Meet Dr. Michael Van Portfliet of MoveLab

This interview is part of the We Love Erie Business Collective Get to Know the Owner series.

Today, we’re excited to introduce Dr. Michael Van Portfliet, PT, DPT, OCS, founder of MoveLab Physical Therapy and Sports Performance, one of Downtown Erie’s newest businesses, redefining what performance, recovery, and personalized care look like.

With more than 10 years of experience and board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS), Dr. Michael blends deep clinical expertise with a passion for helping people move better, recover fully, and live without limits. MoveLab was created with a clear mission: build a space where clients feel heard, valued, and fully supported from start to finish.

About MoveLab Physical Therapy & Sports Performance

MoveLab is not your typical physical therapy clinic.Each visit includes 60 minutes of one-on-one care with a board-certified specialist, ensuring personalized attention, comprehensive evaluation, and treatment designed specifically for the individual. Not a rushed, high-volume experience.

Using his proprietary REACH Method, Dr. Michael focuses on:

• Identifying the true root cause of pain

• Easing symptoms efficiently

• Building long-term strength and resilience

• Empowering clients to exceed their goals

Whether someone is recovering from injury, improving athletic performance, or simply wanting to move better in everyday life, MoveLab is designed to deliver meaningful, lasting results.

As a former Division I athlete at the University of Northern Colorado turned family man and movement enthusiast, Michael understands firsthand the importance of performance, longevity, and resilience, not just in sport, but in life.

Get to Know Michael

Dr. Michael earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Regis University. After two years of clinical practice, he completed the rigorous examination process to earn his Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) certification, a distinction that reflects advanced knowledge and expertise in orthopedic care.

After 11 years in traditional clinical settings, Michael saw both the strengths and limitations of high-volume care models.

“You gain a lot of experience and a lot of reps,” he explains, “but often at the cost of time and space needed to provide truly optimal care.”

That realization led him to open MoveLab.

Here, he offers full-hour visits, appropriate equipment, and a continuum of care that supports clients from the acute phase of injury all the way through full functional return and beyond. His philosophy isn’t just about getting patients back to where they were before injury; it’s about helping them surpass that level.

For Michael, “living without limits” means refusing to cap someone at their previous baseline.

“It’s not just stopping at your prior level. You may have aspirations to go beyond what you were before. We don’t want to limit performance to just pre-injury levels; we want to exceed them.”

As both a former athlete and now a father, he understands how important it is to stay active, strong, and pain-free through every stage of life. His goal is simple: help people move forward with confidence.

Why Erie?

While Michael and his family currently live in Firestone, Erie has long been home to their daily life and community.

His wife, Janelle, has been teaching in Erie for approximately 15 years, and their daughters attend school here. After spending time practicing in South Denver, Michael felt called back to the area because of their deep connections and love for the community.

“Erie has always felt like home. Our life is here.”

Opening in Downtown Erie felt like the right next step.

Michael appreciates the walkability, the ability to grab coffee or dinner nearby, and the strong sense of small business camaraderie. He sees Erie as a community that truly supports local entrepreneurs.

“Erie has so much to offer small businesses. There’s a real heart for supporting local, and We Love Erie has been a huge part of that.”

MoveLab was also a recipient of a Downtown Grant from the Town of Erie, which helped support buildout costs and startup improvements.

“That grant made a huge difference. Because of that support, I feel a responsibility to pay it forward and to invest back into this community and be part of Erie’s growth.”

A Community-Focused Approach to Care

At its core, MoveLab is about partnership. Michael works alongside clients to ensure they understand what’s happening in their bodies, what steps are needed to improve, and how to build long-term resilience. It’s about education, empowerment, and helping people feel confident in their movement again.

As Erie continues to grow, businesses like MoveLab strengthen the local ecosystem by providing high-quality, specialized services close to home, keeping families active, athletes performing, and community members thriving.

Learn More

To learn more about MoveLab Physical Therapy & Sports Performance or schedule an evaluation, visit: movelabphysicaltherapy.com

Please join us in welcoming MoveLab to Erie and supporting a local business committed to helping our community move, recover, and exceed what they thought was possible.

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MoveLab Physical Therapy & Sports Performance is a proud Growth Member of the WLE.