Passion

Physical Therapy by formal definition is the treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise rather than by drugs or surgery. While that definition is true, I look at physical therapy as the development of movement patterns throughout life.  Developing sound movement patterns is the foundation of prevention as well as athletic development and improving ones quality of life.  I see myself fitting in the profession as a bridge between the DPT and the strength and conditioning coach or personal trainer.  With my background in exercise science and nutrition/training certifications, I will look to layer this acquired skill set in the clinic with my clients.

            My goals between now and graduation include experience different clinical settings at each rotation to figure out my target career choice as well as combining my mobility techniques I have acquired over my years of being a strength and conditioning coach with the methodologies we will be learning about.  While I still need to experience other clinical settings, my current short term goal after graduation is to work with athletes in a out patient orthopedics clinic.  During this time of beginning my career, I also plan on furthering my education through my fitness continuing education units (CEUs) and through seminars in basic running technique, olympic lifting and gymnastics.  Long term I hope to either on my own or funded through my employer get my masters in nutrition or sports science rehabilitation. I believe this added education would benefit any clinic since in order for proper movement patterns to develop one must provide their body with the proper nutrition to fuel the functional movements.

            Passion is defined as a strong feeling of enthusiasm for something or about doing something. This is the best word I could use to describe my commitment to family, friends, physical health, and the profession of physical therapy. I firmly believe that you must wake up every day with the enthusiasm to work towards your goals in life, and that only through this passion can you improve yourself. The most important things to me in life are my family and friends. I have learned over the years that in any relationship you must put in effort to show others how you truly feel about them; therefore, I wake up every day with the goal of improving my relationships with my loved ones. Although I may not live with my family, I make a conscious effort to stay involved in their lives and show interest in their achievements.

            Bringing this sense of passion to the field of physical therapy is an essential step for me to succeed as a student and a practitioner. I devote a lot of time and focus to improving my physical health on a daily basis. In the past few years I have worked at gyms, became a certified personal trainer, and received my CrossFit certification. All of this focus on physical fitness ties directly into my goal of working in the field of physical therapy, as I will be able to help others improve themselves. Physical therapy is an important asset to so many individuals seeking rehabilitation from injury. If I can go in to work knowing that I have the capability to help someone feel better, then I will be making a difference in the lives of others. That selfless feeling of helping others is what makes me passionate about this field. I work every day to improve myself physically and I want nothing more than to share that passion by helping others do the same.