Chain Effect didn’t start as a business idea — it started as a frustration. Before founding Chain Effect, Dr. Taylor Pope worked inside a large physician-owned PT practice. There, he saw the “numbers game” firsthand: patients double and triple booked, critical care handed off to unqualified staff, and generic copy-and-paste treatment plans. It was clear — the system wasn’t built for people. It was built for profit.
After graduating from PT school at UNC Chapel Hill, Taylor was lucky to land at a private practice that prioritized 1-on-1 care with the same physical therapist every session. For five years, he gave patients the focused attention they deserved. But he noticed big gaps:
It felt like patients were always starting over, just from a slightly better position.
During this time, Taylor met Caroline, a future registered dietitian. Between concerts, brunches, and hikes along the Eno River, they shared a dream: what if all of this could live under one roof? Rehab, strength, and nutrition — seamlessly integrated.
That dream became reality in 2015 when Taylor and Caroline, now married, opened Chain Effect — the first practice in Raleigh to combine all the pillars of holistic wellness in one business. What started as frustration became a mission: to deliver custom, integrated care that finally connects the dots.
Owner/Registered Dietitian
MS, RDN, LDN
Caroline Pope began practicing as a Registered Dietitian in 2015 after completing her Master of Science in Nutrition from Meredith College and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UNC Chapel Hill. This union of educational pursuits presents her with the opportunity to dig deep into the “why” guiding each of her patient’s relationship with food. Combining Motivational Interviewing techniques with evidence-based clinical reasoning, she develops a safe and intimate space for her clients to simultaneously “get it all out there” and inspire real lasting change, all while developing a healthier relationship with food. Starting her career at UNC Rex Bariatric Specialists granted her front line exposure to a patient population known for a high degree of complexity and co-morbidities. This experience required an increased level of precision and individualized attention to detail that she has found invaluable to her practice at Chain Effect. At the end of the day, instilling and fostering accountability remains the most successful and evidenced based tool for achieving results. While she continues to enjoy and excel at helping patients with weight loss and preventing disease, her interests have expanded into perinatal care, gut health, and integrative and functional medicine. When she isn’t counseling or managing the nutrition pillar at Chain Effect, she is most likely running after one or both of her two boys (three, if you count Taylor).
Owner/Doctor of Physical Therapy
DPT, FDNP
Dr. Taylor Pope has been a practicing outpatient physical therapist since 2010 upon graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with his Doctor of Physical Therapy. He specializes in orthopedic and sports injuries in addition to helping non-acute patients identify latent dysfunction. While sports may have brought him to physical therapy initially, he truly loves working with all types of clients and finds it particularly rewarding to help those who have “been around the block” and may have had negative experiences at less client centric practices. He is a certified Functional Dry Needling Practitioner and is Titleist Performance Institute Certified. His mantra rallies around a growth mindset and a focus on the process. In his practice, he enjoys blending components of many physical therapy philosophies such as those developed by Gray Cook’s Functional Movement Systems (FMS) and Ron Hruska’s Postural Restoration Institute (PRI). Dr. Pope has played competitive sports since a young child and, although now in his 40s, continues to train and compete on the national stage in Ultimate Frisbee. He enjoys the opportunity to build Chain Effect with his wife and co-owner, Caroline. The rest of his time is spent being a dad of two boys, his most important job.
Client Matchmaker
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Clinic Director
DPT, FDNP
Dr. Michael Hunt is a physical therapist who was born-and-raised in Greensboro, NC. Dr. Hunt is a graduate from Campbell University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program in 2022 and holds a B.S. in Nutrition Sciences with a minor in Sports Science from NC State University in 2019. Dr. Hunt’s professional interests include assessing musculoskeletal impairments of the neck and spine, management and treatment of headaches, sport and orthopedic injuries, neurologic rehabilitation, and integrating the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health to assess an individual’s level of function. Dr. Hunt utilizes a personalized, progressive, and hands-on treatment approach to help patients across the lifespan and comorbidity spectrum live more fulfilling lives. Additionally, Dr. Hunt is a certified Functional Dry Needling Practitioner. Dr. Hunt enjoys exploring the overlap between music, rhythm, and movement coordination in neurologic rehabilitation, and has presented on this topic to the North Carolina Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association in 2022. Dr. Hunt has over 6 years of experience in the fitness industry as a personal trainer and brings a unique, creative perspective to every session. His goal is to show you how resilient and powerful the human body, your body, can be. In his spare time, you’ll find Dr. Hunt behind the drums, going for a run, or out on the disc golf course.
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Taylor Garlington earned his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Alabama before completing his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree through the accelerated program at South College.
He has worked in a variety of outpatient orthopedic settings and enjoys helping active adults and athletes return to the activities they love. His professional interests include orthopedic and sports injuries, strength-based rehabilitation, running-related injuries, and helping individuals bridge the gap between rehabilitation and performance. He believes successful rehabilitation extends beyond simply reducing pain. His treatment approach combines hands-on therapy, movement analysis, strength training principles, and individualized exercise programming to address the underlying factors contributing to injury and dysfunction. He especially enjoys working with patients who want to take an active role in their recovery and are looking for lasting solutions rather than temporary symptom relief.
Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, he recently relocated to North Carolina with his wife, Taryn. Outside of the clinic, he enjoys strength training, running, hiking, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.
Registered Dietitian
RDN, LDN, CSCS
Victoria Vucich began practicing as a Registered Dietitian in 2020 after completing her Dietetic Internship through Johns Hopkins Medicine. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Applied Nutrition and a minor in Sports Science from North Carolina State University and completed her Didactic Program in Dietetics at UNC Greensboro. Her interest in all things nutrition began early after sustaining a career-ending injury that prevented her from entering collegiate athletics as planned. Although she ultimately made her way back to sport after 4 years of rehab and was able to represent each university on the court, it was during her intensive rehabilitation that she became intrigued with how food for fuel impacts performance, injury prevention, and recovery. This set her on her path to not only study nutrition sciences, but to also earn her CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) credential to support her spirited interest in the interrelatedness of exercise science. Blending both credentials, she provides evidence-based recommendations for those looking to optimize athletic performance via proper nutrition and training periodization. Victoria has also seen great success working with clients interested in weight management, improving health measures, and managing comorbidities, to name a few. Her priority is to treat each client as an individual and find solutions that fit their needs, preferences, and lifestyles. She believes in “uncomplicating” nutrition and strives to share research in an easy to understand way. When she is not counseling you can find her training at the gym, snacking on something somewhere, or playing pickup volleyball.
Registered Dietitian
MPH, RDN, LDN
Hannah began practicing as a Registered Dietitian in 2023 after completing her Masters in Public Health with a concentration in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2022 and her Bachelor’s in Food Science from North Carolina State University in 2019. She initially developed an interest in nutrition when her dad was diagnosed with Celiac disease and she began researching more about nutrition related allergies. She also was a competitive swimmer growing up, leading her to become interested in how nutrition could optimize her performance. She began her nutrition career at UNC Rex Bariatric Specialists as a bariatric dietitian, while also working closely with patients on anti-obesity medications. She has a unique perspective in nutrition coming from a public health background and prides herself on working with patients where they are and helping them achieve their unique goals. She has a passion for improving mental health and helping people heal their relationship with food while still being able to meet their goals. In her free time, she is an avid reader, loves spending time with her cats, and, of course, cooking delicious meals for herself and her partner, Justin.
Registered Dietitian
MS, RDN, LDN, CSSD
James began practicing as a Registered Dietitian in 2022 after earning his Master’s in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Illinois at Chicago. His passion for nutrition was sparked in his teens, when he successfully lost over 100 pounds through lifestyle changes. As an adult, his interest deepened while training for two marathons, where he experienced firsthand the powerful connection between nutrition and physical performance. Since becoming a dietitian, James has been an integral part of several high-performance teams, including Northwestern University, the University of Delaware, and West Virginia University, where he served as the Director of Olympic Nutrition. He is a Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics and has worked with athletes at all levels—from professional and collegiate athletes to recreational and masters athletes. He has also helped many individuals seeking to simply build better habits, or improve their body composition and manage their weight sustainably. James believes in progress over perfection. He understands that nutrition is not one-size-fits-all, and that meaningful change can be complex. He’s passionate about simplifying the process through evidence-based guidance and motivational interviewing, always meeting people where they are. Outside of work, you’ll often find James lounging in the sun with his dogs, Jonas and Goose, or playing with his cats, Molly and Ollie. A lifelong music lover, he’s been playing guitar for over 20 years. He also enjoys cycling, running, trying new restaurants, and playing video games with his partner, Courtney.
Personal Trainer
Dyala, born in Costa Rica and raised in Georgia, has always had a deep interest in health and fitness. During her tenure at Delaware State University she discovered a passion for training where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. Her message is to encourage people to go beyond just lifting weights, and rather build a well-rounded lifestyle around mobility, functionality, healthy eating, and adequate recovery. She enjoys helping others realize what their bodies are capable of and making people feel confident, happy and strong. Outside of the gym, she enjoys watching soccer games and customizing shoes. She and her partner are always looking for new restaurants and coffee shops to try in the area. Dyala’s certifications and specialties include: ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Pain-Free Performance Specialist, Bodybuilding, Strength Training, Mobility & Recovery, Functional Training, Corrective Exercise, and Fitness for Beginners.
Front Desk Coordinator
Personal Trainer
Jayd is a wellness coach and personal trainer passionate about helping her clients reach their fitness goals. Whether you are brand new or a competition athlete, she specializes in helping you get strong, burn fat, and build a healthy lifestyle. Fitness is in her blood, as both of her parents were avid gym rats, and promoted the benefits of an active lifestyle from an early age. Jayd played a variety of sports including soccer, gymnastics, mixed martial arts, and now participates in powerlifting competitions on Twitch, for which she is a founding member of its’ Fitness and Health community. In her free time, she streams video games with her online community and works in her garden. She’s certified through AFAA and NASM for both group fitness and personal training and holds a variety of specialty certifications for senior fitness, nutrition, and martial arts. Positive and knowledgeable, Jayd loves to push her clients to their maximum potential.
Marketing Specialist
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