My path to choosing physical therapy is not your usual one. Most students would say they had physical therapy when they were younger and their experience led them here. However, I never had an experience with a physical therapist until my senior year of college. I started out with a degree in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise ready to be a Registered Dietitian. This is where I found my love for the human body, how it operates, and how it can recover on its own. I had the opportunity during my undergraduate studies to work with a D1 football team as a student athletic trainer. This is where I first shadowed a Physical Therapist. Her work with our athletes and dedication to getting them back on the field inspired me. These athletes would train for days and she was there every step of the way teaching them how to deal with their injuries while coaching them how to recover without surgery or medicine. One thing I want to do is help patients/athletes avoid unnecessary surgical or medicinal interventions. I think many people want the quick fix instead of putting in the effort to allow their bodies to do what they were designed for and heal themselves. Medication may treat symptoms but it does not help heal the broken. Many patients do not even know what it is we do. One of the biggest problems within our profession is the lack of knowledge in our communities. We need to be better at advertising our treatments and selling ourselves as advocates for health. I am in my first year of my Doctorate of Physical Therapy and I have been given so many amazing opportunities. Many of which include fighting for our rights as Physical Therapists. We have created petitions to protect our name against those who falsely brand themselves as DPT with a complete different meaning. We have written to local officials in order to help get laws passed that allow better access to postpartum health care which includes pelvic health physical therapy. Postpartum health is one of the most restricted and underrepresented branches in healthcare. In April we will be marching on the capitol to show support for bills that will allow us to more efficiently serve our patients. One of my goals is to make our profession accessible and efficient so we can treat our patients with the care they deserve.