Beyond The Chair

Built because rehab ends too soon

Beyond The Chair opened in San Antonio in January 2012 so people with spinal cord injuries and neurological conditions would have somewhere to keep recovering after therapy ends.

Our story

Laura Dominguez-Tauer was 16 when a car accident in 2001 left her with a C6 spinal cord injury. After extensive therapy she met Nito Blochlinger in San Diego in 2003, where he was starting his career at Project Walk, a spinal cord injury recovery center.

They lost touch for eight years, then ran into each other again in San Antonio. Together they opened Beyond The Chair to give people what Laura hadn't had: a place to keep training for the long haul, with staff who believe recovery is worth the work.

Beyond The Chair is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Today we train veterans and civilians, kids and adults, from across San Antonio and beyond.

A smiling member in a wheelchair with three Beyond The Chair staff standing behind him in front of a blue wall.

Our mission

Beyond The Chair exists to provide an improved quality of life and independence for people with spinal cord injuries and other neurological disabilities through intensive activity-based recovery programs.

Respect the training. Honor the commitment. Cherish the results.

Our history

From a blank wall to a gym San Antonio's paralysis community calls home.

  1. 2011

    Building the gym

    Volunteers turn an empty suite on Jackwood Drive into a training floor and paint the logo mural that still greets members today.

    Volunteers painting the yellow and blue Beyond The Chair logo on a white wall.
  2. 2012

    Doors open

    Beyond The Chair opens in January. That November, Laura organizes our first Run, Walk, Roll-a-thon 5K.

  3. 2013

    The first golf tournament

    Members, staff and volunteers raise money for equipment and scholarships at our first golf tournament fundraiser.

    Members in wheelchairs, staff and volunteers smiling together at the golf tournament.
  4. 2014

    Two years strong

    We celebrate our second birthday with members and families, host our first support group get-together, and throw a grand opening party in April.

    A large group of members, staff and families in front of the logo mural at the grand opening.
  5. 2015

    On TV

    Nito and member Dan Castillo visit FOX San Antonio's Daytime at Nine to talk about recovery after spinal cord injury.

  6. 2019

    Our story on film

    A documentary crew spends time on our floor. Watch the clip.

In the news

Our team

Nito Blochlinger in a black Beyond The Chair shirt in front of the logo wall.

Nito Blochlinger

Co-founder and president

Nito graduated from Wichita State University in Kinesiology and Sports Studies with a concentration in exercise science. He has worked in adaptive exercise since 2003, starting at Project Walk in San Diego, then running FirstStep in Dallas and leading the program at Pressing On in San Antonio before opening Beyond The Chair.

He believes teamwork and a staff that genuinely cares are what make members succeed. Certified in FMT Blades IASTM and FMT Blades IASTM Advanced.

Laura Dominguez-Tauer in front of a white wall with the yellow and blue swoosh.

Laura Dominguez-Tauer

Co-founder and secretary

Laura is a San Antonio native who has lived with a C6 spinal cord injury since a car accident in 2001. She and her family searched the world for ways to keep recovering, and she co-founded Beyond The Chair so others wouldn't have to search as hard. She's committed to helping people with spinal cord injuries and neurological disabilities in any way she can.

Want to see it for yourself?

Call us or request an assessment. We'll show you the gym and talk through what training could look like for you.

Request an assessment Call (210) 256-0700