When I started my business, I literally had NO idea what I was doing. I Googled a lot and I read a book about why businesses fail. I made mistakes, sometimes literally paying for them. I learned about rules and laws and how to follow them all. I leaned on my mentor when I needed guidance and found a very patient accountant to help me with the stuff I hate. Through all of this, I wanted to name my practice something that reminds me why I started it in the first place and also to remind me to keep going when it felt hard. I didn't make a list of potentials and really didn't give it much time to marinate. The name, "Inspire PT" just popped into my head and so I went with it. I couldn't imagine a more perfect name for me.
People have always been deeply inspiring to me. With my dad in the Air Force, I travelled a lot as a kid and met many other military brats along the way. That is also where I learned how to quietly observe people around me since I often couldn't have a conversation in the foreign language of the country we lived in. I learned how to be quiet and just watch. I still love doing it to this day. In my adult life, I love talking with people and discovering our connections, our similarities, and our differences.
When I feel stuck or faced with a challenge, I think about the people who inspire me most to give me strength. I wanted to share with you my list of inspirations in hopes that you think about your own list.
My parents. My parents are incredibly kind and selfless. They are so quick to lend a helping hand to neighbors, family, and strangers alike. They were the first ones to teach me that everyone is equal and everyone deserves respect. I'm so lucky to have them as roll models.
Other PT's: The first inspiring physical therapist for me was Damien Howell, a fellow Richmond PT. I shadowed Damien when I was in undergrad and it was the first time I thought, "THIS is the kind of PT I want to do." Damien saw each patient one-on-one and his effort was completely tailored to that person. It was incredible to watch. A few years later when I was early into my PT career, I went to California to study Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), a technique that was spearheaded by physical therapist Maggie Knott in the 1940's. I completed a 6-month residency to learn this technique from the source and it was life changing. It is rumored that Maggie was quite the force who was incredibly dedicated to her patients. To create such an amazing treatment modality is incredibly moving. Another physical therapist that inspires me is one of the founders of the Institute of Physical Art, Gregg Johnson. I have taken many courses from Gregg, was tested by him to receive my Functional Manual Therapy certification, and I have even treated in his clinic in Steamboat Springs, CO. Gregg was ahead of his time when he developed his unique techniques to make incredible changes within the human body. I'll never forget the first time I watched him treat in a course. Afterwards, I walked to my car completely baffled. Diane Lee is a Canadian physiotherapist that I had the honor meeting when I took her 3- week series about her Integrated Systems Model. She is very knowledgable and nurturing. She is highly respected in a male-dominated outpatient physical therapy world.
My patients. Anyone that walks into my office is a source of inspiration. I'm moved by their stories, their predicaments, and their drive to tend to their bodies. I get to hear about jaw dropping stories, witness heartache and struggle, and cheer on triumphs. I learn so much from my patients and I'm moved to learn more when there is something I don't understand.
Local historical women. Elizabeth Van Lew and Maggie Walker . I learned about Elizabeth through a ghost tour of Church Hill and I was so excited about her story that I ordered a t-shirt with her face printed on the front. This past year, I toured Maggie Walker's house and learned that Maggie was actually born at Elizabeth's house. The connection was thrilling! Both of these women were movers and shakers in Richmond's history and I'm in awe by what they accomplished.
Other entrepreneurs. Let me just say, owning a business is not easy. I have learned so much from fellow colleagues that are out there doing it too. Two physical therapist friends of mine, Kyle Adams and Kelley Ryan, have really successful PT practices in Richmond. Both have been only a phone call away and I'm so grateful for them. No matter the type of business, anyone stepping out on a limb to do their own thing is inspiring to me.
Random folks. Ram Dass and Rick Hanson have taught me so much about compassion for myself and for others. Alice in Wonderful, Harriet the Spy, and Nancy Drew have taught me how to be curious, brave, and to find answers. Anne Frank taught me to believe in humanity. I was lucky to tour her house when I was a kid. Dr. Edith Eger in her book The Choice taught me that we can't choose what happens to us or around us but we can choose what we do inside. Lastly, anyone I see out in "the wild" that are going against the grain. People dressed in funky outfits, people talking to strangers, people talking to themselves, people offering to help, people stepping out on a limb, people spreading love in the world,
and people following their hearts, to name a few.
If you ever find yourself in a rut, think about people who inspire you. Is there any strength you can gain from them? Any wisdom you can adopt? Realizing that other people have faced some pretty hard challenges but continued to have hope and believe in change can be the light we need when it feels dark.
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