Climbing Mount Quandary: A Personal Journey Back to Possibility

The sun was bright and the air was crisp as we began our hike up Mount Quandary—one of Colorado’s classic 14ers. This wasn’t just a recreational outing for me. It was something more personal.

I’m Dr. Joel Cherdack, and I want to share a glimpse into what’s possible when regenerative medicine lives up to its potential—not just in theory, but in real life.

Why I Chose the Mountain Over the Office

I’ve filmed plenty of videos from inside a clinic. But this time, I wanted something different. Colorado offers a powerful visual metaphor: these mountains represent challenges, transformation, and growth. What better place to talk about healing than here?

So, Ty and I took to the trail. He’s the one behind the camera—and also the person who helps our patients coordinate care. The two of us decided to climb Mount Quandary not just for the view, but because we’ve both experienced firsthand the difference that stem cell therapy can make.

Our Stories

About six months ago, I had stem cell therapy for my neck. Chronic pain used to limit my movement—especially looking up or hiking uphill. Ty had regenerative treatment as well: both knees and hips about a year ago.

As we climbed, he laughed and said, “Last year, I couldn’t even walk up my driveway without pain.”

And it’s true. Neither of us would be here today without those procedures. Personally, there’s no way I could be tackling this elevation gain if my neck still hurt the way it used to.

The Real Impact

I won’t pretend that regenerative treatment erases every symptom. I still feel a little tightness or soreness now and then, especially with weather changes or after a long day. But what matters most is that I can move again. I can live again. That’s the measure of success—not just clinical improvements, but the return of real-world function.

At one point on the trail, Ty asked how my neck was doing. I realized I hadn’t thought about it in over an hour. That’s when it really sank in: I wasn’t just managing pain—I was free from it.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just about climbing mountains. It’s about reclaiming the parts of life you thought were lost.

I see so many patients who come in thinking they’ll never hike again, never run again, never toss a football with their kids or grandkids again. But we’re proof that healing is possible. With the right approach, your body has an incredible ability to recover.

Stem cell therapy isn’t magic. But when done correctly, with the right protocols and expertise, it can help restore quality of life. That’s the goal—not perfection, but potential.

Whether your mountain is a 14,000-foot summit or just getting back to walking around the block, we’re here to help you climb it.

We’ll film more when we reach the top, but for now, I just wanted to share this moment—because sometimes, living proof is the most powerful message of all.