It was the first day of vacation, my parent’s anniversary and 2 days before my birthday, when I heard a loud pop as my ankle rolled underneath my skateboard. My mom rushed me to the ER and the x-rays revealed a fractured tibia and fibula. What a way to start vacation! After a month of living in a boot, I forgot how to walk and enrolled in PT. This was where my passion for PT blossomed. It was amazing how a few simple exercises could retrain my mind and body how to walk. My passion further deepened when my dad underwent PT post back surgery. At the time, I was working at North Lake Physical Therapy as an aide, so I became his “at-home aide.” I made sure he did his exercises daily, often doing them with him to provide extra motivation. It was fulfilling to watch him return to his old, active self, free of pain. This experience solidified my passion for PT. I want to be that person that helps others return to a life of movement because I truly believe movement is medicine. About 10 years later, my belief that movement is medicine was further proven after I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) at the end of my freshman year. PCOS is a hormonal disorder that consists of enlarged ovaries, small cysts, hirsutism, weight gain, infertility and insulin resistance. To help regulate my cycle and reverse insulin resistance, my doctor prescribed birth control and a no-carb diet. I was terrified. Not only is this condition life-long, but to manage it I must give up processed carbs? For many months after my diagnoses, I was in denial of my condition. I compared myself to others and thought I could eat and move just like them, however I always paid the consequence. I gained weight easily, my face looked puffy, I was moody, had low energy, and not gotten my period in months. One day, I looked into the mirror and didn’t recognize myself. I thought, “There must be another way.” After many weeks of research, my mom and I discovered that movement and good metabolic health was key to managing PCOS. I began walking for 15 minutes after meals to balance blood sugar and improve insulin resistance. At the gym, I lifted weights to increase muscle mass which helped prevent large blood sugar spikes. Lastly, I began wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to test how my body reacted to certain foods. Within a year, my blood sugar became stable, my weight was under control, and I had regular periods. I no longer had severe cravings or felt out of control around food, my energy was back, and I was the happiest I had been in a long time. Movement and blood sugar balance truly transformed my life. My PCOS journey showed that without the ability to move, my health would have deteriorated and spiraled out of control. Although this was a terrifying experience, I am glad of the lessons it taught me because it confirmed my decision of becoming a PT. This career is one of the few professions within healthcare that addresses the root cause of one’s condition. I want to contribute to this field my passion that movement is medicine, and help others reclaim their life. Time and time again I have seen movement heal, not just myself, but the people around me. I look forward to bringing this passion into the clinic, helping patients return to their own passions and hobbies, pain free.