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Our Team
Dr. Morgan Riggins, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT
Owner of OPAL Movement Therapy
Dr. Morgan Riggins grew up in Dripping Springs, Texas swimming and riding horses. She swam for Hartwick College in upstate New York and specialized in breaststroke and individual medley events. Her background as an athlete combined with her love for exercise and learning ultimately led to a career in physical therapy.
She graduated from Texas State University in 2021 with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She completed her Fellowship in the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists through The Manual Therapy Institute in 2023.
Morgan founded OPAL Movement Therapy in 2022. She loves working with clients, running business operations, and growing a culture around moving better. She enjoys working with distance runners, weightlifters, swimmers, hikers, and anyone who has goals to move better.
In her free time, she enjoys lifting weights, cooking different cuisines, hiking new trails, and spending time with her family.
Dr. Samantha Hatcher, PT, DPT
Dr. Samantha Hatcher grew up in Round Rock, Texas where she played indoor volleyball and ran track and cross country. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies and a Business Foundations Certificate. Following graduation, she worked with the NHL Dallas Stars Hockey Club. Fascinated by the performance side of the sport – she decided to pursue a career in physical therapy. While she prepared to apply to PT school, she became a NSCA Certified Personal Trainer and worked in group fitness. This is when her passion to better understand the human movement system began so she could help her clients move well and without pain.
She graduated from Texas State University in 2024 with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. She has experience working in sports, orthopedics, manual therapy, and pelvic floor therapy. She is also a Certified Health & Well-being Coach [CHWC] through the Wellcoaches organization. Samantha plans to pursue a fellowship in orthopedic manual therapy and specialty training in women’s health and pelvic floor.
When she’s not in the clinic you can find Dr. Hatcher playing beach volleyball, golfing, or frequenting the various parks and trails around the Austin area with her dog, Butters. Her favorite home-away-from-home is the mountains where she and her partner, Channing, enjoy fly fishing, camping, and visiting national parks.
Natalie Barnes - Administration
Growing up in Austin, Texas, Natalie was an avid athlete, participating in indoor volleyball, wrestling and track, where she excelled in the 100 and 300 hurdles. Her competitive spirit and dedication to fitness forged a strong foundation for her personal and professional life.
Natalie's journey into health and wellness began with her passion for dogs. She is a certified dog trainer and nutritionist, holding credentials such as CPDT-KA, Pet Food Nutrition Specialist, and Acute Canine Herbalism Specialist. This deep dive into dog nutrition and herbalism sparked a broader interest in all aspects of nutrition and holistic medicine, inspiring Natalie to pursue a community that shares her commitment to health.
Joining OPAL Movement Therapy felt like a dream come true—a place where like-minded individuals strive to live their best, healthiest lives. One of Natalie’s personal goals is to enhance her own physical wellness with the help of Dr. Morgan and Dr. Samantha, to run her first marathon!
When Natalie is not at OPAL Movement Therapy, you can find her running, practicing yoga, or playing disc golf with her partner, Matthew. She also enjoys hiking around Austin and taking part in agility & nosework classes with her dog, Ruby. At home, she finds joy in baking and makes a mean sourdough bread!