JAMES STRAY-GUNDERSEN, M.D., graduated from Loyola University Stitch School of Medicine in General Surgery in 1982. Realizing his passion for sport performance, and health and wellness through exercise, he pursued two fellowships in Cardiovascular Physiology and Nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, where he was an associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Physiology. During this time at UTSW, Stray-Gundersen developed and directed two world-class Human Performance and Research Laboratories that focused on elite athletic training, overtraining, and performance, as well as preventative health, wellness, and performance, through prescription exercise for master’s athletes and seniors. Stray-Gundersen engaged the participation of athletes from all over world and from a wide variety of sports.

During his time in Texas, Stray-Gundersen commuted to Park City, Utah, and served as director of Sports Science for the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team. He was a member of the ‘88 and ‘92 Olympic teams as Physician/Physiologist.

In 1989 Stray-Gundersen and his colleague, Ben Levine, embarked on a 12-year-study investigating the effects of altitude training on sea level performance. “Hi/Low,” the internationally recognized study and its conclusions, now is widely acknowledged as the best way to train to optimize sea-level performance.

In 1997, Stray-Gundersen was invited to Oslo, Norway, as a visiting professor for the University of Sport and Physical Education. During his time in Norway, he also worked for the Norwegian Olympic Committee and directed its “Altitude Training Project” for the 2000 and 2002 Olympic Games. Stray-Gundersen was a member of the 2002 Norwegian Olympic team as team physician.

Recognized as a leading expert in the field of anti doping, in 2000 Stray-Gundersen developed The SAFE Paradigm (Safe and Fair Events) a system to deter and detect current methods of blood doping. SAFE has been implemented by the International Skating Federation for its Long Track competitors since 2000 and its Short Track competitors since 2002. SAFE is considered by some, the most aggressive test in anti doping protocol to date.

Stray-Gundersen currently lives in Park City, Utah, working as a consultant and host to altitude training camps. He is married and has four children.