in biomechanics, corrective exercise, and fundamental athletic movement to prepare athletes of all ages to get ready for their sport. He believes mental and physical performance are improved through the process of training and he takes pride in getting athletes to perform their best. Thomas holds the Certified Strength and Conditioning Certification through the NSCA, Performance Enhancement Specialist through the NASM, the Functional Movement Screen certification through the FMS, and whereas John is called “the Dad” by their EPI clients, Thomas is pleased to be known as “the cool older brother.”
Brian Pikerowski
PTA, LMT, CKTP
Brian is our physical therapist assistant, graduating from Allegany College of Maryland in 2006 with an Associates Degree in Applied Science, He has spent his career treating in outpatient orthopedic rehabilitation facilities, with a focus on athletic injuries and orthopedic disorders. In addition to being a PTA, Brian has been a licensed massage therapist for over 20 years, holding a certification from the Virginia School of Massage. With experience and certifications in Kinesio taping and cupping, Brian utilizes many forms of treatment to help meet patient goals. As a former high school, college and semi-professional football player, he understands the need & importance to perform at a high level.
Brian’s knowledge and experiences have honed his manual skills, improving his ability to restore range of motion and facilitate pain free function. He’s honestly one the premier therapists in the tri-state area & we’re proud to have “Guns Piknasty” (or “The Pik” for short) on board at EPI!
Isaac Lowe
BS, CSCS
Isaac is a performance coach, graduating from Liberty University with a degree in Exercise Science, specifically focused in Strength and Conditioning. With over a decade of consistent training experience and a strong background in athletic performance and development, Isaac is fully dedicated to working with athletes to bring them closer to their full potential.
Throughout high school and into college, Isaac was a nationally competing powerlifter, setting multiple records for his age and weight in both the USAPL and USPC federations. Playing a variety of sports throughout his life, and going on to play Ultimate at the collegiate level, Isaac’s diverse athletic background and understanding of different training methods has helped mold his own unique training approach, which he uses daily to better our clients. Isaac also proudly holds the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification through the NSCA, and is comedically referred to as “Unc” by our EPI athletes.
Meghan Byers
DPT
Meghan is a Physical Therapist who earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Promotions and Exercise Science from Shepherd University, where she was a Division II soccer goalkeeper. Her love for sports and her own personal experience with Physical Therapy from two ACL reconstructions as a young athlete led her to pursue her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Elon University. There, she combined her clinical training with research focused on athletic performance. Eager to deepen her understanding of how athletes move and perform, she focused her research studies on Division I athletes at Elon.
EPI holds a special place in Meghan’s heart, as she not only completed her own rehabilitation there and has spent years involved in the strength training side of the clinic, but she was one of EPI’s very first patients. Experiencing firsthand the impact of expert care and dedicated training solidified her passion for helping athletes return to their sport stronger and more resilient. With a deep passion for working with athletes of all ages and sports, Meghan is committed to helping them regain strength, mobility, and confidence, ensuring they return to their sport stronger and better than ever.
Lessons from the GYM
