At one point, Alex Meininger could have been voted most likely to drop out of high school and follow the Grateful Dead. But, instead – he found himself, like many of us, entranced by Moab’s beauty and lifestyle and recently moved here to join the Moab Regional Orthopaedic Center as a surgeon and sports medicine specialist. When not in surgery, Alex looks forward to what tomorrow will bring, especially when coffee and cycling are involved.
1) What initially brought you to Moab?
The first I had heard of Moab was the 1993 Mountain Bike Action magazine article. Not long after, we made our first trek here for Spring Break. Since then, I’ve been coming almost every year to hike, bike or river raft. The brand new hospital was excuse enough to live here full time.
2) What do you love most about living in Moab?
The people. Everyone’s story is so intriguing – NASA engineers, United Nations workers, park rangers, artists, professional athletes – you name it you’ll find it in Moab.
3) What do you dislike about living in Moab?
The wind – I thought I left that behind in Chicago.
4) What is your occupation?
I am an Orthopaedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Specialist at the Moab Regional Orthopaedic Center.
5) If you could have any job in the world, what would you most like to do?
My dream job would combine my two greatest passions – cycling and coffee. Someday I’d like to own my own bike/coffee shop complete with roastery and custom bike fitting.
6) Describe a typical day in your life.
I don’t think I ever have a typical day! The only constant is my triple shot espresso each morning. But, I thrive on variety.
7) Some people have bumper stickers on their car that reads: I’d Rather be Sailing. What would your bumper sticker read? I’d Rather Be…
…Operating. I love my job – I love helping people and seeing them recover.
8) Tell us one thing people don’t usually know about you.
I have a black cat named Scooter. I never thought I’d be a cat person, but she’s a family fixture now.
9) In high school, you would have been considered the person most likely to…
…Drop out and follow the Grateful Dead. “Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings.”
10) What is your favorite Moab activity?
Riding Slickrock at dawn. The view of town and the mountains at sunrise is spectacular – we’re just so spoiled living here.
11) Tell us your favorite non-Moab place to visit.
Winter Park, Colorado. But, don’t go there, it’s horrible.
12) Where can the best cup of coffee in town be found?
For crack cocaine-type caffeination, I hit up the Wicked Brew drive thru.
13) What do you consider your greatest achievement in life?
Marrying my wife.
14) If you were President, what’s the first thing you’d do to make life better in America?
Healthcare economics. But, there’s not enough space to get into that here.
15) What superhero power would you most like to have?
X-Ray vision. That would come in handy almost every day.
16) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?
A jackalope. They’re just so elusive.
17) What is your all time favorite movie?
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” – Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
18) And, your all time favorite book?
Carl Hiaason’s “Sick Puppy” is a hysterical satire on post-modern America. Seriously. It’s hilarious. Laugh out loud funny.
19) If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Why?
Leonardo da Vinci. To think of the insights he had 500 years ago in science, anatomy and engineering – tt’s true genius. He’d probably be disappointed we don’t have robots at home or flying cars by now.
20) What is your life philosophy?
My father always said “can’t” is a four-letter word. In life, anything is possible – all you have to do is try.
20 Questions is featured weekly to introduce a local community member. E-mail Meredith at mereditharndt@yahoo.com if you, or someone you know, should answer our questions.
