Nathan Kizer enjoys the outdoors — kayaking, rock climbing and mountain biking — but moved to Golden to join Acupuncture Specialists of Golden. To learn more about the business, visit www.acuspecialistsofgolden.com. Courtesy photo

A new Goldenite

I am a licensed acupuncturist. I joined my partner Erik Gasner at his practice, Acupuncture Specialists of Golden, last March. I came here from North Carolina.

Erik and I were both kayaking instructors at a kids’ camp years and years ago. We eventually got back in touch, and I found out that he had just started the practice — and I was completing my education in acupuncture.

I visited Golden, and he mentioned he was adding a partner and I made the move.

For the love of the outdoors

I live about a mile from the office. Erik and I have hours listed on the website, but mostly we work by appointment. It allows flexibility for our patients. Most days, we work from noon to 7 p.m., which helps us cater to the people who work a nine-to-five job. It’s nice to have flexibility for people, and be able to enjoy my time outdoors.

I’ve been a kayaker for 18 years. Moving here shortened my season, but that has opened me up to other hobbies I’ve always enjoyed, such as mountain biking and rock climbing.

I climb as much as I can. I like Clear Creek and El Dorado Canyon, and I’ve done a little bit in the Flatirons.

Healing people for a living

I’ve been doing martial arts for about 30 years. But mostly I do tai chi and yoga these days.

I got into martial arts as a kid because I had scoliosis. A teacher told me that if I’m going to learn to break things, I’m going to need to learn to fix them, too. At that point, I started studying Tuina, which is a form of Chinese massage. It kind of went from there.

Acupuncture has always fascinated me. It’s nice to be able to heal people for my job.

I’m really enjoying Golden. Everyone here has such an active lifestyle. It’s great to be able to help them maintain that.