Cristin Zeisler (Dr. Z), JD, OTD, OTR/L, AMPS, ITOT

CEO & Director of Therapy

After practicing law for over a dozen years (and building a nationally recognized and award-winning pro bono program along the way), Cristin suffered a catastrophic brain injury in 2011. Her medical team doubted she would survive her emergency craniotomy. After she managed to live, they “hoped” to get her back to a level of function that would allow her to work as a grocery store clerk. 

Not inspired by that vision for her future, she embarked upon creating her own therapeutic protocols, with considerable help from Coach Ron. The carefully calibrated cycling and sensory integration program that they developed not only enabled her to return to her law practice, it ultimately inspired her to act far more boldly -- to dive headlong (pun intended) into the professional world of neurorehabilitation research and therapy!

Cristin pursued specialty training at the Motor Behavior and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory, the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (spinal cord and TBI unit), the Centre for Neuro Skills, and at a Federally Qualified Health Center where she developed a first-of-its kind functional vision screening program. In 2018, she completed her doctoral residency at USC’s Brain & Creativity Institute in partnership with the Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy. 

In addition to being a Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Cristin has received specialty certifications in assessment of motor and process skills, preventing dementia, and treating concussions. She is currently undertaking post-doctoral fellowship work with the Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) relating to the dynamic treatment of post-TBI visual perceptual disruptions. 

Dr. Z does this work because she “gets it” -- from all angles. She also does this because she cannot think of a better thing to do than building better brains and riding bikes. When she’s not doing those things, she prefers to travel to foreign lands (35 countries and counting!) but she’ll settle for hanging out with her dog, Zolie, or her trivia team, JC’s Bacon Dream. They aren’t very good, but they have a lot of fun.

Ronald Peterson (Coach Ron), COTA, USAC-Level 2

CFO & Director of Outreach

Mr. Peterson’s competitive cycling career spanned over 20 years, and included eight California and Colorado State Championships, racing in Europe, and reaching the highest levels of U.S. domestic racing. After retiring from racing, he started a coaching and bike-fitting company. Over the past 17+ years he has worked with over 1,000 cyclists of all levels -- from new amateurs and local college teams to professional racers and Olympic champions, including many who have overcome, adapted to, or successfully reintegrated themselves following injuries of various types and severity.

 Ron is personally motivated to work with individuals who have sustained brain injuries as his father passed away in 2016 following a brain injury incurred after being struck by a car while cycling. This event, coupled with witnessing and guiding Cristin’s recovery efforts, is what prompted the two co-founders to conceive of the Cognition Center and inspired Ron’s pursuit of Occupational Therapy Assistant certification. 

Ron’s background as a successful competitive cyclist, coach and entrepreneur combined with his passion for understanding the science of -- well, everything! -- makes him an ideal guide for folks who seek to optimize their lives. Ron likes cats and rock climbing and super-nerd type gaming.

Both Dr. Zeisler and Mr. Peterson are certified instructors for the Project HERO (Healing Exercise Rehabilitation Opportunity) endeavor, which was funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. Dr. Z and Coach Ron actively seek and participate in research and other programs designed to facilitate greater outreach to individuals with brain injuries and those in community with them.