Sam is a co-founder of CompanAIn, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and a former Division I athlete whose career has been shaped by a passion for performance, innovation, and healthy aging. His canine companion, Ralston, has been an early adopter of Leap Years®, incorporating the supplement into her daily routine for nearly three years as part of a proactive approach to healthy aging.
When it comes to Ralston, our philosophy is simple: be proactive rather than reactive in addressing age-related changes.
I work with many people who have been dealing with chronic pain for years. Over time, they often develop compensatory movement patterns that allow them to continue functioning despite discomfort. As humans, we’re naturally inclined to find the path of least resistance. While those compensations may be beneficial in the short term, they can become problematic over time.
Question 01
As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, you’ve spent your career helping people move better. How has that experience influenced the way you think about movement, mobility, and long-term health for Ralston?
As funny as it may sound, I regularly stretch her limbs and perform gentle joint mobilizations for her spine, shoulders, hips, and other joints to help maintain mobility and function. I also use a human-grade infrared laser, which helps reduce inflammation, promote collagen production, and stimulate cellular activity.
Just as I use nutrition and supplementation to address deficiencies, support recovery, and manage inflammation in my own body, we take a similar approach with Ralston.
One product that has made a noticeable difference for her is Leap Years®. Given her active lifestyle, we wanted to be proactive about supporting her joint health. As she’s gotten older, we began to notice she was losing her “spunk.” Since starting Leap Years®, however, we’ve seen that “spunk” come back.
Question 02
When you think about keeping Ralston active as she ages, what does “intentional movement” look like in your daily routine together?
With Ralston, I try to vary her movement and exercise as much as possible. Some days, that means steady-state conditioning on longer runs with me. Other days, it means more anaerobic work through sprints, jumps, and play in the field. And of course, her favorite is getting wet and swimming, which is great for aerobic conditioning while reducing the load on her joints.
The goal is to keep her body challenged in different ways while supporting long-term strength, mobility, and overall health.
Question 03
Many people associate movement with intense exercise, but your work emphasizes consistency and sustainability. How do you apply that philosophy to CompanAIn?
I always tell patients, especially those recovering from surgery, that rehab is a marathon, not a sprint. That perspective helps them understand the process and stay focused on long-term outcomes rather than short-term frustrations.
When working with patients, I believe it’s critical to establish SMART goals: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely.
An old colleague of mine used to say, “This is a minor setback for a major comeback.” That mindset has always resonated with me because it prevents people from getting stuck in difficult moments and gives them the confidence to keep moving forward.
These same principles guide how we operate at CompanAIn. Setting both short-term and long-term goals allows us to maintain a clear vision of where we’re headed while creating meaningful milestones along the way. As a startup, you hear “no” often, and doors inevitably get shut in your face. But we never allow those moments to distract us from our larger mission. Relentlessness and resilience are core values that define who we are.
“As Ralston ages, being intentional about activity and exercise, optimizing her diet, and supplementing with Leap Years® becomes increasingly important.”
Question 04
You take a proactive approach to long-term health and wellness. How do daily movement habits and supplements like Leap Years® work together to support Ralston’s healthy aging journey?
Personally, staying active and moving regularly benefits me not only physically, but mentally as well. Pushing myself outside of my comfort zone instills a sense of accomplishment and helps maintain a positive mindset. The joy I see on Ralston’s face when we’re out running together or when she’s swimming undoubtedly has a positive impact on her overall health and well-being.
Looking ahead
Taking a proactive approach to your dog’s health also means having the right insights to make informed decisions. That’s where platforms like CompanAIn come in. CompanAIn helps pet parents better understand, manage, and support their dogs’ health at home and in between vet visits. With intelligent technology and personalized, contextual resources, the platform empowers pet parents to capture changes, anticipate needs, and act confidently.
