#strongtotheend


MEET OUR TEAM

Our team comprises highly skilled professionals in various areas of expertise, along with dedicated community members, all working towards offering exceptional health, wellness, training, and sports services.

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Dr. Jeffrey Batis (DC)

  • Dr. Jeff's Bio

    Dr. Jeffrey Batis brings a decade and a half of specialized experience in exercise rehabilitation and program design to his role as founder and lead clinician at SkanStrength.


    His educational foundation includes a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from SUNY Cortland, a Doctorate of Chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College, and a Certificate in Sports Science & Human Performance. This comprehensive training provides him with an integrated understanding of movement, rehabilitation, and long-term health outcomes that extends well beyond conventional fitness credentials.


    Dr. Batis has developed particular expertise in working with complex cases requiring specialized attention: disease management, post-injury rehabilitation, and conditions that respond to targeted exercise interventions. His clinical experience spans diverse populations and presentations, from managing musculoskeletal conditions and chronic diseases like Parkinson's and osteoporosis, to designing recovery protocols for surgical patients and developing strength programs for aging adult


    His methodology emphasizes evidence-based programming, individualized assessment, and progressive adaptation—ensuring that each client receives appropriate interventions tailored to their specific circumstances, limitations, and objectives. This approach has established him as a trusted resource for individuals requiring expert guidance in navigating complex health and fitness challenges.


    Dr. Batis's work reflects a commitment to elevating standards in exercise rehabilitation and fitness programming through advanced education, clinical precision, and a focus on measurable, sustainable outcomes.

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Dr. Taylor Flanick (DC)

  • Dr. Taylor's Bio

    Dr. Taylor Flanick is a Doctor of Chiropractic and the founder of SkanStrength's integrative healing services, bringing over a decade of clinical excellence to her practice. Her approach seamlessly blends traditional chiropractic care with advanced exercise rehabilitation, specialized therapeutic techniques, and a deep understanding of human performance—creating a uniquely comprehensive model of wellness care.


    Dr. Taylor's clinical expertise spans an extraordinarily diverse patient population, reflecting both her versatility and commitment to serving those who need her most. She has developed specialized protocols for individuals with complex conditions including Parkinson's Disease, cancer, osteoporosis, paralysis, and chronic musculoskeletal disorders, while simultaneously working with high school, collegiate, and professional athletes on injury recovery, performance optimization, and prevention strategies.


    What distinguishes Dr. Taylor in her field is her integrative philosophy. She doesn't just treat symptoms—she addresses the whole person. Her practice incorporates expertise in exercise physiology, nutrition science, and evidence-based healing modalities, allowing her to create individualized treatment plans that go far beyond conventional chiropractic care. This multidimensional approach has made her a trusted resource for patients navigating everything from post-surgical rehabilitation to chronic pain management to athletic peak performance.


    Beyond her clinical work, Dr. Taylor leads the popular Girls Power Hour program—a female-only training initiative where she empowers young women with strength training skills, confidence, and the tools to succeed both in and out of the gym. Her passion for helping women of all ages develop physical and mental strength is evident in everything she does.


    Dr. Taylor's educational foundation reflects her commitment to excellence and continuous growth. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Ithaca College, a Doctorate of Chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College, and a Certificate in Sports Science & Human Performance. This advanced training, combined with years of hands-on clinical experience across diverse populations, positions her as one of the region's most versatile and skilled practitioners.


    At SkanStrength, Dr. Taylor has built a healing practice rooted in compassion, precision, and results. Whether you're an athlete pushing limits, someone managing a chronic condition, or simply seeking to move and feel better in daily life, Dr. Taylor brings the expertise, experience, and genuine care to help you reach your goals.

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Coach Dan Flanick, MS

  • Coach Dan's Bio

    Dan Flanick is the owner and head coach of SkanStrength in Skaneateles, New York, and the Associate Head Baseball Coach at Cayuga Community College.


    Dan has spent more than twenty-five years in athletics as an athlete, strength and conditioning coach, and sport coach. His career began in the Hudson Valley, where early experience in competitive sports led to a Division II baseball scholarship at Molloy College. After stepping away from the game during college — following the loss of a family member and a period of burnout — Dan found his way back through coaching and athletic development.


    He transferred to Ithaca College to study Exercise Science and graduated in 2014. He then served as a Strength & Conditioning intern at Cornell University, working across baseball, football, basketball, track and field, and equestrian sports. From Cornell he went to Baylor University in 2014 as a Graduate Assistant in one of the country's top Division I athletic programs, training under Coach Kaz Kazadi — the 2013 collegiate Strength Coach of the Year — and working with football, tennis, acrobatics and tumbling, and cross-country. He earned his Master's degree in Sport Pedagogy at Baylor in 2015.


    After graduate school, Dan returned home to Central New York. In 2017, he and his family opened SkanStrength in a 500-square-foot space below a local bar. Over the years that followed, they grew it into a 7,500-square-foot facility serving thousands of people across a wide range of ages, abilities, and athletic goals.


    Today, Dan coaches at SkanStrength while also serving on the baseball staff at Cayuga Community College. Over his career, he has worked with an unusually broad range of populations, including individuals with disabilities — athletes with Down syndrome, autism, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities — as well as youth, high school, and college athletes in baseball, softball, and a wide variety of sports - lacrosse, hockey, basketball, soccer, wrestling, tennis, golf, etc..


    Dan brings deep baseball coaching experience to his work. A former catcher himself, he has coached catching, hitting, throwing, and all-around baseball development — from youth and Little League levels through high school and college athletes. 


    As Associate Head Coach at Cayuga Community College, Dan runs day-to-day player development, catching instruction, and strength and conditioning for the NJCAA program.


    His approach combines strength and conditioning, sport-specific skill development, a healthy pedagogical approach, and the mental skills and confidence-building that athletes need to perform — built around a long-view philosophy of healthy, sustainable athletic development. Dan is particularly focused on what keeps athletes healthy and improving over years, not just weeks and seasons.


    Dan holds a B.S. in Exercise Science from Ithaca College and a Master's in Sport Pedagogy from Baylor University.

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Candice Hoffman

PhD, Sports Science

  • Coach Candice's Bio

    Dr. Candice Hofmann holds a PhD in Sport Science from the University of Salford (Manchester, England), a Master of Science in Kinesiology from SUNY Cortland (4.0 GPA), and a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Syracuse University.


    Her research focused on youth athlete development—specifically how growth spurts impact jump performance, leg strength, balance, and injury risk. This work drives everything she does with young athletes today.


    Before returning to Central New York, Candice spent several years at the Gatorade Sport Science Institute (GSSI) at IMG Academy in Florida. There, she tested and evaluated elite youth and professional athletes, assessing everything from body composition and hydration to muscle strength, power, and anaerobic capacity. She worked directly with athletes and coaches to translate lab data into real-world performance improvements.


    Candice was also a Division I soccer player at Syracuse University (4-year letter winner) and a three-sport athlete at Marcellus High School, where she won a state title in soccer and was named First Team All-State in volleyball. She's been inducted into the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame.


    She's coached soccer, volleyball, and track and field at the youth and high school level for years. Her philosophy is simple: sports should build kids up, give them confidence, and help them become successful humans—on whatever path life takes them.


    At SkanStrength, Candice brings her research background, lab experience, and coaching passion together in SAPS—helping young athletes build speed, agility, power, and strength the right way, at the right time.

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Nathan Devoe

  • Nathan's Bio

    Nate has been an integral part of SkanStrength and now SkanSports for over 6 years. Nate has been a part of the sports performance program for over 6 years. As Nate's passion for training grew, it sparked a desire to begin training others.


    Following his high school graduation, Nate made the decision to deepen his understanding of the coaching profession. After enrolling in human anatomy & physiology courses and accompanying subjects, he secured an internship with the program where his journey began.


    Currently, Nate serves as the Intern Strength & Conditioning Coach alongside Coach Dan. He actively participates in session management, exuding positivity as a role model, engaging with the participants, motivating them, and forming meaningful connections with all participants.


    Nate also serves as an Operations Assistant for SkanSports.


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James Garofalo

Licensed Acupuncturist

  • James's Bio

    After dedicating 11 years to the US Air Force as a translator proficient in Mandarin and Cantonese, and another decade as a skilled CrossFit Coach, James made the decision to pursue an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science at Ithaca College.


    Building upon his undergraduate studies, James combined his expertise in both areas to earn a Master's degree in East Asian Medicine and Herbal Remedies. He also became a Licensed Acupuncturist, guiding individuals on their unique journeys towards pain management, self-acceptance, and the integration of lifestyle factors in treating various ailments and concerns.


    James will serve as your mentor in the realm of meditation, aiding you in developing a consistent practice that enriches your life by fostering internal well-being.


    Education:

    • B.S. in Exercise Science from Ithaca College
    • Master's in Acupuncture and East Asian Medicine from NYCC
    • Over 15 years of coaching experience
    • Certified Qi Gong Instructor
    • Meditation Instructor