March 2020. Do I have a story! I’m sure this story is a dime a dozen. Alas, humor me.

February 2020, I resigned from my full-time, salaried, safe position at Georgetown University Hospital. It was a wonderful place to work! I developed invaluable friendships and relationships, as well as honed my professional skills. I will forever be grateful to my mentors and family at Georgetown.

March 1, the lease began on my new office space. My first true business expense! Things are going swimmingly well. My schedule was filling up and I was starting to see the perks of taking a chance on myself.

March 20. A full clinic week of 20 clients all cancel within a 24 hour period. Gulp! No one on the schedule for the foreseeable future. No signs of future revenue and the government calling for to a 2 week lockdown.

Recently, I heard the saying, “you make a plan, and God laughs.“ Well, my 2020 plans were shattered. My brain was stuck ruminating with the fury of 1 million anxieties.

My former boss threw me a lifeline. Given I had just left and was a “role model “employee, she was willing to give me a full-time job. The catch however, it was as an in-patient physical therapist role. I had briefly worked in the hospital early in my career and greatly disliked it. Additionally, she wanted me to sign a year-long employment agreement. Good bye private practice goals.

Well, I was feeling even more confused. I left Georgetown because I was ready to move on. I made plans to start my own business and had begun to take action on it. Going back to Georgetown would represent a major step back.

I sought professional advice. A business coach told me to lean into the things I could control: PT my skills and ability to communicate.

Like most healthcare providers, I pivoted to virtual services. I contacted everyone I could to let them know I was still open for business. Either pain was a good motivator or they took pity on me. Regardless I ended up working with 4 to 6 people a week for the next 3 months. Bills were paid! Private practice dreams becoming reality!

Another saying I have enjoyed is “progress is not a straight line.” Progress takes time and is filled with ups and downs.

In my clinic, unfortunately the clients I work with have usually come my way because of a plan gone awry. Painful tendons due to running too many hills in preparation for the Boston Marathon. Achy knees trying to set a squat PR. Broken collar bone falling from a bike in preparation for a 100 mile ride.

These clients did not see me in their plans. It breaks my heart to not be able to wave my hand and make them pain-free so they can continue their pursuit of excellence. Through using our skills and knowledge we identify their painful triggers and interventions to make them feel better. It’s not a straight line up and to the right but a journey with some ups and downs.

What I am confident in is that most will get better AND we will improve the way they move. Through addressing movement dysfunctions and rebuilding strength and conditioning, our clients will hit the road, trails or gyms moving more effectively and efficiently!

If you know anyone who is dealing with an injury, please share this email with them!

As always, thank you for your time and it’s a privilege to serve you.