I invest in personal development as it invests in mastering human connection. To where I meet with mentors, attend conferences, and learn from leading personal development coaches through podcasts, books, etc. This in part invests in my emotional intelligence. One of which is a square in comparison to intellectual intelligence being a circle. One will never be the other but intersect in being a leader as well as a high-performing physical therapist. In past and current opportunities, I've had to hone in on developing skills as a leader. Throughout my undergraduate career of 2019 to 2023, I prioritized the art of challenging my comfort zone in terms of who I wanted to be and what I could do. For instance, I was a supplementary instructor and teaching assistant for the introductory anatomical kinesiology course for 145+ students. In which, facilitated optional bi-weekly, 1.5-hour sessions reviewing content with pre-planned activities. With also being a cheerleader and challenger for all students. In addition to, in 2022, I carried out the role as student representative for the kinesiology department in a faculty search. To where, I objectively screened and interviewed candidates alongside three kinesiology department staff. In exemplifying teaching and representative roles, in 2022 to 2023, my undergraduate team presented at national conferences on our research of "The Cardiorespiratory Responses of Nordic Walking vs. Regular Walking in Middle-Aged to Older Adults." In sharing research with varying audiences, provided the art of leadership through science-based evidence regarding new and safe fitness modalities for individuals. In current efforts, I have since developed a single-member LLC personal training business through the state of Texas. In addition to, I on-boarded as a physical therapy technician to an outpatient-based physical therapy clinic. The business generally serves patients of all ages with orthopedic-related injuries. With that said, my boss has since transitioned to serving patients with neurologically derived disorders such as dysautonomia and Ehlers Danlos syndrome. Since my on-boarding in May 2023, I'm the primary technician that assists in treating these patients. With a common modality of a patented direct current device called the Neubie; to better help patients, I acquired a Level 1 Neubie Certification. To which, I co-treat under physical therapist supervision with the Neubie and specialize in training the physical therapists, technicians, and doctoral students on clinical rotation. Within my other role as owner/personal trainer for 80/20 Performance LLC, I serve current and discharged physical therapy patients with neurological and/or orthopedic based injuries. My mission is to facilitate the barriers to improving clients’ performance. In which, I provide 1:1, 1-hour services with emphasis in corrective-based exercise and overall prepare the body for movement with progressive exercise. In dedicating my future career as a physical therapist, my goal as a doctoral student is becoming multi-faceted in the realm of research, teaching, and didactic knowledge. With specialization in leadership and high-performance coaching, in which, helping patients to reach their fullest potential from a mental standpoint. Post-graduation from Texas State in 2027, I aspire to transition my personal training company to a physical therapy-based business. In coordination, I will be pursuing a high-performance coaching certification to incorporate as a separate service in the business. I look to contribute a business that values the physical recovery and facilitates the mental barriers preventing patients from improved self-efficacy and overall independence. To which, also advocating and building increased understanding in the profession regarding dysautonomia.

Have you ever thought, on a scale of 1-10, how lucky do you consider yourself? It’s indicative of an interviewee’s mental attitude. To which, how they reason their life has went/is going. In being questioned this, allotting an answer, it would be a nine. Nine associating with the endearing family I was born-into, an enriching childhood of endless experiences, and since graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and moving to Austin, TX. In reflection, the nine is also representative of the hardships. Beginning at the age of 3, moving away from all Canadian relatives to a new country. While growing up in the United States and developing into a strong-knit family with a newfound prioritization of being family-oriented. To which, that remaining one to become a ten, is my room for improvement while vacating the walls of perfection. As the storyline goes, in high school, was my first experience with physical therapy. Since childhood, I was engulfed in the world of competitive dance. It was a passion of mine, or I may admit, consumed who I was. However, the intensity of that passion dwindled to an interest in high school. In sustaining the internal warfare in avoidance of confronting my parents/coaches, I acquired an over-use injury to my sciatic nerve. Leading to my not-so positive associations with physical therapy from the intense manual-related glove work to repetitive exercises. In this time, on the receiving end, I learned the differentiation of caring about the job versus simultaneously caring about the patient. Tommy Olsen, cared for the patient, and therefore elicited my interest in physical therapy. You must ask yourself on five separate occasions why you want to be a physical therapist. This is what Jorge, my mentor, first tasked me with after reconnecting in finding purpose within an unpredicted gap year. After the last cycle of applying to three doctorate physical therapy programs, I was waitlisted at two and declined from one. From experiencing what felt like the five stages of grief to persevering, evolved a newfound motivation to become a physical therapist. Before entering Texas State's doctorate program in May 2024, in this gap year, I currently serve as a physical therapy technician and owner/personal trainer for a single member LLC. Within my role as a technician in an outpatient-based setting, the business generally serves patients of all ages with orthopedic-related injuries. While my boss specializes in neurological disorders. Since my on-boarding in May 2023, I'm the primary technician that assists in treating these patients. With a common modality of a patented direct current device called the Neubie; to better help patients, I acquired a Level 1 Neubie Certification. Within my other role as owner/personal trainer for 80/20 Performance LLC, I serve current and discharged physical therapy patients with neurological and/or orthopedic based injuries. My mission is to facilitate the barriers to improving clients’ performance. In which, I provide 1:1, 1-hour services with emphasis in corrective-based exercise for strengthening underactive musculature, reducing muscle guarding, and overall preparing the body for movement with progressive exercise. In the long term, I’m motivated to craft a physical therapy business in association with high-performance coaching that helps patients to reach their fullest potential. Constituting rehabbing the originating injury as well as the mental blocks inhibiting self-efficacy, sustaining fear, and counteracting the healing process. In addition to, specifically advocating for and increasing understanding with patients with Dysautonomia and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. These autonomic diseases are often misdiagnosed and go untreated on average 7+ years. To which, growing the wealth of knowledge in the profession and generating inclusive care for all patients.

The profession of physical therapy is personally important as it's a conservative treatment option that improves one's quality of life. With an out-reach to all populations in pain management, reaching process and outcome goals, and gaining independence. Physical therapists prioritize individualized treatment planning and meet patients where they're at in their recovery process. In addition, a coordinating aspect of the field that is important to me is the patient-therapist relationship. This field is a combination of emotional and intellectual intelligence. It homes in on the vitality of building rapport with patients from all walks of life. In regards to current contributions to the field, I serve as a physical therapy technician and owner/personal trainer for a single member LLC. Within my role as a technician in an outpatient-based setting, the business generally serves patients of all ages with orthopedic-related injuries. With that said, my boss has since transitioned to serving patients with neurologically derived disorders such as Dysautonomia and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Since my on-boarding in May 2023, I'm the primary technician that assists in treating these patients. With a common modality of a patented direct current device called the Neubie; to better help patients, I acquired a Level 1 Neubie Certification. To which, I co-treat under physical therapist supervision with the Neubie and specialize in training the physical therapists, technicians, and doctoral students on clinical rotation. Within my other role as owner/personal trainer for 80/20 Performance LLC, I serve current and discharged physical therapy patients with neurological and/or orthopedic based injuries. My mission is to facilitate the barriers to improving clients’ performance. In which, I provide 1:1, 1-hour services with emphasis in corrective-based exercise for strengthening underactive musculature, reducing muscle guarding, and overall preparing the body for movement with progressive exercise. In dedicating my future career as a physical therapist, my goal as a doctoral student is becoming multi-faceted in the realm of research, teaching, and didactic knowledge. With specialization in leadership and high-performance coaching, in which, helping patients to reach their fullest potential from a mental standpoint. Post-graduation from Texas State in 2027, I aspire to transition my personal training company to a physical therapy-based business. In coordination, I will be pursuing a high-performance coaching certification to incorporate as a separate service in the business. I look to contribute a business that values the physical recovery and facilitates the mental barriers preventing patients from improved self-efficacy and overall independence. To which, also advocating and building increased understanding in the profession about dysautonomia as it’s often misdiagnosed for years, and contributes to a reduced quality of life due to poor pain management.