Inspiring Conversations with Denae Preuhs of DP Performance

Today we’d like to introduce you to Denae Preuhs.

Hi Denae, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story started long before I ever knew what “bodywork” or “movement coaching” was. I grew up as a multi-sport athlete — softball, soccer, cross country, volleyball — but softball was my true love. It carried me all the way to the collegiate level, where discipline, drive, and performance were everything.

After college and through the pandemic, I shifted my focus to powerlifting — pushing my body to new limits. I was lifting over 300 pounds in both my squat and deadlift — not bad for a 5’2” girl who lived for the challenge. But those long training sessions came with a cost. I’d finish workouts lying on the floor, decompressing my back for 30 minutes before I could even drive home.

Back pain ran in my family — my dad jokingly calls himself the “bionic man,” and my brothers have battled injuries too. But I never thought I’d join the club so soon.

One ordinary day, while doing the dishes, I sneezed… and suddenly, everything changed. Two discs in my lower back bulged, sending me straight to the floor in pain. I remember crawling to grab my phone, terrified and unsure what had just happened.

In an instant, walking, showering, even getting in and out of the car became a struggle. I thought my athletic lifestyle — the thing that had always defined me — was over.

That injury forced me to slow down for the first time in my life. I couldn’t out-train it, push through it, or ignore it like I used to. I had to relearn what it meant to move — not as an athlete chasing numbers, but as a human trying to feel normal again.

I spent months learning about the body on a deeper level — not just the muscles, but the fascia, the nervous system, and the way everything connects. I tried every form of recovery imaginable: physical therapy, chiropractic work, massage, mobility, and movement retraining. But what truly changed everything was understanding why my body was reacting the way it was.

Slowly, I built myself back up from the ground — literally. I focused on breathing, alignment, and foundational strength. I learned how to decompress my spine, restore control, and move with intention. And the more I healed, the more passionate I became about helping others do the same.

That’s when DP Performance was born — a space for former athletes and active people who feel “stuck” in their pain to finally move strong again. Today, I combine bodywork, corrective movement, and strength training to bridge the gap between pain and performance.

Because I know what it’s like to lose the body you once trusted — and what it takes to rebuild it stronger than before.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, it was one of the hardest seasons of my life. I went from feeling unstoppable — lifting heavy, training hard, living in the gym — to barely being able to tie my shoes. The physical pain was intense, but the mental side hit even harder.

There were days I questioned if I’d ever move normally again, or if I’d always have to be careful and afraid of my own body. Progress wasn’t linear — some weeks I felt unstoppable, and others I’d flare up doing something as simple as bending over.

I had to unlearn my old mindset of “push harder” and replace it with “move smarter.” That was uncomfortable at first, because slowing down felt like losing. But that’s where the growth happened — in the patience, in the awareness, in understanding that healing isn’t weakness.

Learning how to trust my body again took time, discipline, and humility. But that process shaped who I am as a coach — because now, when I work with someone in pain, I know exactly what that fear feels like… and I know that it is possible to rebuild stronger.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
DP Performance is all about bridging the gap between pain and performance. I specialize in helping former athletes and active individuals who’ve been sidelined by pain — especially low back and sciatic pain — rebuild strength, restore movement, and get back to doing what they love without fear of flaring up.

What sets DP Performance apart is the hybrid approach. I don’t just focus on traditional training or just recovery — I combine both. My background in bodywork and movement coaching allows me to assess how the body’s fascia, nervous system, and muscular system work together. From there, I build personalized programs that retrain the body to move efficiently, reduce pain, and perform better long-term.

At the end of the day, I’m known for helping people feel aligned again — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether that’s through 1:1 pain-free coaching, corrective movement work, or education online, my mission is to help people move strong and live pain-free without giving up their active lifestyle.

What’s next?
The future of DP Performance is all about expansion and accessibility. I’m focused on creating more opportunities for people to experience what it feels like to move strong and pain-free — no matter where they live.

In the coming months, I’ll be hosting live classes and workshops that blend recovery and movement — helping people learn how to manage pain, improve mobility, and build strength in real time. I’m also developing self-paced online courses designed to guide people step-by-step through their pain-free journey, making it easier for busy professionals and former athletes to stay consistent.

Beyond that, you’ll see more community events and pop-ups, bringing together the recovery and fitness worlds in one space. My goal is to make DP Performance not just a coaching brand, but a movement — helping people understand that healing doesn’t mean slowing down… it means rebuilding the right way.

Pricing:

• Online Coaching
• In-Person Bodywork Sessions
• Community Events
• FaceBook Community- Stretch Your Potential

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dpreuhsperformance.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denaepreuhs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C7PUEATVR/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DenaePreuhsPerformance
• Other: https://app.gohighlevel.com/v2/preview/YOaEzV0zC1cKg0xFvtNj?notrack=true