Podcast appearances and mentions of jenna kantor

In this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy & Smart podcast, guest host Dr. Jenna Kantor welcomes Dr. Cortland Wyatt, a distinguished physical therapist with extensive experience in the field. The discussion focuses on Cortland's role as a treasurer for two nonprofit organizations. Jenna and Cortland explore the responsibilities and challenges of being a treasurer, the importance of financial management in nonprofit organizations, and how these experiences contribute to professional growth in the healthcare industry. Tune in for valuable insights on leadership and financial stewardship within the physical therapy community.   Time Stamps:  [00:01:42-00:02:03] Treasurer experience in nonprofits. [00:06:28] Growing an organization in therapy. [00:11:59] Importance of communication in finance. [00:14:21] Technical aspects of organization management. [00:17:35] Technical challenges with new platforms. [00:24:50] Treasurer's decision-making in nonprofits. [00:29:03-00:29:44] The future of finance. [00:31:23] Cryptocurrency in healthcare payments.   More About Dr. Courtland Wyatt: Dr. Courtland Wyatt is a native of St. Louis, MO where he learned the value of hard work at an early age. A veteran of the United States Army, he went on to attend Howard University where he was a member of the Dean's list and obtained his Master Degree in Physical Therapy.  Dr. Wyatt has filled the position of adjunct professor at Howard University, George Washington University and Montgomery Community College in their respective PT departments. After receiving a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Alabama State University, he began a non-profit organization aimed at eliminating health disparities in socioeconomically deprived areas across the nation. The program provides scholarships, mentoring, health/wellness and educational resources.  In addition to his roles of CEO and therapist, he is also co-owner of Ergo Solutions, which has developed into the largest outsourcing physical rehab company in Washington, DC.    Resources from this Episode: Dr. Wyatt on LinkedIn Ergo180 AAPT Website   Jane Sponsorship Information: Book a one-on-one demo here Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month   Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Twitter Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn   Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher iHeart Radio

In this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart podcast, host Dr. Jenna Kantor talks with Dr. Alyssa Arms about the pros and cons of niche podcasting. They delved into the world of niche podcasting and the ins and outs of running a successful podcast focused on dance medicine. Dr. Arms shared valuable insights on the pros and cons of niche podcasting, the challenges of time management, and the importance of staying consistent. Here are some key takeaways from our discussion: ·       Time Management: Running a niche podcast requires significant time and effort, from recording and editing episodes to promoting them on various platforms. ·       Financial Investment: Starting a niche podcast doesn't have to break the bank. Dr. Arms shared that she spent around $200-$300 on equipment and hosting services. ·       Audience Engagement: While it can be challenging to gauge audience feedback, engaging with guests and sharing valuable content can help build a loyal following. ·       Networking Opportunities: Interviewing experts in the field provides valuable insights and helps expand one's professional network and knowledge base. Time Stamps:  00:00:05 - Podcast Introduction Introducing the Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart podcast with host Dr. Karen Litzy, including a disclaimer about the content. 00:00:27 - Guest Introduction Jenna Cantor introduces Dr. Alyssa Arms, discussing her impressive background and contributions to the physical therapy profession. 00:00:48 - Alyssa's Multifaceted Career Alyssa briefly describes her diverse roles within the theater and physical therapy sectors, including her private practice and work as a professor. 00:01:21 - Podcast Focus and Value of Time The conversation shifts to the importance of the listener's time and Alyssa's understanding of running a niche podcast. 00:02:08 - Dance Med Spotlight Podcast Alyssa shares the title and theme of her own podcast, which focuses on dance medicine and dance science. 00:02:20 - Decision to Start a Podcast Jenna asks Alyssa about her motivations for starting her podcast and the thought process behind it. 00:02:40 - Alyssa's Podcasting Journey Alyssa recounts her initial hesitations and the support she received from Jimmy McKay of P.T. Pintcast, which helped her start her podcast. 00:04:26 - Support Among Podcasters Jenna and Alyssa discuss the supportive nature of the podcasting community and the importance of not worrying about overlapping content. 00:05:08 - Individuality in Podcasting The hosts talk about the uniqueness of each podcast and how different styles and approaches can attract various audiences. 00:06:33 - Interviewing and Learning from Guests Alyssa explains how interviewing guests on her podcast has been a learning experience and has helped her build a professional network. 00:07:04 - Consistency and Time Management The challenges of maintaining a consistent podcast release schedule and managing time effectively are discussed. 00:08:27 - Marketing and Promotion Alyssa touches on the difficulties of marketing a podcast and ensuring it reaches the intended audience. 00:09:00 - Balancing Podcasting with Other Responsibilities Alyssa talks about the struggle of juggling podcasting with her private practice and teaching responsibilities. 00:10:05 - Financial Aspects of Podcasting Jenna inquires about the costs associated with starting and running a podcast, and Alyssa provides a rough estimate. 00:11:05 - The Challenge of Finding Podcast Guests Alyssa discusses the ongoing effort required to find and secure guests for her podcast episodes. 00:12:21 - Return on Investment (ROI) for Niche Podcasts The hosts consider the ROI of running a niche podcast, including the intangible benefits and challenges of not always knowing the impact on listeners. 00:13:30 - Motivations for Running a Niche Podcast Alyssa shares her personal motivations for running her podcast, emphasizing the dissemination of information over financial gain. 00:14:58 - Building Trust and Networking through Podcasting Jenna shares her own reasons for podcasting, focusing on building trust within the dance physical therapy community. 00:16:54 - The Pros of Interviewing Guests Alyssa highlights the benefits of learning from guests and expanding her professional network through her podcast. 00:17:46 - Content Creation and Social Media Presence The conversation shifts to how podcasting can enhance social media content and increase visibility. 00:19:05 - Flexibility and Adaptability in Podcasting Alyssa advises on being adaptable with podcasting goals and being open to shifts in audience and content focus. 00:20:38 - Advice for Aspiring Podcasters Alyssa offers advice to those considering starting a niche podcast, emphasizing organization, persistence, and self-kindness. 00:22:31 - Ultimate Goals for a Niche Podcast Jenna asks about Alyssa's long-term vision for her podcast, and Alyssa expresses her desire for the podcast to at least be self-sustaining financially. 00:24:45 - Final Thoughts and Contact Information Alyssa provides her contact information and final thoughts on the value of podcasting within the dance medicine community.   More About Dr. Alyssa Arms: Dr. Alyssa Arms is the owner of Back in Step Physical Therapy, located in Centennial, Colorado. She attended the University of Denver for her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She then went to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus for her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She later obtained a board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. Besides her training and experience as a physical therapist, Dr. Alyssa has over 30 years of experience as a dancer, having received training in ballet and pointe, jazz, tap, hip hop, and salsa. She has also been a national circuit competitor in West Coast Swing since 2010. Dr. Alyssa also loves to teach others. She is a Clinical Senior Instructor at her alma mater, CU Anschutz, in the physical therapy program. She has also been a guest instructor in other programs, including the University of Northern Colorado Dance Education Master of Arts program and the Colorado School of Chinese Medicine. In addition, she provide seminars and workshops for a variety of dance organizations and conferences. She is passionate about keeping dancers happy and healthy, whether that's through rehabilitation and recovery, prevention and wellness services, or teaching opportunities for dancers and dance instructors alike!   Resources from this Episode: Dr. Alyssa's website Dance Med Spotlight Podcast Dr. Alyssa's Instagram Dr. Alyssa on Facebook Dr. Alyssa on YouTube   Jane Sponsorship Information: Book a one-on-one demo here Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month     Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Twitter Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn   Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher iHeart Radio

On this episode of Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart, Dr. Jenna Kantor interviews Dr. Veronica Canada, a specialist in sports physical therapy who shares her extensive background in competitive swimming and diving. From starting at a young age to competing in college, she delves into the physical and mental lessons learned from these sports. Today's podcast will discuss the differences and similarities in shoulder injuries seen within the swimming and springboard diving population. How understanding the biomechanics of each sport, current research, and training regimens can help mediate an evaluation as a physical therapist and create an appropriate plan of care. Tune in to gain insights into the differences between swimming and diving and discover how her experiences have influenced her practice in physical therapy. Show notes:  [00:02:31] Scuba diving research challenges. [00:05:46] Shoulder injuries in swimmers vs. divers. [00:07:37] Shoulder Strain in Competitive Swimming. [00:12:52] Swimming injuries and accidents. [00:16:04] Shoulder stability in swimming. [00:21:46] Swimmers counting strokes for positioning. [00:22:29] Diving accidents in Sharks and Meadows.   More About Dr. Canada: Veronica Canada PT, DPT, ATCis an enthusiastic and energized woman who was born and raised in New York. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Athletic Training with double minors in Kinesiology and Early Childhood Education from George Mason University in 2018. In 2023, she graduated from Dominican University New York with her doctorate in physical therapy, where she received “The Clinical Education Award”, which is an award given to one candidate that best exemplifies the university's mission and American Physical Therapy Association's core values.    Her passion for both athletic training and physical therapy not only stems from being an educator within her local public school system, but also from her 15+ year-long career in swimming and diving. Dr. Canada first started competitively swimming at the age of 7 and competitively diving at the age of 12. She took her talents and competed on a varsity level for her high school swimming and diving team for 5-years. By the time she was 16, Dr. Canada simultaneously competed in both year-round swimming and diving for the New York Sharks Swim Club and West Point Diving Club. After qualifying for New York State Sectionals in both swimming and diving and achieving Most Valuable Player for her high school team, she then moved on to compete at a Division 1 level for George Mason University's Diving team.    Not only was Dr. Canada a swimmer and diver, but she also participated in softball, gymnastics, dance, and soccer, making her well-experienced with the physical and mental demands of being an athlete and versatile in the sports world. She continues to share and educate her experience and knowledge to the athletic community as she continues to practice as a licensed athletic trainer in New York and New Jersey.   Throughout her career thus far, Dr. Canada has also had the opportunity to speak on multiple national platforms, one being historic, making her the first person in the American Academy of Physical Therapy to teach a continuing education course as a student. In addition to her educational accomplishments, Dr. Canada is currently a traveling physical therapist, a diving coach, a director for Future Stars Diving Camp, and a member of multiple organizations such as the National Athletic Trainer's Association, the American Physical Therapy Association, and the American Academy of Physical Therapy.   Resources from this Episode: Dr. Canada's Instagram   Jane Sponsorship Information: Book a one-on-one demo here Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month     Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Twitter Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn   Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher iHeart Radio

In this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy & Smart podcast, guest host Dr. Jenna Kantor interviews Dr. Sarah Troicky about her journey in physical therapy, specializing in dance. Dr. Troicky shares the obstacles she faced in her early career and how she overcame them to achieve success. They discuss the importance of niching down in a specific area and the challenges it entails. Dr. Troicky also talks about her background in dance and how it influenced her career in physical therapy. Tune in to hear her inspiring story and valuable insights.   Show notes:  [00:04:03] Industry challenges and body image. [00:05:08] Body acceptance and diversity. [00:11:06] Overcoming emotional challenges in healthcare. [00:14:13] The problem with referrals. [00:21:16] Creating connections with dance studios. [00:24:03] Overcoming creative roadblocks.   More About Dr. Sarah Troicky: Sarah Troicky is the owner and founder of Trinity Physical Therapy and Wellness.  She is originally from Longmont Colorado and currently lives in Lakewood. Her journey into the realm of physical therapy was shaped by a deep-seated passion for dance, an art form she fell in love with during her formative years.  With a rich background in various dance styles, including ballet, jazz, modern, tap, and hip hop, Sarah's expertise was acknowledged through numerous awards and scholarships. This recognition paved the way for her to dance in Hollywood, CA. During her time in California, she actively participated in a research study conducted by the physical therapy department of USC, focusing on common dance injuries. This unique experience ignited Sarah's desire to merge her two passions—physical therapy and dance. In 2019, Sarah graduated from Pacific University's doctorate of physical therapy program. Her academic journey included a specialized internship in dance, providing her with hands-on experience in working with dancers. Certified as an athletic trainer, Sarah brings extensive expertise in addressing sports-related injuries, having worked extensively with athletes. Sarah's approach to physical therapy is holistic, viewing each patient as a complete individual and aiming to address the root of the problem. Her qualities of patience, persistence, and unwavering commitment make her a dedicated ally in helping clients overcome pain. Beyond her professional pursuits, Sarah finds joy in spending quality time with her husband, Miguel, and their son, Luka. Her leisure activities include cooking, hiking, playing tennis, and indulging in the timeless joy of taking dance classes.   Resources from this Episode: Sarah's Website Sarah's Instagram Sarah's LinkedIn Sarah's Facebook     Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Twitter Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn   Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher iHeart Radio

On this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy & Smart podcast, host Dr. Karen Litzy is joined by Dr. Stephanie Weyrauch and Dr. Jenna Kantor, co-hosts of the podcast and leaders in the physical therapy field. They discuss the state of physical therapy in 2023 and share their thoughts on the value statement of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Stay tuned as they also reflect on their personal highs and lows of the year. Time Stamps:  [00:02:48] The value statement by APTA. [00:02:58] Utilizing media for promoting physical therapy. [00:07:58] Rise of venture capital firms. [00:11:54] Monopolization in private practice. [00:13:37] The importance of relationships. [00:18:23] Challenges of moving and starting a new practice. [00:21:36] Challenges in private practice. [00:26:41] Vet your vendors, ask for referrals. [00:30:55] Choosing a word for the year. [00:35:14] Friendship and gratitude. More About Stephanie and Jenna: Dr. Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT runs her own private practice, Jenna Kantor Physical Therapy, PLLC, and an online wellness program for performing artists called Powerful Performer. She is licensed to treat in New York and Pennsylvania. Upon graduating, Jenna Kantor worked professionally in musical theatre for 15+ years then found herself ready to move onto a new chapter in her life. Jenna was teaching ballet to kids ages 4 through 17 and group fitness classes to adults. Through teaching, she discovered she had a deep interest in the human body and a desire to help others on a higher level. She was fortunate to get accepted into the DPT program at Columbia University.  Dr. Kantor co-founded and runs Fairytale Physical Therapy which brings musical theatre shows to children in hospitals. She hosts the Dance PT Podcast and guest hosts on the podcast Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart. She has served as the NYPTA SSIG Advocacy Chair, the NYC Conclave 2017 committee, NYPTA Social media committee, was the NYPTA Public Policy Student Liaison, and co-founded the NYPTA SSIG. Dr. Kantor won the APTA PPS Business Concept Contest and made the top 40 List for an Up and Coming Physical Therapy with UpDoc Media before graduating PT school. ​Jenna Kantor currently volunteers with the PPS Marketing & PR Committee and is the website builder for the American Academy of Physical Therapy. She provides complimentary, regular online content that advocates for the physical therapy profession.  Stephanie Weyrauch, PT, DPT believes in a world where anyone can live a pain-free, fulfilling life. She takes a full-body holistic approach to patient care, identifying the underlying cause of your pain to reduce and often eliminate it so you can get back to doing what you love. She considers not just your pain problem but also your mindset and social situation to treat YOU the whole person--not just a body part.  Dr. Stephanie started her career working in a small private practice in rural Minnesota, where providers were so sparse that people traveled across the region to receive care. Many of these patients were new moms, people with pelvic pain, or women suffering from menopausal symptoms who struggled to find a provider who listened to their concerns and addressed the source of their discomfort. When Dr. Stephanie moved to urban Connecticut, she noticed the same problem: People had difficulty accessing the pelvic floor physical therapy they needed--due to a lack of specialist providers, time constraints, and limitations from insurance companies. These experiences influenced Dr. Stephanie to focus her practice on orthopedics and pelvic floor physical therapy and make it convenient for people to access high-quality care. With MovementX, her physical therapy practice is 100% mobile–she provides care in the comfort of your home, gym, or office. She brings a mobile treatment table and helps you decrease pain, increase strength/mobility, prevent injury, restore function, and coordinate your care plan. Wherever & whenever you need care, she can be there. It's convenient, valuable, & personalized to whatever you need. Call or text the number above to get directly in touch with her, and you can have a free phone consultation about what health goals you want to accomplish with specialized physical therapy care. Or click here to request care with her today. Resources from this show:  Value of PT  Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Twitter Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher iHeart Radio​

In this episode, Dr. Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT is joined by Veatrice Cook, PT, MA, to discuss her long career in physical therapy and the incredible legacy she will leave for generations to come. Veatrice is a leader in physical therapy and one of the founders of the American Academy of Physical Therapy. Beatrice shares her journey into physical therapy, which was sparked by watching a physical therapist on a soap opera. She discusses her passion for healthcare and how she found her calling in physical therapy. Tune in to be inspired by Beatrice's story and learn about the impact physical therapists can have on the profession.   Show notes:  [00:01:12] Soap opera inspires career choice. [00:06:33] Mental health and leadership. [00:09:42] Lack of representation in leadership. [00:17:30] The logo design. [00:19:25] Impact on students. [00:25:47] Working with the organization. [00:28:13] Fighting for equal job opportunities.   More About Veatrice: Veatrice A. Cook is a native East Texan, born in Livingston, Texas, where she grew up and graduated from Livingston High School in Polk County.   In her junior year of high school she realized that she wanted to be a physical therapist, and researched more about the profession, only to discover the challenges facing admission into a college program, as an African American student.  The number of African Americans that made up the physical therapy profession in 1968 was less than 2%. Ms. Cook received a BS degree in Physical Therapy from Texas Woman's University, Denton, Texas in1976, and a MA degree in Special Education, from the University of Texas, Austin, Texas in 1981.  As a clinician, she has been trained in the John F. Barnes' Myofascial Release Approach, and continues to use it in her practice setting.  Currently she is the Director of Rehabilitation for TeamCareRehab, Inc in San Antonio, Texas. After practicing for over 47 years she is often asked about retiring, and her reply is always, “ I love the work that I do, and it's really not work when it's something that you enjoy”. The limited number of African Americans in the profession of physical therapy, and the lack of mentors was the inspiration that gave Ms. Cook the zeal to help found and organize two professional Physical Therapy organizations:  The Texas Network of Minority Physical Therapists (TNMPT) in 1987 and The American Academy of Physical Therapy, Inc (AAPT) in 1989.  Ms. Cook, along with Dr. Lynda Woodruff were the organizers, and two of the Founders of the AAPT.  82 African American physical therapists and physical therapist assistants met in Chicago, Illinois on September 16, 1989 to form this great organization, along with 13 others that sent funds to help in the efforts.  Ms. Cook, the meeting facilitator was elected as the Charter Treasurer, and served as Annual Conference Chair for 10 years.  She was also an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the Texas Physical Therapy Association, and serviced as Chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Minority Affairs for the APTA.  As a community activist, Ms. Cook has served on numerous boards and nonprofit organizations, and has been awarded many honors for her service.  In her profession she received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Texas Woman's University and the Leadership Award from the AAPT. Ms. Cook often says that here greatest honor is being the mother of three wonderful children, Marcus Lorioun, Vernetha Dionne, and Lawrence Ray Williams, Jr., who are all college graduates and have successful careers.  She is also a grandmother of two outstanding grandsons who are carrying on the family tradition of leadership in their high school.   More About Jenna: Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, is a bubbly and energetic woman who was born and raised in Petaluma, California. She trained intensively at Petaluma City Ballet, Houston Ballet, BalletMet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Regional Dance America Choreography Conference, and Regional Dance America. Over time, the injuries added up and she knew she would not have a lasting career in ballet. This lead her to the University of California, Irvine, where she discovered a passion for musical theatre.    Upon graduating, Jenna Kantor worked professionally in musical theatre for 15+ years then found herself ready to move onto a new chapter in her life. Jenna was teaching ballet to kids ages 4 through 17 and group fitness classes to adults. Through teaching, she discovered she had a deep interest in the human body and a desire to help others on a higher level. She was fortunate to get accepted into the DPT program at Columbia.   Dr. Kantor co-founded and runs Fairytale Physical Therapy which brings musical theatre shows to children in hospitals. She hosts the Dance PT Podcast and guest hosts on the podcast Healthy, Wealthy, and Smart. She has served as the NYPTA SSIG Advocacy Chair, the NYC Conclave 2017 committee, NYPTA Social media committee, was the NYPTA Public Policy Student Liaison, and co-founded the NYPTA SSIG. Dr. Kantor won the APTA PPS Business Concept Contest and made the top 40 List for an Up and Coming Physical Therapy with UpDoc Media before graduating PT school. ​ Jenna Kantor currently volunteers with the PPS Marketing & PR Committee and is the website builder for the American Academy of Physical Therapy. She provides complimentary, regular online content that advocates for the physical therapy profession.    Dr. Kantor runs her own private practice, Jenna Kantor Physical Therapy, PLLC, and an online wellness program for performing artists called Powerful Performer. She is licensed to treat in New York and Pennsylvania. ​ Jenna continues to perform in musical theatre and lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband, doggy, and two cats.    Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Twitter Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn   Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher iHeart Radio      

Today we interviewed Dr. Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, a performing artist, and dancer. We take a deep dive into the dance rehab world and discuss strategies for optimal recovery.Her websites: https://www.jennakantorpt.com/, email: jennakantordpt@gmail.com

NEW PHARTS Podcast Episode!!!

How To Enjoy The Journey by Jenna Kantor

In this episode, Dr. Jenna Kantor talks with Dr. Drew Contreras about the rigors of working as a PT for the President of the United States.    More about Drew Contreras: Drew Contreras, PT, DPT, SCS  – received his Master of Physical Therapy from Gannon University in 1998 and his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2008.  He is board an APTA board certified Sports Clinical Specialist since 2003.  His professional interests are sports medicine; manual therapy; blood flow restriction; bio-technology; musculoskeletal injury prevention, diagnosis and rehabilitation as well as human performance optimization.   Serving over 20 years on active duty as a career military officer and practicing physical therapist within the US Army & Department of Defense, Drew has served in a number of settings and military units throughout his career before his retirement in 2020. He spent his early career at Ft Benning, GA and then moved on to Ft Bragg, NC.  His skills were put to work extensively in 2006-2007 during a 15 month continuous deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was the first physical therapist to serve in sustained combat operations with the 82nd Airborne Division. After returning Drew moved to Washington DC to work at the Pentagon Health Clinic where he served as the Director of Wellness and Physical Therapy.  During this time he served as a consultant to the White House Medical Unit and was then chosen as a by name selection by President Obama to serve as the first ever full time physical therapist at the White House.  There he served as the Physical Therapist to the White House Medical Unit and President of the United States Barack Obama from 2010 until the end of the administration in 2017.   To learn more, follow Drew at:  His Website Twitter   Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: Website:                      https://podcast.healthywealthysmart.com Apple Podcasts:          https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-wealthy-smart/id532717264 Spotify:                        https://open.spotify.com/show/6ELmKwE4mSZXBB8TiQvp73 SoundCloud:               https://soundcloud.com/healthywealthysmart Stitcher:                       https://www.stitcher.com/show/healthy-wealthy-smart iHeart Radio:               https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-healthy-wealthy-smart-27628927   Read The Full Transcript Here: Welcome to the healthy, wealthy and smart podcast. Each week we interview the best and brightest in physical therapy, wellness and entrepreneurship. We give you cutting edge information you need to live your best life healthy, wealthy and smart. The information in this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be used as personalized medical advice. And now, here's your host, Dr. Karen Litzy.   00:35 Hey everyone, welcome back to the podcast. I am your host Karen Litzy. And today's episode is brought to you by Net Health. So when it comes to boosting your clinics, online visibility, reputation and referrals, net Hills Digital Marketing Solutions has the tools you need to beat the competition. They know you want your clinic to get found get chosen and definitely get those five star reviews on Google. They have a fun new offer if you sign up and complete a marketing audit to learn how digital marketing solutions can help your clinic when they will buy lunch for your office. If you're already using NET Health's private practice EMR, be sure to ask about his new integration, head over to net help.com forward slash li T zy to sign up for your complimentary marketing audit today. All right onto today's episode, Dr. Jenna Cantor is back and today she is interviewing Dr. Andrew contrary us he received his master of physical therapy from Gannon University in 1998 and his doctor physical therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2008. He is board certified sports clinical specialist and has served over 20 years on active duty as a military officer and practicing physical therapist within the US Army and Department of Defense. He has served a number of settings and military units throughout his career before retiring in 2020. After retiring drew moved to Washington, DC to work at the Pentagon health clinic where he served as the director of wellness and physical therapy there. During this time, he served as a consultant to the White House medical unit and was then chosen as a by name selection by President Barack Obama to serve as a first ever full time physical therapists at the White House. There he served as the physical therapist to the White House medical unit and President of the United States, Barack Obama from 2010 till the end of the administration 2017. He has worked with a wide variety of government officials as well as police and law enforcement agencies. And today he's going to talk a little bit more about his experience. And it just goes to show you that there are so many options and so many settings that physical therapist can work in. So I think Drew and I think Jennifer great episode. Hello, this is Jenna canter so honored to be hosting this podcast for healthy, wealthy and smart. I am here with Dr. Drew Contreras who just said Just call me Drew. And I was like, Oh, that's so cool. So Drew or gesture is one you want to get his autograph when you know what he has done. This is the the physical therapist for Brock Obama and Michelle Obama. And then the current president and first lady, which is just not and as soon as I learned this, and then got to hear him speak at a conference. I was like, this is somebody that I am desperate and enamored, inspired by must feature on this podcast. And I approached him a complete stranger. At this conference, I sat right next to him dinner and as he didn't know me, and he said, Yes, this superstar said yes to doing this podcast. So Drew, thank you so much for agreeing to come on to this podcast. My pleasure. Right, like   03:54 it   03:55 is I appreciate the kind words thank you very much. Absolutely. And that's how I'm going to be approaching this this podcast as a young professional in the physical therapy industry that saying, How did you do this? How did you get to this point, and we're just talking about executive medicine here to really understand point a point B, I feel like from the conversations I've had with people outside this podcast, there isn't one way to eat a Reese's. It's not some clear pathway if you want to get this way you you're gonna fit in this box and it's very much like the performing industry. It's like there's no it's not one agent that's going to get you that movie. So we're here to just hear hear your story where where you got started and how that led to such a   04:43 prestigious and how honor what an honor, I have a position to get to do. Yeah, um, so I think that   04:55 I think that regardless of like what you're pursuing, right, whether   05:00 That's, you know, working in executive medicine or like you said, working with a performing arts group or, you know, working with a traveling band or a sports team or whatever, right, I think the thing that people   05:14 really de emphasize, which is the exact opposite of what should happen is, you need to be really, really good at what you do. Right, there needs to be no question that you are exceptional about what it is that you provide. And I think that people get lost in wanting the end state. And they, they don't go through the process properly. Right. So just just to be blunt, right? Like, if you've got, you know, 18 months of experience, you probably shouldn't be the person on the sidelines on a high contact sporting event, who's the only person that's available? Right, that's probably not the best plan. And likewise, right, like, you probably shouldn't be the sole healthcare provider on a plane someplace when like, you barely really know what you're doing it. So I think that people get confused with, in order to get to the end state, right, I need to go through these, like, I need to know somebody or I need to, I need to have a, like you said, there's a person who will get me there.   06:17 The only thing that will ever get you there is is being exceptional what you do, right? Because when you start talking about things, especially like executive medicine, you have to realize that the people that make it to this point or this level up are exceptional at what they do, right. And they have made a living off of calling people out on the BS card. Right? Like, they know when you are not exceptional at what you do, because they they've seen it for so long. So if you're not at least there, right, if you haven't found your, your, your apex of your skill set, it's not a place you want to be. Right. So first get there, right, get really, really good at what you do. And then if that's if you've made it to that point, opportunities will unfold themselves, right? If you're prepared if you're really good at what you do. So I think that's the best thing I can say to people is, like you said, there's no, there's no cookie cutter path to getting into this, as there shouldn't be right, because it's certainly not for everybody.   07:23 Yeah, I think that's really well said, and I want to tap on the assessment of what it means to be good at what you do. And this is my opinion, but I'm going to put it in here. And then I would love your thoughts. But don't base your success off of other PTS opinions based off of other patients opinions.   07:47 I think we really mix that up. I think we really do. And it's just not everyone. What are the patients saying? What is your success rate? There are the ones that if they do get do they come back to get I would base it off that I think we worry too much about what our   08:02 comrades that's the word that's in my head right now are thinking. I think you're absolutely right. Right. Like if   08:11 I think there's a difference between   08:15 external validation, right, which is kind of what people say about you. And that can be rewarding, right. It can also be incredibly destructive, but but it can be rewarding for some people. And that's different than than defining   08:31 a level of expertise or level of success. Right. That should be pretty objective. You should be able to measure that with clinical outcomes. You mean, like you said, even just sheer recommendations and referrals from existing patient? Right, or sources? Right. That's it. That's a better   08:51 litmus test than who said, what about you on Twitter? Yes, yes, yes. Or if you're, if you're there a different way. So what about you or say you go to a conference like CSM, and everybody has been in this industry for certain periods of time. And when we create relationships with people, the ones where we are really more connected to we just generally bond with just like our friends in life outside of the business? Are even if they're not, you're not friends with the right people. It doesn't mean anything. It doesn't mean anything. I have a friend who just got on Broadway, she had zero friends who are on board, you know, like, she wasn't like, let me see of friends on Broadway, but not like close, close. You know, I just I think we can get stuck in that. Like, I'm associated with them. So therefore, like I can't, in the, like I said the reality is, even if that association gets you a conversation or a phone call, right? It won't sustain you for very long. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. What is the schedule and   10:00 Life, like in regards to when you're doing such a high profile job? Yeah, you know, I bet   10:12 I think I would average it out to people would call me get a hold of me at least two or three times a month and say like, they wanted to be the White House physical therapist, and I finally got it down to like, okay, um, that's, that's great that you're interested, I need to know, if you're okay with this, you will not have any vacation days throughout the year zero, you can never buy a ticket. That's non refundable to anything, you must be okay, giving up attending any sort of family event, kids sporting games, whatever it may be.   10:47 In the event that you actually do get to go on vacation somewhere, you must be okay with it, they call you you have to leave immediately and come back. If you're okay, with these basic things, we can have a conversation, right? And most people immediately are like, well, that's not what I wanted. I just wanted to fly on a jet. You know, and, you know, have people think that I'm, you know, in this prestigious environment, like   11:11 all these things come in a price, right? It's, it's not, it's not an easy price, right? I will forever   11:19 hold Brock Obama responsible for the fact that we both started there with black hair, and ended up with gray hair.   11:28 super stressful environment, it's long hours, it's unpredictable at times. chaotic, and it's just not an easy place to to exist in, if you aren't already comfortable in your own skin, right? So to basically understand is that   11:47 your professionalism has to supersede what your personal goals are, or your personal life is if you're going to be successful in that environment. And that's just the level of dedication that it takes. When you say professionalism. Would you mind defining that? Because professional means of a profession? And so that can be very vague. Yeah, I think that it means right.   12:12 I think that it means that you need to be willing to put forward   12:19 your best on any day in any place, and do the best you can for those patients, or those people that you're serving. And it's really, you know, kind of a, a selfless service attitude that would make you successful. And that's what I mean by professionalism. Right? It has to come first, right? It doesn't matter if you had, you know, plans to do a thing, or you were supposed to be going out to dinner with your spouse or whatever, right? Like, that's the level of professionalism that's expected. Absolutely. I like thank you so much for that. I was thinking it was singing, it actually really reminded me of swings on Broadway, they have a very similar situation, except they're not the main person, but they have to be available at a moment's notice. So just like and during the Christmas breaks that the leads or the ensembles take, they're the ones that jump in, and if anything comes up, they're the ones that are, I mean, if I want to say somebody who truly has probably the least brake, in the run of a Broadway show, it's the swings. So that's it. That's just where my brain went. because theater is my background theater is my sport, my sport. Absolutely. So I like that. That's so interesting. And, and I think it's always good to know the full picture of what it means to do something. I'm going to compare it to Broadway and musical theater because that's what I know. It reminds me when including myself when you first graduate school and you're a performer, singer, actor, dancer, you're like, oh, I want to make it on Broadway. However the schedule on Broadway, it's six days a week, one day off, the main holidays you are going to be performing that's when you have the most people attending. You're going to miss on so many things that go on in your life for being dedicated to the Broadway show. So knowing that you're going to miss so much of life not just a little like a lot like your nephew's events, whatever you're going to miss everything. And in in your downtime the days that you have one show your whole day is revolved subconscious or consciously around putting on your best performance that night so you have to be careful with your energy everything because that is there that is your main job that's your main go to so it it really does sound so reminiscent of that you got to have a passion for it as much I do think there's a little bit more selfish and that's okay to be selfish. It will regarding performing because you are a person who loves applause loves that stage and everything you are of course giving I would say it's like   15:00 5050 But I do think it would be different compared to the physical therapy job that you're doing. Because the only reason why and we discussed this before, the only reason why we can even say your name in association with a be with these people is because they have publicly said your name, you know, and that's that's an end. But if you didn't have that we would not that's that would we would be doing all this other words to go around it appropriately, you wouldn't talk about in the reality of it is   15:33 another, I was doing something else. And somebody asked me, they were like, What would you consider one of the biggest achievements that you've done professionally? And I would say that   15:44 until after 2017. Right? Nobody knew who I was and what I was doing. Right. And that was that was my goal, right was that nobody knew that. I was a White House physical therapist, nobody knew who I was where I was at the things I was doing, because that was the job. Right? The job wasn't to be. It's not it's not the world's business. Right. Right. And then so, and I think that that's fair. Right. I think then that and I think that that's really important. And then so like you said, you kind of have to understand that like,   16:16 the people who are concerned with the trappings, right with, like, what do I get out of it? Right, will be severely disappointed. And executive medicine, because that should never be what it's about. Right? It should never be about what are you getting out of it? Because if that's the case, you know, you won't be doing it for very long, right? There's, there's a saying in the in the Gulf PT community is, you know, if you want to be around a long time, you don't want to be around all the time. Right. And basically, what that means is like, you should not be trying to be, you know, the inner circle person. Right? You shouldn't try to be the best friend of these, these high profile individuals, if your goal is to, you know, be of service and do your job for a long time. Because you because that's just not the way it works. Right. So that's just kind of a reference point that I, I found, just like you said, very similar to performing arts, right. It's just kind of there's there's parallels and all these different sub communities. I mean, it really goes back to just loving truly loving what you do, and it's okay, if you don't, it's okay. Not every job, or every specific thing is meant for everyone. That's why we have so many different options and more options keep popping up after the pandemic now.   17:34 Yeah, you have to love what you do. You have to love what you do. See, I love being the center of attention, because I'm a performer and a physical therapist. So I know, right off the bat, that couldn't be for me, because for me not to be able to be like them. And the way that I was in like, doing a whole photo shoot there trying out different heels for the photoshoots. All that stuff. Like that would be the I would be the worst person because I'd be mourning getting to do that. It's so right. So there's always the question, people would ask, like, Oh, can you do this there? Or can you do that? Or can you do this? And the answer is always you can do whatever you want on your last day. You want today to be your last day. Feel free to do that. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, it's HIPAA compliance. I mean, that's the biggest thing. It's a HIPAA compliance. And then we have people they're just taking care of the United States.   18:29 That's such a high level. It's such high level, you know, I mean, wow, wow.   18:35 I was wondering for you, because it's this level of executive medicine is very   18:45 high profile. There's a lot going on there. I'm not asking for details behind the scenes. That's none of our business. But I'm, I'm curious about how it affected your stress levels and your anxiety while there and how you manage that during that time to make sure you were able to be fully present and helpful, even though it may have kind of fallen on your shoulders a little bit. And on that note, we'll take a quick break to hear from our sponsor and be right back with Drew's response   19:17 when it comes to boosting your clinics, online visibility, reputation and increasing referrals, net Health's Digital Marketing Solutions has the tools you need to beat the competition. They know you want your clinic to get found, get chosen and definitely get those five star reviews on Google. Net Health is a fun new offer if you sign up and complete a marketing audit to learn how digital marketing solutions can help your clinic when they will buy lunch for your office. If you're already using Net Health private practice EMR, be sure to ask about this new integration. Head over to net health.com forward slash li tz y to sign up for your complimentary marketing audit.   19:53 You know the best way   19:58 to kind of describe that   20:00 Is is, I think that it's important to surround yourself with, with people that are understanding of your situation, right? Because because   20:13 it's inevitable that you will have conflicts or that you'll have to back out of things, right. And if people don't understand your situation and the level of service and dedication you have, they just think you're selfish, right? So like the, I'm sorry, I know, I said, I was gonna come to your barbecue, but I just can't, I can't make it now. And, and I need you to be okay with that, and may not provide you an explanation of why. Right? And that's a hard thing, right? And you will find out pretty quickly, like, who, who's accepting of you and who's not? Right, because because most people will just stop inviting you to things right? Or they'll just, they'll just cut you out of their life. And there's some degree rightfully so. Right.   20:52 So I think it's just important to make sure that you surround yourself with that. And if you're a person with the family, right, like, this has to be an honest conversation that you have upfront.   21:02 This is not something that you kind of tiptoe around or like, make it up to you. Like, you'll be saying that forever, you'll never make it up, right? It just needs to be an acceptance of like this is this is part of what's acceptable.   21:17 And that's not like you said, That's not for everybody, right? It's absolutely not for everybody. So I just think that in order to be able to perform at a sustained sustainable level, right, for a duration, not just like,   21:31 once, or like, twice, right, but to continue to do that, you have to accept that. So I will. Another thing that comes to mind is, I once saw an interview with Michael Jordan, who is, you know, arguably one of the greatest basketball players of all time, regardless of what you think. Right? And Michael Jordan was interviewed and, and, and he said, you know, what's, what's it, what's difficult about it, and he said, you know, people who want to be Michael Jordan for a day or a game, you know, like, of course, I'd love to be Michael Jordan for a day or a game. But being me for a season, right? Or for a year, or for a couple of years of a championship run year after year after year, right? The commitment and sustainment that that requires, like, people don't want to do that. Right. And that's what I would say to people to like, it's super cool to work at the White House for a day for a weekend. Right, right. But do it for do it for a year, or an administration. Right? Or be stupid enough to come back and do it again. If somebody asks you, right, like, that's, that's a whole different level. Right? So it's super exciting. You know, it's interesting for for a weekend or a day or whatever, but like, but long term, right? Like, it's a commitment. Yeah, that makes me think of certain roles. I'm always going to bring it back to theater because that's my brain. It makes me think of Elphaba in in Wicked or Vita in Aveda, where Aida and Aida where they are literally doing like vocal aerobics, they don't stop singing. So when they are outside of the show, from   23:09 what I've learned, and especially if you're talking about a Broadway one, so they are doing what is it seven to eight shows a week, they get the one day off, they are not talking much outside of that show. If you want to reserve like or if they do they know what they can and cannot handle. Because the amount of singing. Elphaba I've learned is such a difficult track because of how you're, you're going from one part even if you're not in a scene for a moment you're rushing doing a costume change it's it's a very non stop role. So if you are looking to lose weight, no,   23:47 no but it so it just makes me think of that, you know, different things can cut you out of living your life, which is why I've always said I would love to do Elphaba at a regional theater for three weeks.   24:03 done done like like he's like Michael Jordan said for temporary. I think it's so good to take in this perspective and take things in as a whole. We were talking when we met the group was discussing how really understanding in this is a bigger picture thing but really understanding what physical therapy is before you even decide to join the profession as a big deal that needs to be much more transparent. And we can sit there and see all these shiny other things like oh, I want to trade for Broadway or I want to do executive medicine or oh, I want to work for this sports team. But really asking yourself all the tough questions on what goes into that? Well, I mean, if you're talking about money, great, but like, Have you ever had money and then like how fast did that money go? Did it really make you happy? So many so many things on that.   24:52 But   24:53 the details of the job will that will you enjoy that? That's your life. You're going to spend the majority of your time on the job not   25:00 off the job. So you got to make sure it's something that you like and really do your due do your due diligence in that. But I think it can be very difficult to give and provide the full picture to for anything. I don't know, I don't really know, have a clear way to make it clear.   25:20 I think that   25:23 I think that like part of that, I think is our own fault is PTS, right? I think that the general public struggles to understand what we do as a whole, right? It's, it's easy to do it in in subsets. Like it's easy to understand. Okay, well, I was on crutches. And I had a cast, and then I had to see a PT because my ankle was broke, right? Or the, you know,   25:52 mom had a stroke. She's in rehab, she sees a PT every day, so she can get better and come home. But the hard thing is like,   26:03 the professions bigger than that, right? It's, it's more and we've overcomplicated it instead of really kind of simplifying it down. Because the reality is right. What do PTS do? Well, we help people do whatever it is they want to do. And we get them back to or allow them to do the things that they want to do.   26:24 And that's it, that that's the that's the big selling point of it is, if you're not interested in doing that, I'm, like you said just about every day of your life, this is not the right profession for you. Right? Like, if you thought that, well, I would, I will have a very nice car, and I will have these set hours and I will you know be able to do these things like you're going to be miserable hate because I think that people didn't get into the profession for the wrong reasons, just like any job. When eventually, right? It will be taxing to you. And if you're not down with whoever that person is, it's you're talking to and working with, if you're not okay with, I'm here to get you to where you want to be. So that whatever that thing is, whether that's walking your kid down the aisle at a wedding, whether that's going on a hike, again, whether it's walking the dog, right or like putting your shirt on by yourself, right, whatever those things are. Now in a handstand, of course,   27:26 like if you're not okay doing that,   27:29 we're never going to be happy with with what PT does, right? So I think that that's the thing that people need to kind of understand if I wish, if I had anything to say to anybody who's listening who's like thinking about it, think about that. Are you okay with doing that, that be your role in life? And if that is not appeal to you, you need to find something else. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. It really is a   27:55 job board, you're of service, but you have to love being of service in this manner. Like if it doesn't feed your soul, like then how, like no money can ever pay you enough. It's never never enough. It'll never be enough. And that's okay. That's okay. It's I take like, exactly, you got to figure out what you love. I feel pretty lucky. Because I went into school, dreading that I was going to school and I felt like public embarrassment in the musical theater world because I entered school as a quitter. Because that's what it looks like, like, I'm leaving my profession. And so I had people offering me get professional gigs while I was in my first year of school. And I was embarrassed. Meanwhile, other people were posting and going, Oh, I started up in school, because it was a prestigious school and everything. And I was like, quiet for the first at least a year, if not more about what where I was.   28:52 I mean, it's all perspective. But then I learned I got a sometimes don't just take that one experience. And for me, I had that which was beautiful, seeing how it can change people. And yeah, yeah, but if that doesn't work for you, it doesn't work for you. I love that. Yeah, so for you. In executive medicine, I don't know if you know, the data on this. I don't even know if it exists. But is there kind of an average of how, how long medical professionals usually stay within executive medicine? Or is there kind of like, usually it's about five or 10 years or something just because it is such a commitment and you're talking about family and all these things. Just wondering, I think that there's a there's a there's it is a   29:38 Oh, I think there's a short hump and a long term home. I don't think there's a lot of people in the middle. Oh, interesting. Yeah. I think that if most I would probably say two thirds right. It's a short   29:55 I don't know. I'm guessing you know, five to seven year experience, right? The people   30:00 Do that short. Yep. And then   30:04 yes, yes. I think there's nobody that's kind of in that like seven to 15. Year. And then I think you get another the the last third is in the 15. year plus right. So wow, a career choice, or have made that shift for whatever reason. In that direction. I think they kind of stay there.   30:28 But I don't think it's, yeah, yeah. I don't think it's a mid career thing. It's either a stop along the way, or eventually it becomes your, your pathway. The business side, I have a real dorky question here. It's not dorky. And because there are people who be curious, I'm curious about documentation. For some reason, I feel like it's gonna be theirs. Let's compare to a Rite Aid receipt versus a CVS receipt. I feel like it's probably a CVS receipt, am I wrong?   30:59 Here's what I would say. Right?   31:03 If you treat everybody the same, and document the same, you're always okay. That's it. Right? In, that's where you have to be, again, like you got to be good at what you do. And you got to be very comfortable with that, right? Because   31:18 you people, you'll be second guessed right, there will be consultations with other providers. That's just the nature of executive medicine, right. And so you need to be okay with what you're doing. And documentation is part of that, right, making sure that you're you're very clear about your plan of care and the things that you're doing and why you're doing them.   31:37 But if you, you know, if you do it the same, it doesn't matter, right? It's universal precautions, right? If you if you do it the same no matter what you're good to go. So that that'd be my two cents on that. And then we also think it might differentiate and regarding plan of care, because we're talking about exercise adherence, which is something that physical therapists are was talking about, it's one of my biggest passions is getting exercise. And it's so great when it works.   32:03 For your patients in general, that have a high anxiety life, lack of sleep life, how do you achieve that adherence in a realistic way to get results? Does that make sense? I'm trying to generalize, even though every patients different, but this is we're talking about a very specific level of high stress. Right? I think that you have to understand that when you're working in this kind of subset, the biggest commodity for people, their biggest asset, the thing that is the most valuable to them is time, time is their most valuable asset, right? It's not money, it's not, you know, I have stuff do I have, you know, it's not the resources of equipment, or what, like, it's time, their time is very valuable.   32:55 And you have to, you have to be a good steward of that, right? You have to respect that. And so you have to,   33:04 you're not going to give somebody you know, a printout with 15 exercises, that's going to take an hour and a half for them to do and tell them to do it three times a day, right? Like, this is not how this how it's gonna work. Right. So I think that if you understand that concept, in build your plan around that about what is the most effective thing I can do with you, or this amount of time, which is limited, and then you have to understand that that's, it's finite, right? There's not It's not unlimited, that there's a million priorities that are trying to take that time. And if you are, are good about using it and understand that it's a limited resource, then they'll appreciate it.   33:49 I just realize you have unusual, wonderful access to collaboration over there. And I started to think about food. Could I mean, you could No, here's, here's No, there's a purpose, because digestion, if their digestion is off, that actually can have a big effect on their healing process. Have you had opportunities to collaborate with the the shatter? That is so cool. Oh, that is like the best. Right? And again, right, like you, you have to get the most value out of the things that you can write. And it's really interesting in this world is that like, it's, it's usually a matter of making sure that you know, that people are meeting the caloric minimum, right that there because again, they're so busy, or figuring out what is the more effective way of doing this or how can we provide the requirements despite a busy travel schedule, right, or all the other you know, things that are demanding and then right and then also right, like, yeah, work with chefs nutritionist. Work with other   35:00 With personal trainers, massage therapists, you know, other health care providers like you just so cool. Like you're part of the bigger picture.   35:11 If you're there for that it'll work itself out. Yeah, it sounds like I mean, I'm sure there are discussions that have to happen. But it sounds like the dream collaboration because you have access to literally everybody in the picture that you would want to be present in the picture there. That is just so cool.   35:28 Like, Oh, yes. Oh, God, if I said that to any of my performers, hey, can you connect me with your, your nutritionist or your chef, so I can work? And be like, Are you kidding? Get out of here.   35:40 But wow, that's that's really, really cool. That's, that's getting the opportunity for next level. Next level stuff. Um, I was wondering if you have any fun memories from your first day on the job without getting specific about the individual, but just any? Yeah. So. So the very first day,   36:04 you know, I'm working with President Obama, right. It's a   36:09 White House is an interesting place, because   36:13 there's the work areas, there's were offices and whatnot. But then there's also an area called the residence, and that's where the family lives. And it's off limits to the staff, like people don't, nobody goes into the residents. That's their home. Right. So I was going to see the President and   36:33 in order that we were going up through to the president, so we get into their private elevator, right. And it was, you know, people that Oh, my God, he's getting in the elevator with them. And I didn't know any better, right? So I just, I just introduced myself to him. He's like, okay, hey, come with me. We're gonna go on the elevator and go upstairs. And, you know, I'll get changed up and then we'll go start work. I was like, Okay, great. So I come in the elevator, and he's like, you know, Hey, man.   36:58 What part of the island are you from? And I was like, I'm sorry. He's like, You. You're from Hawaii right? Now, in context. He's Hawaiian. Right? And people probably can't see me, right. But, you know, I'm absolutely a Pacific Islander. And I said, Actually, man, I'm from Cleveland. And he was like, wait, what? I said, Yeah, I'm, I'm from Cleveland. He's like Cleveland. And this was big, right at the time, where LeBron James had just left Cleveland to go to Miami. And if anybody knows anything about Obama, he's quite the basketball fan. So he turns to me and says, Cleveland, ah, that's too bad about LeBron. Like, without, like, I just met this man. Like, and, and so like, you know, growing up in Cleveland, like, I immediately got defensive. And I was like, well, that's too bad that Chicago sucks and everything. Right? So like, immediately, like, and then I was like, oh, oh, I'll be shooting that right. Like, but like he put, I just was completely caught off guard and put me on my heels. And I got defensive about clean. He was like, looked at me, and was like, we're gonna be okay, like, we're gonna get along. All right, right. So that's great. Then people always ask, like, What are you talking about? What you know, what things and things I would tell people is, like, we talked about three things for the majority of our entire interactions, sports, weather, and kid. Those are the three topics that we could talk about, if the conversation ever went somewhere else, right? My answer was usually, like, there's probably somebody who could talk about that, but it's not me. But you mean, referred to. And I think the weather is going to be crappy today, right? Like, and I kind of focused on that right to make sure that I was doing my job, right. And those topics we kind of came to through through just general conversations, these topics are safe and easy for us to talk about, and allowed him to be a patient and allowed me to be a clinician. Yeah, because if you want into anything else, Woof woof. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, too much. That's really cool. I like I like how you found a way to be sensitive and helpful with that sensitivity, you know, to give a human a break.   39:20 For real Oh, that's so magnificent. I think this is perfect. We're going to end here thank you so much for coming on. I'm not sure if there is is there a way for people to reach out to you and contact you if they wanted to? I don't know somehow connecting you can probably the easiest way for the general audience is just find me on on social media. Right? You can find me on Twitter, you see on Twitter. Yeah. DC underscore PTS easy to find me. You know, and eventually I'll, I'll look at it and get back to people but that's probably the easiest way for Pete for this audience to get a hold of me if somebody you know, is interested or just wants to you know,   40:00 Here's something else let me know. Thank you so much for coming on and looking forward to people. Hearing this interview I have learned so much and grown so much and honestly just left very, very inspired. Thank you so much drew for coming on. Thank you. A big thank you to Jenna and drew for a wonderful interview. And of course, thanks to Net Health for sponsoring so again they have a new offer if you sign up and complete a marketing audit to learn how digital marketing solutions can help your clinic when they will buy lunch for your office. Head over to net help.com forward slash li tz y to sign up for your complimentary marketing audit so you can boost your clinics online visibility, reputation and referrals. Thank you for listening and please subscribe to the podcast at podcast dot healthy wealthy smart.com And don't forget to follow us on social media

In this episode, Dr. Jenna Kantor interviews Dr. Sherrill Williams about diversity, equity, and inclusion in physical therapy.  Mabout Dr. Williams here:  A lifelong dancer and lover of the performing arts, Dr. Williams committed most of her life to studying Ballet, Modern, Jazz, and Hip Hop. It was not until her commitment to losing 90 lbs that she fell in love with fitness, and wanted to find a way to fuse her love of dance with health and wellness. This new mission sparked a fire that led to Dr.Williams receiving her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from New York University. Shortly after she founded Leg Up Fitness and Wellness, an online fitness company for performers that want their workout to feel less like exercise and more like dance. Leg Up's client credits include but are not limited to The 1st US National Tour of Aladdin, Hamilton, Lion King, Lizzo, Jidenna, John Legend, Todrick Hall, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Dr. Williams is a passionate advocate for dance injury pre-habilitation and rehabilitation and loves helping dancers around the U.S. virtually and in person. Follow Dr. Williams:  www.leguppt.com Instagram TikTok Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: Website:                      https://podcast.healthywealthysmart.com Apple Podcasts:          https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-wealthy-smart/id532717264 Spotify:                        https://open.spotify.com/show/6ELmKwE4mSZXBB8TiQvp73 SoundCloud:               https://soundcloud.com/healthywealthysmart Stitcher:                       https://www.stitcher.com/show/healthy-wealthy-smart iHeart Radio:                https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-healthy-wealthy-smart-27628927   Read the Full Transcript Here: 00:07 Welcome to the healthy, wealthy and smart podcast. Each week we interview the best and brightest in physical therapy, wellness and entrepreneurship. We give you cutting edge information you need to live your best life healthy, wealthy and smart. The information in this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be used as personalized medical advice. And now, here's your host, Dr. Karen Litzy.   00:35 Hey everybody, welcome back to the podcast. I'm your host Karen Litzy. Today's episode is brought to you by Net Health. So when it comes to boosting your clinics, online visibility, reputation and increasing referrals, net house digital marketing solutions, has the tools you need to beat the competition. They know you want your clinic to get found get chosen and definitely get those five star reviews on Google. They have a fun new offer if you sign up and complete a marketing audit to learn how Net Health Digital Marketing Solutions can help your clinic when they'll buy lunch for your office. If you're already using that health private practice EMR Be sure to ask about its new integration, head over to net health.com forward slash li tz why to sign up for your complimentary audit today. And like I've said before I actually use this product it works man did a bump me up in the Google search was awesome. Now on to today's podcast, which is being hosted by the ever wonderful Dr. Jenna cantor. And in today's episode, she interviews Dr. Cheryl Williams, a lifelong dancer and lover of the performing arts, Dr. Williams committed most of her life to studying ballet, modern jazz and hip hop. It was not until her commitment to losing 90 pounds that she fell in love with fitness and wanted to find a way to fuse her love of dance with health and wellness. This new mission sparked a fire that led Dr. Williams to receiving her doctor physical therapy degree from New York University. Shortly after she founded leg up fitness and wellness an online fitness company for performers that want their workout to feel less like exercise and more like dance leg UPS client credits include but are not limited to the first US national tour of Aladdin, Hamilton Lion King Lizzo Jidenna John Legend Todrick Hall, and complexions contemporary ballet. Dr. Williams is a passionate advocacy for dance injury, pre habilitation, and rehabilitation, and loves helping dancers around the US virtually and in person. So big thank you to Jenna and to Sherelle for coming onto the podcast so everyone enjoys today's interview.   02:42 Hello, healthy, wealthy and smart. This is Jenna cantor. I'm here with Dr. Sharon Williams, and I cannot be so grateful. So much more grateful right now to be on here with you. First of all, thank you, Sharon, for coming on to talk. Thank   02:54 you. Thank you for having me. I'm excited to be Yeah,   02:59 I love it. I'm really grateful on so many levels, the one we're friends to. And I think this is where I'm starting with where I'm comfortable and where I need to expand. So I'm just owning up to this. In physical therapy. I don't know a lot of black physical therapists, like holy crap. And so you're one of my few. And when I really took account, I took accountability. And I was like, Oh my God, a few people that I know who are black. So I'm starting with people I know. And then I'll expand out to more and more and more and more and more people and increase my network. But that is sad. After calling myself out. I am really excited to be talking about diversity equity inclusion. I feel like that was a pretty good segue because that is yeah, that is legit. So let's go back. You are a new grad congratulations. Thank you. We made it. We made it made it Sherelle is one of those people who thinks big and then achieves the big. So she's a nice person to be regularly inspired by and I'm super grateful to know you Sherelle. So diversity, equity and inclusion. What rehearing that whole statement in as one what are some first thought that comes to mind when it when it comes to physical therapy? There is no wrong answer. I just want your truth.   04:29 Well, I was gonna say when you like yeah, you're like one of the few black people I know that's a physical therapist. I was like me too, girl. Oh, no, me neither. Oh, I didn't know. Yeah, um, to be honest, I think it was CSM where they had a, a networking event and I was like, oh, there is a little community of us but we're just all scattered or you know around the world. But when I think of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within physical therapy, you know? No, I don't want to say non existent, but it's just, it's very small. You know, when I went to NYU, you know, I did visit a few schools. When I was doing the audition process when I was   05:22 Joe and I both are performers, as well. So that's what why audition process came to her mind. That's hilarious.   05:31 When I was going through, like the interview process, and I was looking at different schools, and like NYU, you was one of the few schools that you know, I did see quite a few black people. And I had, there was seven of us in my class, and two men, two black men, which is like crazy that I'm excited about to black men. But like, you don't see it at all.   05:59 No, you don't.   06:02 And it's an it's unfortunate, because it's such an amazing field. And I'm still kind of at the point where I'm like, is it that we are not applying? Because we don't know? Or is it that? You know, they're not letting us in the door? And I haven't really figured that out yet. But I do I do feel like a part could be, we don't know. Because a lot of times I feel like especially in the African American community. And you can also say African because those communities are very different. Culturally, you know, people No, go go be an ND nd ND, ND, ND nd? Or what do we need to do to get more people of color in or black people. Because I think that's going to do wonders when it comes to the community and getting people up. And, and healthy. Because unfortunately, in our culture, not many of us, I think my generation is more, it's a lot more active, but the older generation, not move until I think when we get more more people of color in into the field, and then we're talking about it. And we're excited about it, you know, then the community will come to and we'll see, you know, more people being active. And that's just my theory. That's what I've seen based on, you know, my family when I started school, that's what I'm talking about. I'm talking about moving. And my mom is like, oh, yeah, I'll go get a trainer. Or I'll do this or I'll move or they you know, they see me we can lead by example.   07:42 This is so helpful. Because everything and what you're calling rambling I call a more clear insight into what's true in your mind regarding diversity, equity and inclusion. And it's not just one component that it there's a need to be looking upon. First of all, with defining diversity, equity inclusion for you, like it seemed as though we're talking about black people, right now, we're just in which is that's absolutely, we're not seeing it. i There were very few in my class, and I didn't think anything of it. You know, to me, the fact that there were some people who are black, there were some people who were Asian, there were some people of some sort of Indian descent was like, wow, look at us, but there could be more. I agree from what, yeah, I still as a white person, I did not feel like a minority at all. In that group. In that setting. I felt just like, you know, hey, which is Yeah. My point is, from all these little things, let's start separating out different things that you were mentioning, first of all, with getting people in getting people into the profession, how did you get reached?   09:05 I, to be honest, I sort of think I got into NYU, praise God, I did apply to like 13 schools. I only got into NYU, and I honestly think it's because they had an interview process. Because on paper I didn't have like a four Oh, and I had some C's and I had to retake some classes. But when you get me in person, I can tell you and and why you happen to have an interview process and and I was able to shine in that way. And I think that speaks volumes. I hope that maybe other schools can adopt that because sometimes our paper with we don't, you know, I mean like but that doesn't have anything to do with, you know, how compassionate we are or how smart we are what will be Be like as, as a physical therapist, especially based oh my god, we had the GRE, I   10:08 didn't do the grade on that either. It's interesting, you're saying that because everything on paper only shows part of the picture. So when the schools are making it like that, and they're just looking at paper, I mean, right there, we are automatically going to be leaving a lot of people out, because our school systems are not equal. Yeah, what people are learning are not equal. So if you're just going off of what they happen to be born into, we're really cutting people off. We're really, really cutting people off from opportunity, and therefore, just continuing the cycle of a lot of whiteness in our field.   10:47 And something that I saw that I think would be also be great, like, okay, let's say we don't have time for the interview process, some of the HBCUs. Or if you don't know, historically black colleges and universities, they did like a video, like you had to send in a video and answer a prompt. And that way you get you get to show yourself. And I thought, you know, that was that was great. You know, I mean, it's something that could also be adopted by other schools. To give us a chance, you   11:24 know, I mean, absolutely, I think I think that that's a great idea as a way to be the change be the change. I don't know if you've ever heard this where it's, you know, God, it's a very I don't like this rhetoric, but it's the one where people are saying, not everyone, but people are saying, Oh, well, now people are just getting in because they're black. Can you share some thoughts to that? Because for so you know, I have an angry look on my face and Sherelle rolled her eyes. We're not shy about that. All right, would you mind response to that? Because, I mean, it angers me, but let's talk about this.   12:08 And on that note, we're gonna take a very quick break to hear from our sponsor, and be right back with Shirelles response. When it comes to boosting your clinics, online visibility, reputation and increasing referrals, net Health's Digital Marketing Solutions has the tools you need to beat the competition. They know you want your clinic to get found get chosen, and definitely get those five star reviews on Google. Net Health is a fun new offer. If you sign up and complete a marketing audit to learn how digital marketing solutions can help your clinic when they will buy lunch for your office. If you're already using Net Health private practice EMR, be sure to ask about its new integration, head over to net help.com forward slash li tz y to sign up for your complimentary marketing audit.   12:52 Wow, I've also never discussed this. I mean, if I was just to like speak, honestly,   12:57 yes, please.   13:01 White people get things because they're white all the time. Like not based on merit, not based on skill based on who they know. Or a back door. You know what I mean? And I as   13:17 a person who has benefited in that way, I can absolutely agree. It's Yes, yes. It's true. It's legit happened to me. I like I'm grateful. That's amazing. But like, also, that's so true.   13:32 And, and we're like we said this, the schools are not always even, we don't always have, you know, these connections. But a lot of times when you give us a chance, we go above and beyond, because we're like, hey, my ancestors didn't die for this. So I mean, like, and we deserve the chance, I just think we deserve the chance. The playing field is not going to even and this is our opportunity to try and be able to own probably, I think it kind of goes deeper than just Oh, black you let Black people in. But for so long. We couldn't get education. You know, we were enslaved. We built this. We literally built the US, you know, we couldn't own property. So now it's like, Hey, we're trying to get in these professions, so that we can make something of ourselves we can start building generational wealth. Like for me right now. I am like the person. I am the person right now and 2021 that is trying to start building generational wealth for my family, but why people have had this opportunity to do this and save and know about mutual fund all these different things and I'm just now learning and having the opportunity to get to you've been able To do that,   15:01 oh, for a very long time, and for anybody who says, Oh, the history that you're mentioning, I'm just acknowledging this history that you're mentioning from a bit ago that how black people came into, it's still not 100% there for basic rights for black people, they don't have access to the education that I got, you know, in this, I grew up in California, in a small town, California, if you don't know, if you buy a shed of your own, it can be worth a million cost a million dollars. It's ridiculous. It's a running joke. California is not it's just a well off area to be living, and which is unfortunate. And from that, we are lacking diversity in our areas, and they are people are not getting getting that access. I also feel like that there's an assumption when people are saying, Oh, now black people are getting in just because they're being black. What if? Let's say this black person, maybe it's just one? Oh, you know, come on, like, you know that Gatson is extremely intelligent and more intelligent than you and has had to put a lot more work in to get into prove themselves just to get in? And you actually don't belong? What if? What about what that? What about that? What about that consideration that there could actually be a lot of people of color, who are more intelligent than a lot of people who've been regularly led into school.   16:30 Everything that you just said? That was awesome. Like,   16:36 I love that we're sitting on this for a bit, because getting people into PT school is like the base, you know, how do we reach them? How do we access them and everything. And if then we have people saying it's because they're black. They're people who are black are already dealing with so much this is from what I've learned not experienced, obviously, like you're already dealing with so much discrimination on a regular basis. So to So to finally get that opportunity to come in and then be discriminated against, you've worked your tail off more than the average white person is just preposterous, and we need to call ourselves out on it, in order to be the change. Sure, I was just gonna read this smile. She's   17:25 emotional mom, because you know, it's like, these are the conversations and these are the things that are said within our circles. But then when you have the ally, say, and you see it, and it's like, oh, it's just so nice to be seen and heard. Oh, and then somebody gets it.   17:42 Oh, my God, I do. I do make mistakes. As I go. I've made I've made plenty. And I will continue to do stupid things. But I keep learning and making the changes as I go. But I so grateful that you're on to talk about this. What have you seen, that you think schools are doing that is working to bring in dei and that in schools versus we're taught we've talked a lot about what's not working? What are the schools doing that is working? And what could we do more of pull it out of your buttons fine. Just like brainstorm like, what are the things?   18:15 I mean, like I did say the video. I'm having professors,   18:22 oh my god, I had a black professor. That was the most amazing thing I had ever had one. I remember   18:29 it was so funny. She came in and I was like, Are you a grad student? And she was like, no, actually, I'm a new professor. I remember Mike, one of my classmates, she walked out. We were like in the computer lab. And she was like, now that I see this woman as my, I know, I can do anything. That's what she said. Yeah, so having more black African American ever, professors. If if there can be some type of outreach, I know with my class, so my class isn't good class because I graduated in the middle of a pandemic. So our plan was like, we had many plans and COVID killed the plans. But one of the conversations that I had with a good friend, classmate of mine, she wasn't black, she was a Puerto Rican. And she was like, Oh, I would love to go out to high schools. Let's get a group together and go do it. And then COVID happen and killed everything and we couldn't go anywhere. But I do think in the future. And I know you know, PT school as hard as it is and stressful, but doing some type of outreach in in PT schools and just saying, Hey, this is what you know, get to make it like   19:47 a career day kind of thing. When people come and visit and say, Hey, this is a career you can I do think yeah, definitely. Especially in neighborhoods where my dad's a dentist, okay. I have a family of dentists do Wish total stereotype halacha just brush your teeth, Jenna. So what's my upbringing? Look, I oh my god,   20:10 I missed you.   20:13 The the, but because I had, I grew up with that with people living these amazing careers, I didn't need somebody to come visit because I was surrounded by their neighbors doing a chiropractor friend, one of my best friends her dad was a chiropractor. This was just commonplace. Just in my world. People don't have that. So, uh, yeah, I can even see more. Having people in the profession, someone like my dad even coming and saying, Hey, this is something you could do is great. I think that's, I think that's a really great idea, just literally coming to the schools coming to them. And people don't like if you sit there and just do a social media post and be like, here come to us. Like, it doesn't work that way. Nobody, including any listener, or Sherelle, or myself, we'd like people to just come to us, as we're living our lives.   21:06 This is something I just thought about. I don't even know if it could actually happen. Ooh. Like, can we have like a work study? or some type of like, even be volunteer like work study. And like a student? A student runs an Instagram and it's specific for that school. And it's specifically for, like, adding teens or, you know, people of color and and making content that's relatable. Yeah. So that it's, you know, a track. It's attractive, so people learn more you know about it. I think social media is just such, it's just a force right now.   21:54 It really is it really,   21:56 I don't know what that really looks like. But, you know, yeah. But in talking about, you know, I don't know it just in a creative way.   22:08 No, I get what you're saying. I just, I just recently had a big screening with a ballet company. And I contact a local school and had PT students come volunteer and take measurements and everything was awesome for them to get to experience that would have killed for something like that as a student, but things like that, that other businesses are doing schools are doing, they can have events of some kind to bring that in that that could be I don't know what but because we're like in the like, no mode. But I love that. I love that. Let's let this lay as like the EU, we just let this kind of drop as a potential idea. I have only a few more minutes left with you. I would love to two more things. What have you personally been doing to help bring more dei into the profession?   23:00 I don't know that I necessarily have because I was so engulfed in school by having this conversation. Literally while you were saying that I was like, Oh, I have some ideas. Like I want to start doing this. But I definitely you know, I speak within my family on my social media. You know, I I talk about, hey, let's be more active, I do a lot around how we can move instead of having to go to the MD The MD is going to tell me to take a pill and then sit you don't have bed rest. But I definitely can do more. I can call myself out about that. You know, when I'm back up, you know, hey, I'm going to be very intentful about a purposeful about doing this. I'm excited actually, unfortunately, I passed my boards. I I kind of had this injury and then I wasn't able to do everything that I wanted. So when I'm back up and I'm full, I'm like, Ah, let's go. Let's add this to the list. I'm happy that you asked me that question, which made me get you know, the juices going and Right,   24:09 right. Uh, yeah, I love it. I love it. I give complete credit to Lisa van who's for that question. She said ask this question. I said okay, okay. Where can people we are now coming down to an end. Where can people find you? Sherelle on social media. They can follow you connect. Where can they find you?   24:29 You can find me on Instagram at Lego fitness. I believe Oh, well. I do search my name on Facebook, which is Sherwin Williams. Those are the two places that I live right now. At my website is you know is what is it like up pt.com If you want to see a little bit more about me there.   24:56 And then if anybody might want to email you some people do prefer the email   25:00 Oh yes, my email is right now is just Sherelle w@icloud.com   25:08 I love it. Wonderful. Thank you so much for coming on. You are a force. I frickin love you.   25:16 Thank you for having me. This is so amazing.   25:20 A big thank you to Jenna and Ciara for a great interview on D AI initiatives in the world of physical therapy and of course a big thanks to Net Health. So again when it comes to boosting your online visibility, reputation and referrals, net Health's Digital Marketing Solutions has the tools you need to beat the competition they know you want your clinic to get found, get chosen and get those five star reviews. They have a fun new offer if you sign up and complete a marketing audit, so they can help your clinic when they'll buy lunch for your office. Head over to net help.com forward slash li T zy to sign up for your complimentary marketing audit today.   25:57 Thank you for listening and please subscribe to the podcast at podcast dot healthy wealthy smart.com And don't forget to follow us on social media  

In this episode physical therapist and podcast cohost, Dr. Jenna Kantor talks about the highs, the lows, and everything in-between from the past year.  We talk about:  The effects of Covid-19 on life and the practice of physical therapy  Online bullying in the physical therapy world  Realizing the importance of friendship  The mental shifts we experienced over the past year  What we are looking forward to in 2022 And much more!    More about Dr. Jenna Kantor:  Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, is a bubbly and energetic woman who was born and raised in Petaluma, California. She trained intensively at Petaluma City Ballet, Houston Ballet, BalletMet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Regional Dance America Choreography Conference, and Regional Dance America. Over time, the injuries added up and she knew she would not have a lasting career in ballet. This lead her to the University of California, Irvine, where she discovered a passion for musical theatre.  Upon graduating, Jenna Kantor worked professionally in musical theatre for 15+ years then found herself ready to move onto a new chapter in her life. Jenna was teaching ballet to kids ages 4 through 17 and group fitness classes to adults. Through teaching, she discovered she had a deep interest in the human body and a desire to help others on a higher level. She was fortunate to get accepted into the DPT program at Columbia. During her education, she co-founded Fairytale Physical Therapy which brings musical theatre shows to children in hospitals, started a podcast titled Physiotherapy Performance Perspectives, was the NYPTA SSIG Advocacy Chair, was part of the NYC Conclave 2017 committee, and co-founded the NYPTA SSIG. In 2017, Jenna was the NYPTA Public Policy Student Liaison, a candidate for the APTASA Communications Chair, won the APTA PPS Business Concept Contest, and made the top 40 List for an Up and Coming Physical Therapy with UpDoc Media. ​Jenna Kantor currently holds the position of the NYPTA Social Media Committee, APTA PPS Key Contact, and NYPTA Legislative Task Force. She provides complimentary, regularly online content that advocates for the physical therapy profession. Jenna runs her own private practice, Jenna Kantor Physical Therapy, PLLC, and an online course for performing artists called Powerful Performer that will launch late 2019. To learn more, follow Jenna at:  Website: https://www.jennakantorpt.com/ Facebook Instagram Twitter Fairytale Physical Therapy   Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: Website:                      https://podcast.healthywealthysmart.com Apple Podcasts:          https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/healthy-wealthy-smart/id532717264 Spotify:                        https://open.spotify.com/show/6ELmKwE4mSZXBB8TiQvp73 SoundCloud:               https://soundcloud.com/healthywealthysmart Stitcher:                       https://www.stitcher.com/show/healthy-wealthy-smart iHeart Radio:                https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-healthy-wealthy-smart-27628927   Read the Full Transcript Here 00:00 Hey. Hey, Jenna, welcome back to the podcast for our annual year and Roundup, if you will. And I want to thank you for being a great addition to the podcast and for pumping out really amazing podcast episodes, you're great hosts, the energy is fantastic. And the podcast episodes are always great. So I want to thank you for that.   00:27 Oh, my God, you're so sweet. I like I was definitely not as much of a podcaster this year, I acknowledge that. But hey, listen, we've all been adjusting this year to pandemic and now pandemics still happening, but also recovery. And I'm just grateful to still be a part of this podcast in any manner to be in this interview right now. Because I really, you and I are very much on the same page regarding remaining evidence based and speaking to people that we respect in this industry, and also people that we want to see just rise and have great success. So I'm just grateful to be honestly, I am humbled to still be in the room here with you.   01:11 Thank you. That's so nice. So kind. Now, let's talk about this past year. So 2021, obviously dominated by the ups and downs of COVID, which is still going on as we speak. We're we're both in the northeast, so we're experiencing an incredibly high surge at the moment. So COVID is obviously a big story. And I think part of the COVID journey that isn't being talked about as much. But I think general public, certainly the mainstream media, are people now living with long COVID. It is just something that seems to be skimmed over. And we know that at least at least the bare minimum is 10% of people diagnosed with COVID will go on to have symptoms of long COVID. And instead of some of the studies that I have read recently, those percentages are much, much higher. So what I guess, what is your take on all of that? And what do you think we as physical therapists can do to keep this in the in the forefront of people's minds.   02:23 We discussed this before, but I think there's going to be bias within this. So I want to acknowledge that we all have our biases. That being said, I think we need to first acknowledge there was a phase where there was a part of the world that did not think COVID was real. So based on the research that is out there, and personal experience of a lot of people getting it, as well as personal friends very close personal friends working in hospitals in New York, specifically COVID is real. So I want to say that first. I'm not going to differ from that I really wish there I'm I think we're past that in the world. I think there was never a clear cut of like, Oh, I got it, I see that it's real. I was wrong. I would have liked that moment, because that hurt people in the process. But I just want to say that first. So COVID is real. Okay. Now, let's not belittle it. And I think in regards to the patient care. I think this, the reality of long COVID needs to be just as respected. Just like when you have a patient that comes in the door and says they're in pain, and you don't believe them. We need to stop that. So we need to believe them and their symptoms, and what they have and what it's from and treat it accordingly. Because if we go in the door to help out these individuals who are struggling with this, they're not going to get better. What are your thoughts?   03:59 No, I agree. I agree. And I've heard from people living with long COVID that people don't believe them even their own family members, people in who work in medicine, they don't believe them. So I think that's a huge takeaway that if as clinicians we can do one thing sit down Listen, believe because the symptoms that they're having are real. We did a couple of episodes on long COVID thing was back in August and spoke with three amazing therapists and they're all involved with long COVID physios so if anyone out there wants more information on living with long COVID I would definitely steer you to long COVID physio on Twitter and and their website as well. Because they're a wealth of knowledge. These are people living with long COVID their allies, they are researchers and I think they're putting out some amazing information that can help not just you as the clinician, but if you know someone that maybe you're not doing directly treating maybe it's a family member living with long COVID I think the more information you have, the more power you can kind of take back to yourself.   05:10 I love that. I love that. It's the biopsychosocial model. I mean to that I from working because I work specifically more with performers, the psychosocial component, my my patients, my people I call my people, my people would not be getting the results they're getting if I didn't have to deal with that, with them standing by their side, holding their hands helping them through and out of their pain. There's symptoms every day and this that goes for anything.   05:41 Yeah. And and we now know, speaking of performers that a lot of Broadway shows are being sort of cancelled, and then restarted and canceled and restarted because of COVID outbreaks within the cast. So this may be something people might think, Oh, I work with performers. I don't have to worry about long COVID Well, maybe you do.   06:01 Yeah. Yeah. And for them, it's the, from the performance that I'm in contact with on Broadway that, you know, it's I'm, I'm, I'm very connected. I've been in the musical theater industry for a very long time. So for the people who are on Broadway, the individuals I spoken to, they're doing okay, which I'm really, really grateful for. It is a requirement for the performers to be triple vaccinated, and now they're getting triple vaccinated. I know one performer on Broadway, who was about to get her booster shot, and then ended up getting COVID, which was quite unfortunate. She's doing okay, though. Grateful, no signs of long COVID Right now, but for the performers, you're talking about dance, there's endurance and breathing that is necessary. If the singers even if they're, they're not dancing, they still dance, they're still asked to do things, they still have out of breath, emotional moments, were breathing is challenged. So I'm just bringing up one component with long COVID. But that's, that's a big standout for performers specifically, that need, it needs to be kept out for them. I remember one time during, oh, goodness, during 2020. And it was the latter portion of the year. And I was doing virtual readings with performers. That's how I was staying connected with my my friends and people in the industry. And it was our way of being creative. In the meantime, while we're waiting for things to open back up. And one individual is she what I just cast her to read as the lead in the show, and she was so good. It was my first time hearing her perform first time meeting her. She was Outstanding, outstanding. And at the end of it, we were going around checking in with each other how we were doing and she started to cry and opened up about losses and her family due to COVID. And that she didn't think she would be able to sing like that again, because she had been dealing with her breathing problems for so long. And so then we all get emotional with her. I'm getting emotional just thinking about it. So yeah, it's it's a it's a real thing. We didn't have the vaccination then. So I'm interested to see statistically where we are at with long COVID with having the antibodies in our systems. Obviously, everybody is different, but I'm hoping that there's less of it because of the vaccine.   08:25 Yeah, time will tell right? Yeah, we have we need those data points. So aside from obviously COVID being, I think the biggest story of the year, certainly within healthcare and even within our field of physical therapy. What else have you seen over 2021? Or maybe it was in an interview you did or a paper you read that really stuck out for you as as a big part of the year you know, it made it's made it it made its mark for you.   08:58 Oh, I'm going to focus just on the PT community. And I want to emphasize with community I see our community at really, we've always butted heads there's always things that we butted heads on. But I'll just give the instance that really made me go whoa, I was in a room with a bunch of intelligent wonderful human beings and discussing something I said a term that I thought was really common especially because in the musical theatre industry. We are fighting for dei diversity, equity inclusion all the time. Like if this is a topic of conversation all the time. It is a huge thing in regards to casting what is visually out there the most at like the highest level and, and bipoc the phrase bipoc was unrecognized by a good portion of physical therapists in this room and I was disappointed Did I was it said so much it doesn't. It's not saying that a person is evil for not knowing no. And that is not my point. But it is a problem that it's not being discussed to the level where these common extremely common thing phrases are not just known. That just says a lot to me, because it's in regards to people getting in the door access and being reached, in lesser, lesser affluent areas, that to me, it shows that it's not being discussed, it's not being addressed. If it was, then bipoc would be, and this is just one instance. But I thought that was very eye opening. Because it's just like saying, I'm going to eat today, someone saying, I'm not going what you're not eating, I don't know. And that was a bad example. But just something that is or you wake up you breathe, that is how known the phrase bipoc. Same thing with LGBTQIA. Plus, in my community, like, for me to go into another room and for things to need to be defined. I know we all have different worlds. But I think as physical therapists, there, there's a disconnect, unfortunately, depending on wherever we are from, and we need to fix that. Because I can't live everywhere. I can't treat everyone in the world, I can't treat all the performers in the world, I don't want to I like having my niche practice and treating select individuals, and boom, my people do very well. And if it gets to a point that it starts to grow, I'm going to be passing them along because I don't want I don't want that I don't want it to be huge like that. And with that in mind, I need more people who know and therefore are our allies. To me, it's a lack of ally ship, of just not knowing the basic language. And I and I apologize to anyone who's listening on my intention is not to sound like a white savior at all. It's not. But with my limited knowledge at this point, I'm already seeing something that is really, really lacking amongst each other and we need to fix it. I don't know if it's books or I don't know, I don't I don't know the answer to that. But I'm just addressing that was that was the biggest standout thing for me this year.   12:27 And it for those of you who maybe are not familiar with the American Physical Therapy Association, they have what's called House of Delegates. So they had a meeting in September of this year during the APTA centennial celebration. And in that they did pass a resolution that the APTA would be an anti racist organization. Now, were you in the room when that passed? Jenna?   12:54 No, I was not in the room, I was actually there at the House of Delegates a bit discouraged this year, I know. i The fact that they were able to figure out any manner to put it on is is a feat to be had after 2020 20. However, the in person when you go and if you are not a delegate, which I was not this year, you can usually sit in the room, and just be in the back and listen, because the because of the space that they got in the way it was set up, there were chairs in the back of the room, but there weren't that many and it filled up. So they already preemptively set up another room where you could watch what was happening on a TV, which did not sit well with me. Because I could have stayed home instead of flying in for that. So I was definitely not in the room. I definitely was less present this year. Because of that I was I was bitter, I was bitter. I was bitter. I felt like I I already know you it's through elected and know who you know, to become a delegate, but I really felt disrespected and unimportant. Being in a separate room, watching from a TV rather than actually getting to be in the room because there are ways that they hold the meeting where you can stand up to say a point of order to speak on some points from the from the back of the room. And I just wasn't even going to wait to see how they figured that out. I just felt like not a not an important voice. So I wasn't present for that. But I do know about that. I think it's wonderful to get that on the docket. But the same thing when we voted in dei unanimously. How?   14:41 What comes next? You mean? Yeah, well, yeah.   14:45 What is the game plan? Because for me, I can say a sentence like that. But then what are the actual actions and that's where it's like, is that going to happen? Two years down the road three years. What are we at what are we actually doing? What are the measuring points and take action? and not meetings on it, not being hesitant on making mistakes. Let's make mistakes. Let's just go for it. That's the only way we're gonna learn. There's no such thing as a graceful change, no matter how hard you try,   15:11 right? Yeah, yeah, I agree. I think like you said, what comes next is? Well, I guess we'll have to wait and see what are the action steps they're going to take in order to create that and, and live up to the, the words of being an anti racist organization? Because it was passed overwhelmingly.   15:32 Right? And then I'm sure they applauded for it, you know, like, this is great. But to me, I think it's, I it's just like, okay, you know, like, what, but now what? Because from DJI and the I heard that they're trying in the battle in this behind the scenes, trying to move forward, but I have not seen action there. And maybe I'm missing something, you know, feel free to call me out Call me whatever. Like, I'm, I would love to be wrong.   16:07 Yeah, these big organizations are slow ships to steer. That's not any excuse whatsoever. But I understand there's a lot of layers that one has to go through to make things happen. As you know, you've been volunteering for the APTA for a long time. So you understand that, but I think a lot of people who don't don't, so that's why I just wanted to kind of bring that up and saying, like, yeah, it takes it takes a long effing time to get stuff done, you know?   16:33 Yeah. And I mean, you can hear it, I'm frustrated by I'm not, I'm not happy about it. And but it's, it's because of my friends, the conversations I have, and I, I'm, I'm lucky, I'm a sis white, stereotypical female. So like, the way the world has been made, and the way it caters to humans. It fits me, but it doesn't fit everyone and I'd like I can't imagine what it would be like to just be left out of a lot of things in everyday life. I think that's horrible.   17:05 Yeah, agreed. What else? What else do you think was a big something that you saw within the profession? Or even trends in health and fitness that might have really changed over this past year? For better or for worse? I can think of one I think and this is just my opinion that the the communication via social media has gotten a little too aggressive. Is that a nice way of saying it? Like I don't understand it, I don't get it. I took like a little break because I was Oh, can't say I was bullied because I feel like bullying. It's that sort of like you know someone is having like a sustained go at you. So I don't know   18:01 it's bullying is bullying. Yeah, bullying is bullying. That's the thing is that we have a lot of bullying that happens but then they gaslight you about their bullying. It's like Whoa, it's next. It's almost like a strategy. Like they're playing a game of Monopoly, and they have down how to win. Like, yeah, people barely there is a lot of bullying.   18:20 Yeah, a lot of bullying. A lot of threatening, like, I get like threatening DMS or people threatening me, you know, on their Instagram stories or whatever. For I can't imagine I look back at that interactions. And I'm like, I don't get it.   18:38 Yeah, I don't get it. Yeah.   18:41 So I and my first reaction was to like, when people will do this and be so aggressive as to send like a Taylor Swift GIF. Of her song, you need to calm down. And then I have to take a step back and be like, that's not gonna help the situation any. Right, right. Right. Don't do it. I just sort of back off. But I think because of that, bullying or threatening behavior, I've   19:05 really like I'll say it bullying continue. I've,   19:09 I've just like, for the past couple of months, I've really taken a backseat to any kind of social media just to like, give myself like a mental health break, you know, like meeting I don't comment on things. I might post some things here and there, but I don't really make any comments, unless it's to. And that's mainly and I'm going to say this because from what I can tell it's true, is it happens to be men in the profession who are a little more aggressive than the women, like women can seem to have a bit of a nicer conversation around whether it's a question or, you know, something, but when a lot of the men it's just become so like ego driven, that there's no resolution, and it's just mean. Mm hmm. And so I was like I need to take a break. So I saw a lot more of that this year. I don't know if it's because of lockdowns and because of a heightened sense of what's the word? Stress to begin with? And then yeah, or something else on top of it? I don't know. But I, I saw that this year, definitely for the worse, because I just think, gosh, if people outside the profession are looking in and watching these exchanges, what are they thinking?   20:28 Yeah, yeah, I've definitely seen it in sis males specifically.   20:33 Yeah, yeah.   20:34 I'm not it honestly. doesn't it's not a specific color of skin. But specifically sis males.   20:43 Yeah, I would I would agree with that. Yeah.   20:46 I have. I have experienced a little not not to the level, but I've definitely experienced that. And it's for 2021. And it's not okay. No, it's not okay. However, I ever look at it as a blessing. And this is where I get I love looking at it like this. Yes, please, please, thank you. Thank you for identifying that you have no space in my room, my shelf my space at all. I will not take advice from you in the future. And I will not heed any, any value to what you have to say, because of your willingness to chop me down. Thank you for identifying yourself. I'm now in the debate of blocking you from my mental health. And that's it. And that includes in person. That's it. That's it. And I really don't look as blocking as like, wow, for me, I'm going like, No, I don't want to know you. I don't want to know you. And my life is so much better because of it when I was at the PPS conference, because of just going No to the to the people I don't want to know and just saying like, just straight up like I like I don't need you, I don't need you. I want to be a service to people who need physical therapy period. So people are going to just, you know, find ways of you know, and spend their time writing some angry thing. Have that that's on them that's on them. Like I'm like, like, and if it and honestly I will likely block you.   22:18 I love that I love like you're you're it's not just that you're blocking the person. You're blocking the energy blocking the energy they're bringing into you and draining you down. So then you're not at your best well, or with your friends or loved ones patients, even with yourself. Yeah, you know, if you have to ruminate on these people. I love that. Yeah, it's not it's not just blocking you from social media, it's blocking the energy that you the the bad vibes, if you will, that you're Brown. And that affects you that affects your mental health that affects you emotionally. And it can carry through to a lot of other parts of your life and who needs that? Yeah,   22:59 and, and for anybody who's trying to saying like, I can a bully did it or like it. Okay, let's, let's look at it this way, when you're messaging an individual something, first of all, we all know this. When you write in text, everybody's going to interpret it with different tone. So as soon as you write in text, we all know this, and we're taking advantage of that fact. So that way, you can later go, oh, I said it in a nice tone, Bs when you're typing it, it can be in whatever freakin tone and you know what you're doing. Also, when you're not talking to a person, the only time you show up is to say something negative. Yeah, that's you're not your voice is not important. And you know, your voice isn't important.   23:39 It's so true. What I've actually seen is a lot of these, these kinds of people, they're not getting the attention they used to get. Mm hmm. Do you know cuz I think more people are of the mindset of like, I don't need this anymore. Like this was maybe this was funny. Maybe this was cute a couple years ago. Ah, not anymore.   24:01 And also I love I don't like having down moments, but we all have our down moments in our career and in our life. But I what I do love about the down moments in the career in life, the people who are around at that time, those are your friends, those are the people you want to know. So I love my moments in the PT world. When I'm in a down moment because the people who want to talk to me then those are the people I want to know. Whereas when I'm you know, can candidate for the private practice section, you know, which is awesome. And then people want to actually talk to me then. Oh, wait, I'm gonna wait and see when you know, I'm not that. Am I still someone you want to speak to? That is those are the people I want to invest time in. Those are the people I want to invest time in. I want to see you you do well and vice versa. I want to be able to get to know you as a human more and more and more. I just want the children Relationships, it doesn't mean I'm going to have time or you know, we're gonna have time to talk every day. But I want those true relationships. So for me, those downtimes, when I might not look the most graceful, I might be messing up or maybe not messing up. Maybe I'm actually making a change here speaking on something or getting people to think differently ever thought of that, you know? Awesome. Like, are you gonna be here to chop me down? Or just be here to have a conversation and having a conversation? Set up a phone call? If you really care? Like if you really could you don't? People don't care that Oh, reaching out, they don't care about you cannot be when they're reaching out to give feedback. Let's have a comfort. No, they just want to get into an attack mode. No, we No, no, don't try to decorate it. We know that's what's happening. And yeah, that were to town. There's enough going on.   25:52 Yeah, there's enough going on. And you know, this conversation really made me reflect on the past year, and I think what's been a good thing has been the deepening of good relationships. So like, nobody has time for that other, like bad stuff anymore. Like there's enough bad stuff happening. I don't have time for that. But what you do have time for is the relationships that are two sided, you know, a nice bilateral relationship that you're willing to invest in, and allow that relationship to come deeper and grow. And I feel like, you know, and like, you don't have to be friends with 1000 people, you know, you can be friends with a handful you can be friends with one person. And if that person, it's it's real and deep and meaningful, then isn't that wonderful? And I think years ago, I used to think, oh, the more   26:46 people you know, the better. Me too. Me too.   26:49 And now I think because of the upheaval of the last couple of years now, I'm really finding like, you know, I need like couple of good people that I can count on to have my back to, like you said, lift you up when you need to, and maybe to like, give you the honest truth when you need it as well. Right? Exactly. So I've been really, really happy that over the past year, I've made some really nice deeper connections with people than the physical therapy World Sports Medicine world. And I'm really, really happy about that. So I think that's been a real positive for me,   27:26 I totally agree with you, I mean, that our relationship is naturally growing over time, which I appreciate and, and I really do I completely on the same page completely on the same page. And and for me, when I go to conferences, like I'm really isolating more and more, who are the two are the people that like I must spend time with? And and then if other people want to join sure, you know, absolutely. But I I'm not overwhelming myself, oh, I need to be friends with that. No, I don't need to. And you know what, like, that became very apparent when I seen people speak, even at PPS, where the goodness, they were showing slideshows with their friends, and it was like, literally all people who are elected in the higher positions are all best friends with each other. It is it's true, you can't deny it. If you're up there. If you're one of those people. It's true. And you know what, I look at it like this, my friends may go up there to that, mate. That's not why I'm friends with you, though, you know, in friendship through because I like you as a person. So I'm gonna let that lay and not even explain and go into more depth and let people interpret that how they want and the right people will stay in   28:44 my life. Exactly. So what are they? What are they? Let's, let's sort of wrap this up on a positive note. What are their positive things came to you this year, whether it be professionally, personally,   28:59 oh, I think being more comfortable in my skin at conferences. So I had the I mean, absolute honor. Like I was really overwhelmed with happiness at the private practice conference this year. It was just so cool to be nominated. And I felt so much more comfortable in my own skin going up there. I you know, there there are a couple naysayers not realizing there'll be naysayers that, you know that I had to deal with but going up and it was a small moment. But we had you have this rehearsal. I don't know if it's done the same way. For the nominees where they go, you practice when your name is called going behind the podium and then walking down the stairs so you know what to do when you're asked to go out there and give your speech. And I went out there and I did a great vine to my spot. And I mean, I was so happy I did that because I was feeling it and that's what I would do. I did a great fine. And I know that silly, nobody else paid attention to me honestly probably knew that I was doing it. And some were probably like, Oh, but I didn't care. I was like I am on this freakin stage right now, this is the coolest thing. And to be at that place of like more self acceptance, because I know I don't have the stereotypical personality and energy, you know, that that is normally accepted amongst the vast community. So to be more me in that moment, I felt very proud. I felt very proud of myself. And that was really cool. I'm really, really happy about that. And then I like Dan, you know, sat down and ate some more bacon, it was great.   30:46 Well, and you know, being comfortable in your own skin that then comes across to the people who are in front of you. So when the speech actually came about, I'm sure people picked up on that picked up on the fact that you're now more comfortable in your skin that you're more comfortable, perhaps as a physical therapist, and because you found you're not that you've, you've already had this niche, but you sort of found your niche. You know, what, you what you're in the physical therapy world to do. Does that make sense? Yeah, yeah. Yeah.   31:19 Absolutely. Absolutely. And I got a little bit picked on for being too perfect with my speech and everything. And I was like, I you know, in reflection on that, I was like, they just haven't fully accepted my energy. That's okay. Don't get there. Okay. That's it. Don't get there. I'm like, I'm a performer. So it's gonna happen. You know, do you want to join a British company dialect? That's,   31:47 that's a weird comment. That's a weird criticism. Yeah, but yeah, you know,   31:53 but I felt I felt I felt like I had to reflect to go No, I actually felt really good, because I've definitely put it on before. No, I practiced it to be to deliver it. Me as me. And now it's so fun. So fun. Oh, my God. Yeah, I was just that that was a big, positive. Awesome, awesome feeling. I work with so many people who are in the PT industry, who want to be dance physical therapist or physical therapist assistants and imposter syndrome is super real. And so I like that I'm practicing what I preach and self love. And and it's awesome. How are you doing all that this year?   32:36 I'm better. I mean, imposter syndrome, I think, for me is always there, like always kind of underlying the surface, if you will. But I think that's pretty normal. You know, the more and more I listen, or I read about, like, these famous people who are up on stages and in movies, and you know, people who think oh, they have no, they must be like, amazing. And no, they it's the same thing. So I think for me, accepting that it's normal has actually helped decrease it a little bit. Instead of feeling like, oh, boy, everyone else here is like, amazing. And I'm like the loser trying to keep up. And then I think, no, that's pretty normal, because I think everyone else feels that way as well. Yes. And then once once I was able to accept that it makes going up on stage, like, I don't get as nervous as I used to, and it's been. It's been much, much better for me even speaking. Like I was joking, I could say I now I shared the stage with FLOTUS, because at the future physical therapy summit, I spoke for literally a minute and 45 seconds as a spokesperson for the brand Waterpik. So Waterpik has these wonderful showerheads. And they sponsored the future physical therapy Summit in Washington, DC back in September. And so the sponsors got to go up and say a little something. So you have literally less than two minutes, and I had to get all their talking points in. But I also like, decided to make it funny. So I was just saying things off the cuff. And afterwards, everyone's like, that was a great bit. I love that bit about your parents. I'm like, I didn't think of it as a bit. But okay. But then the good news was afterwards, people came up to the table, the Waterpik table, you know, in the, in the hall area, and like the one guy was like, I wasn't gonna come up, but then after that talk, I had to come up and see what you guys are all about. I needed to find out what you were doing and hey, can you do this? And so, for me, I felt as nervous as I was to go up and speak be mainly because it wasn't about me, it was about Waterpik. So I wanted to do them proud, you know, and afterwards, they got so much great feedback and possible partnerships selling through clinics with 700 locations? And can we do a study with Waterpik? On wound care? Can we do a study with Waterpik on people living with CRPS and using these, like, and that's exactly what they were looking for. So that made me feel like much better and gave me a little bit more confidence. And it was also fun to be able to do such things kind of off the cuff. You know,   35:25 that's so cool. Yeah, I love that. You should definitely be proud. That's so cool.   35:29 So that was really fun. And then the next speaker, it was it. The next speaker a two speakers after me was the First Lady of the United States Dr. Joe Biden. So yeah, there you go. No big deal. No big deal. Yeah. FLOTUS. So that was really fun. And was that yeah, for me, I think that was a big highlight of of the year for me, I guess professionally, which was really cool. is cool. That is so cool. It was it was cool. Anything else that for you? Did we miss anything that you wanted to get in?   36:02 Yes. For the Yes, yes. Yes. Okay. I now live in Pittsburgh and and was visiting New York had a great time. I got to see Karen at one of my favorite salad places, although I didn't get my normal favorite salad, which now I'm in regret until I go back again, to get my favorite salad from Sweet greens. It's the kale salad. It's so good. Caesar kale salad. I highly recommend it if you're going and you want to save some money because I love to be cheap in New York. Okay. said that. Now I'm not sponsored by sweet green. I just love sweet green. Okay,   36:31 I know we're dropping. We're dropping a lot of like,   36:33 I know. Like suede. And also get Levine's cookies. Okay, yeah. When you go, I never have gone to the tourist areas. I avoid it. But I spent a lot of time in Times Square because I was going to see Broadway shows. And it's also one of the few Disney Stores that still is open. So I had to go in there. I got a wreath I didn't need but I needed you know, and Okay. Rockefeller Center. So I go there to meet Stephanie. Why rock as you and I didn't have enough time with your Stephanie. But while we were waiting, there's a whole show of lights. A GG know that you knew this that like it's with music and everything like Disney. I had no idea. What's the store that darkness said yes Avenue, Saks Fifth Avenue. And it's like castle and lighting. It was I was just joking. If you don't know, I love Disney. I love Disney so much. And this was a Disney experience. And I just we weren't waiting in the cold. I'm like, all bitter. You know, I just I'm not happy in the cold. So I'm like, and then the light show on Japan?   37:45 Yeah, it's spectacular. It was   37:47 so great. I had no idea and it goes up like every few minutes. It's quite regular. So if you like oh, we miss it. You're fine. Just wait a few minutes. It'll start again. i Oh, go see it. Go see it. Don't stand in Time Square for New Year's. But go see that that was such a wonderful, positive, beautiful moment. And, and just great. It was great. Also, there are a lot of great photographers in New York. So if you're visiting New York, and you want to get stuff for social media, that is the spot to get it. There are so many talented photographers you can get reasonable prices and and build your social media real fast. All right, that's it.   38:26 Perfect. Well, before we wrap up the year, where can people find you if they want more information about you in any of your programs? And also let us know what you have coming up in 2022?   38:38 Okay, well, most immediately, you're going to find me at Disney Land in February this year in 2022. Because I'm going to be there my birthday. If you go there on the 16th of February. Just let me know. And we'll like meet up with you. But no, I'm going to be eating junk food all day. So if you're expecting me to be held a healthy influence, I will not be alright. For me, I'm going to be continuing with my private practice, working with performers and continuing with helping people live their lives as dance PTS helping you on the business and treatment side with my dance PT program. But most importantly, because I'm always like I'm a performer and physical therapist. I'm doing all this work right now. I am getting back into performing which I'm really happy about so I'll be submitting a lot more which I'm just super stoked. I feel like all my work stuff is is being is much more easier to handle now I've got it down. And the systems are in place if you will get to audition more than I'll be a movie star just like that because it's so easy. It'll be great, but I'm really excited about that. What about you Karen?   39:55 Oh, that's exciting. Gosh, I'm not gonna be a movie star. Anything So what do I have coming up? Let's see, um, this past year I finished the Goldman Sachs 10,000 small business program, highly recommend anyone to apply to because it's really amazing. How many more plugs can we drop in this episode? And so I'm going to this year, I'm looking to hire another PT for my practice, right? Mm hmm. Which is very fun. Exactly, it grows, but   40:31 you're like, I'm not going to take all the patients. It's gross,   40:34 but time to bring on someone else. Right. And then continuing to work with just a couple of people. With business coaching, I like take four people at a time for me that I get it handle, it's good enough for me, I'm happy to do it. So that will open back up again. Maybe end of January of 2022. Because like you said, when you know what you can handle and you know that you can help the people who want to be helped, then it becomes so much easier. So now I feel like I've got this under control. I know how to split up my time and manage my time. And so I'm really looking forward to that in 2022 and we'll see what happens.   41:24 I love that. That's awesome. Yeah. Yeah, are so cool. I love what you do.   41:30 Where can people find you? Oh,   41:33 yeah, so I have the dance physical therapists Facebook group. So that's one specifically for PT so you will find me in their active conversations once talking about performing arts research all that stuff. You can find me at CSM Oh yeah, social media, dance physical therapists on Instagram. I am also musical theater doc on there. But I really associate people more regarding musical theater, not other pts. So dance physical therapist, is that and then on Facebook, Jenna cantor. And yeah, pretty much Jenna Cantor from Twitter and Jenna cantor. Yeah, your website. Jenna cancer, PT, calm.   42:18 Perfect. Perfect. Excellent. Well, Jenna, thank you so much for coming on and wrapping up 2022. And for all of your help and friendship throughout the year. I really appreciate it. And appreciate so   42:31 much. I have to just say that joke that keeps coming to my head every time you keep saying wrapping up. I feel like I should be wrapping a present. I just it's a stupid joke. But I just need to put that in there. Thank you. I said it.   42:43 Tis the season when in Rome, right? Yes. All right. Well, thank you again, so much. And everyone. Thank you so much. On behalf of myself and Jenna, for listening to the podcast all year and for supporting it. And you know if anyone has any suggestions on anyone they'd like either one of us to interview please let us know. You can find us on social media. I'm on Twitter at Karen Litzy. NYC and Instagram at Karen Litzy. You can email me Karen at Karen Litzy. Calm it couldn't be any easier. Or you can find me at Karen Litzy calm. We're super easy over here. So let us let us know if there's any topics or people that you're like man, I really want to hear from this person. We'll be more than happy to see if we can get it done. So thanks again. Everyone have a very, very happy new year and a healthy 2022 And of course stay healthy, wealthy and smart.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jenna Kantor, PT, and talk about her passion project, Fairytale Physical Therapy. Throughout the episode, Jenna gives great advice on how and why she started Fairytale Physical Therapy, why it is important to pursue your passions, and how to do it all while being unapologetically yourself. Jenna is full of energy, and was a blast to chat with. For more information about Fairytale Physical Therapy, or to get in contact with Jenna, visit their website here www.fairytaleppt.com or e-mail her at fairytale@fairytalephysicaltherapy.com Host: Natalie Miller Music by Scott Miller

On this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy and Smart Podcast, I welcome Drs. Julie Sias and Jenna Kantor to the show for our annual end of the year review. I also wanted to welcome Dr. Alexis Lancaster in spirit. All three of these incredible women are the team that makes this podcast happen every week and I am eternally grateful for all of their hard work, support and love throughout the year.  In this episode, we discuss: The ups and downs of 2020 for each of us How to deal with fraudulent Google reviews  Being a brand new mom and a private practice PT owner  What we are hoping for in 2021 And so much more!  Resources:  Jenna Kantor Physical Therapy  Newport Coast Physical Therapy Renegade Movement and Performance  Karen Litzy Physical Therapy A big thank you to Net Health for sponsoring this episode! Learn more about the Redoc Patient Portal here.  More about Julie, Jenna and Lex I received my Doctor of Physical Therapy and Bachelor of Science in Biology degrees from Chapman University. I became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association to better serve my wellness clients. I am also a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and Private Practice Section. In addition to working with my physical therapy and wellness clients, I provide consultation services for children and adults with neurological conditions. In my free time, I produce the podcast Healthy, Wealthy and Smart which features leaders in physical therapy, wellness and entrepreneurship. Fun Fact: I love the sun! I am thankful there are 277 days of sunshine a year in Newport Beach! From hiking Crystal Cove, sailing in the ocean, scuba diving the seas and kayaking through the back bay — there is so much to take advantage of! As your Doctor of Physical Therapy, my goal is to help you maintain your active lifestyle because working with you inspires me daily to get out of my comfort zone and try new things here in Newport Beach. Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, is a bubbly and energetic woman who was born and raised in Petaluma, California. She trained intensively at Petaluma City Ballet, Houston Ballet, BalletMet, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Regional Dance America Choreography Conference, and Regional Dance America. Over time, the injuries added up and she knew she would not have a lasting career in ballet. This lead her to the University of California, Irvine, where she discovered a passion for musical theatre.  Upon graduating, Jenna Kantor worked professionally in musical theatre for 15+ years then found herself ready to move onto a new chapter in her life. Jenna was teaching ballet to kids ages 4 through 17 and group fitness classes to adults. Through teaching, she discovered she had a deep interest in the human body and a desire to help others on a higher level. She was fortunate to get accepted into the DPT program at Columbia. During her education, she co-founded Fairytale Physical Therapy which brings musical theatre shows to children in hospitals, started a podcast titled Physiotherapy Performance Perspectives, was the NYPTA SSIG Advocacy Chair, was part of the NYC Conclave 2017 committee, and co-founded the NYPTA SSIG. In 2017, Jenna was the NYPTA Public Policy Student Liaison, a candidate for the APTASA Communications Chair, won the APTA PPS Business Concept Contest, and made the top 40 List for an Up and Coming Physical Therapy with UpDoc Media. Lex is originally from the Finger Lakes Region of New York. She graduated from Utica College with her Bachelor’s in Biology and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. She also earned a graduate certificate in Healthcare Advocacy and Navigation. She is very passionate about empowering the people she works with and is driven by their success. Lex has worked with people of all ages and her passion lies within the treatment of performance athletes and pregnant and postpartum women. For Lex, the most important part of physical therapy care is ensuring that every person who sees her is given one-on-one attention, a personalized treatment program, and a plethora of resources to ensure ongoing results. Outside of Renegade Movement and Performance, Lex practices in pediatrics, owns and operates her website design company, and is an Adjunct Professor at Utica College. She enjoys hiking and dogs of all kinds. Read the Full Transcript below: Speaker 1 (00:01): Hello, welcome back to the podcast, everyone today, we're having an end of the year wrap up. We've done this every year, almost every year since the start of the podcast. And I'm joined by Dr. Jenna Kanter, Dr. Julie CEUs, and perhaps Dr. Lex Lancaster. She is currently driving through parts unknown in Vermont, so she can hop in. She can, if not, maybe we'll get her in at at at another time. But I just want to highlight the people who make this podcast happen because it is certainly not my, myself and myself alone. It's just impossible. So Jenna has been doing interviews for a couple of years now, and Julie has kind of been on board since the beginning almost I would say close to the beginning. Right. Speaker 2 (00:54): I think it's been five years. Yeah, Speaker 1 (00:56): Yeah, yeah. So she's been a part of the podcast behind the scenes doing the show notes beautifully. And then Lex Lancaster has been on board for the past year doing, helping with graphics. So I just it's for me, this is a big thank you to, to you ladies for being so wonderful and generous with your time and your gifts. So thank you so much. And let's start. So what I wanted to kind of start with is kind of talking about our highs and lows of 2020. So if you're listening, I mean, we, we all know that 2020 has been an exceptionally difficult year for almost everyone started out okay. For most people and then really started to go downhill pretty quick. So let's talk about, and then hot, like even through this, I think it's also important to note that good things have happened as well. So Jenna, why don't we start with you? Why don't you let the listeners know kind of, what's been your high and what's kind of been your low of 2020. Speaker 2 (02:08): Hi mom. I just want to first give a shout out to my mom, like I'm on a TV show. So I just want to say hi mom, I love you so much. Thank you for giving birth to me that one beautiful morning or afternoon. I'm not sure. Ooh, 20, 20, well, the low, I would say where, Oh, I want to talk about this because I know there are other practice owners who have dealt with it and I was a I was bullied and harassed online. And and, and this was for a group in which I do musical theater readings. It's a great group. I it's, that I've run into where I get a lot of patients, but the majority of people I know on there, I just know through musical theater and just performing, doing readings. And there were people who did not like how I ran the group. Speaker 2 (02:59): It's just like any place. There are people who don't like what you do. So they go off and do their own thing. And I eventually made a decision to block them out of my life because I didn't want this small section of people to still be present and judging me. I mean, I don't know about you. I like to feel the love in the room, not the hate. So I did that as a gift for myself finally, which did was very good. I was dealing with a lot of anxiety, just even knowing that they were around. Unfortunately, I wasn't strong enough to just handle it. I wish I could say it was, but I was like, Nope, I'm really unhappy right now what their presence. And they decided to go after my business and write false Google reviews. I was fine with the public social media posts on Facebook and everything. Speaker 2 (03:42): You know, didn't saying mine, you know, denouncing me. I was fine with that. I knew they were going to do that. That's why I kept them in my life for so long because I was so fearful of the public humiliation they would be aiming for. But then I was very okay with it. By the time I did it, you know, you come to that piece. But to me, the lowest part was having instilled, dealing with it, dealing with these false Google reviews where they've never been paid patients ever, ever. So I think that was, was a big, low yeah. And, and knowing that we're all going through it. And it's a hard year for so many of us. I felt like I had less people I could talk to about it because everyone's dealing with so much crap right now. So I would say that was like a very, very low point for me. And I know people have had so much worse. So I do want to acknowledge that this is so minuscule. I'm lucky my family is healthy. My, my friends have been healthy during this very, very lucky, but that was my own little piece of hew, toothpicks as positives go. Speaker 1 (04:54): I'm trying not to swear. I'm doing a good job Speaker 2 (04:59): This America way to network as, and do positive right back to back. Speaker 1 (05:04): Yeah, sure. Go ahead. Oh, right. Yeah. Speaker 2 (05:07): Cause it is I would say is, I'm not going to talk. I'm going to focus on business since I was already talking about business. So I'll keep it on that. Was the different branch. My practice took every business in physical therapy has been dealt with some sort of crap if they haven't, I'm so happy for you. But a lot of us have really dealt with some sort of big shift and, and stress and strain and sleepless nights, especially at the beginning of this and some States it's pretty new. It's new for the practices. For me during the shift, I was focusing on expanding more in-person and then of course I started doing more tele-health and now I'm a hundred percent tele-health yes. I refer out if they're not appropriate for tele-health yes. I'm a hundred percent. I don't see myself going because one, I love it. Speaker 2 (06:00): And that's the first thing to the performers I work with. Most of them can't afford that in person. Most of them can't, most of them don't have health insurance. And then the last thing with my practice I've developed these wellness programs. Yes. They're injury prevention, but honestly, no performers are Googling injury prevention. They're like my ankle hurts. I can't do boots. What's up. So, but with these wellness programs, it's not physical therapy. It's the many humans out there in the singing, acting, dancing world where they get the help they need from a PT. And then they're discharged when they're, you know, quote healthy, but their body's still not functioning to where they ultimately want it to be. That's where I'm coming in. And it's great. It's this, these group programs it's really supportive. I definitely have my own jokes in there. I'm a hundred percent myself. Speaker 2 (06:55): If anybody knows me, you're like, got it. And it's, and it's just a joy. The bonding, the, the growth everyone gets physically to get to where they are is just, it's, it's been the such a rewarding discovery and, and a lot of work to make it happen, but well worth it because just I'm happy, man. Like when you really get to do what you really want to do without even knowing that's what you really wanted to do all along until you actually get to do it. That's what I'm living right now. So yeah, I'm pretty happy about that. So that's my positive and I'll take it to the bank. Speaker 1 (07:31): Great. Now let's, let's take a step back to not to harp on the negative, but because I think this might help other people listening. What did you do when you were like, Oh my gosh, I'm getting these Google reviews for my business. I've never seen them. What did you do to mitigate that situation or if it's even possible Speaker 2 (07:55): Crying and vomiting? Let's see. What was the next? So I, I vomit when I get really stressed out. That's a new discovery in 2020. I don't recommend it. It doesn't make you slimmer just saying. So I do not promote that. Okay. [inaudible] so I already have a lawyer, but I even, I contacted Erin Jackson who is a great human my lawyer Stephanie wrote in, but I just, you know, who do I contact first? Because I knew this was now in some sort of it's the physical therapy where we have HIPAA. We have so many things legally we need to be careful about. And as much as I say, swear words, and I joke like there's liability for these things. Like, but this was just how do I handle this? Because Google reviews specifically, which I was fearful, I pre reported these people before it happened, because there was no way to block them on Google. Speaker 2 (08:52): Not because they were going to, I was going a little bit in the Cuckoo's nest. Like, how do I keep preventing? Cause they're doing all this stuff fine on social media, but just in case let's pre protect, there was no way to, well, getting Google reviews is difficult. So here's some things that you can do by hand that are suggested they, you can have friends report it. And if you have friends report it, make sure you have a written out exactly where they need to click step by step, what they need to do. And, and boom bought a bang. Another thing that I did is I contacted the patients. I felt comfortable contacting, cause that is a thing I'm saying, this is going on. I've never gotten a review from you. Would you please write a review so I can get some actual from actual patients on here. Speaker 2 (09:38): So I did outreach to those individuals as well. Which was great in that sense. I mean talk about like, you know, unexpected, positive. So that was good. Then with my lawyer, which we're still in the process of doing so a little bit slower in the holidays. It also, I'm just personally, not in any rush because I got so stressed out about it that just like, I'm okay, I've got, I've gotten zero patients from Google reviews, so it's not the end of the world. But she's writing out in legal jargon, what I'm going to be now sending to Google to ask it to be, and it's according to their policies, why these are inappropriate reviews. And so that is what our next step is. I have not met with anyone else yet, but because of enlight of how bored people are, are during the pandemic. Speaker 2 (10:29): And they're putting a lot more emphasis on these negative things, no matter how small or how big they I am in the process of being connected with the lawyer, through my lawyer to learn when I need to do a cease and desist. And when I, when I know it's actually necessary, I still am getting a little bit harassed by them, but I I'm. I'm okay. I'm good right now. But I do want to know, and that I look forward to learning, to be able to share with people like, Hey, here is when you hire the lawyer officially, because that is a good question. Lawyers should get paid for what they're doing, but it's just knowing when you bring that in, which is a very big deal that I think should just be common knowledge. And then where we were able to get one review, Oh, there's also a thing after you submit in there's you can write a post about it on Twitter and you tag people with Google. Speaker 2 (11:28): I forget who you tag. You guys will have to Google it. You'll have to Google the Google thing, but it you can do, I didn't get that far. I also was so hesitant to do that because then it would take it into the physical therapy world at large of, Oh, what's the going down with Jenna. I'm like, Oh my God, like it's literally children who are upset about musical theater. Readings has nothing to do. Like, no. Okay. And then my husband was helpful. He was able to get one of the reviews down by reporting the person's profile. Speaker 2 (12:04): And that was very good. So that was one there's still two that have written reviews. There are three with just one star reviews without writing anything. And none of them have been patients. And we believe that they created two false profiles to put in two of those one star reviews. Interesting. but at the end of the day, they're not in my Rolodex of patients, so they're not patients. So yeah, it's been a bit of a journey dealing with it, but that's a little bit of what I did. There's not one way to do it. There are suggestions on responding to the person where you can say, Hey, I'm so sorry to hear of this complaint. I don't have any records of you as a patient. Please feel free to email me at because there's no conversations that happen within the feed. It's like your reply and that's it. And people can look at it. That's Speaker 1 (13:02): Actually, that could be pretty helpful. Speaker 2 (13:05): My, my lawyer said right now, don't just because we, she was like, let's just, let's just, I'm fine with waiting right now. You know what? The level of stress gets so high, it got real bad for me to be throwing up from stress is a big thing. So the fact that I'm not throwing up, I'm doing well is good. So I'm okay with it being a slow occurrence because my body does start to shake going back into that world, which to me is also just another recognizer of why it's important to know when it's time to block certain people from your life. If they're making you shake and vomit, because you're stressing, like they're just not meant to be in your life. It's fun. It's that simple, you know? But yeah, no, it's, it's, it's it's a very humbling, very embarrassing situation to be dealing with. But I have learned that there are, there are definitely a lot more businesses right now dealing with that, unfortunately. Yeah. I wish people invested more time in the positive stuff to raise up to be the positive changes that we want rather than let's just tear people down because in that action, the wrong people are being torn down. Speaker 1 (14:20): Yeah. Well, thanks for sharing that. And also, thanks for sharing what you did to kind of help as best you can at the moment. Kind of rectify some of that because now if people are listening and they go through that as well, they'll have at least an idea of like, okay, well here's a place where I can start. So thank you for that. Speaker 2 (14:36): Yeah. If anybody ever wants to talk some crap about what you're dealing with, I'm here for you. Speaker 1 (14:41): Yeah. Great. All right, Julie, let's go to you to your, your, your ups and downs of, I have a feeling that your, your and low point might kind of be the same thing, but I don't, I don't know. So go ahead. I'll, I'll throw it over to you. Yeah, Speaker 3 (14:59): Yeah. So I actually remember when we did the show last year, I said that I wanted 20, 20 to be more of a focus on more of my personal life and focusing on family and things in that direction, because in the past it had been all about my business and everybody has had challenges in the physical therapy world with their business. And we have with Newport coast physical therapy, we've actually come out strong. And that isn't really what I wanted to focus on because it's supposed to be personal. So I guess for my lows. Hmm. So me and Wade we've been together for 11 years. We had our 11 year anniversary. And when we're thinking about starting a family and everything, we were like, okay, we have to kind of celebrate the last year that we're going to have together. Just me and you. So 2020 we had like, all these things planned for our relationship. Speaker 3 (16:03): We were going to go to Switzerland, literally the day of the lockdown, that was our flight to Switzerland. And we were like, Oh no. Okay. So we can't do that. And then we had planned some things in the States, like going to national parks and all of those ended up closing down. And then, and then I I'm pregnant. I was pregnant with twins throughout all of this. So then as you know, I get further along in my pregnancy, it's getting harder to do anything just because pregnancy can for wound baby, but with two babies, it was just like, ah, I could give birth at any day. So I don't really want to be too far away from the hospital and everything. So I would say that for the lows, me and Wade didn't really get to kind of celebrate our last year together just as us and which is fine. You know, we, we, we made it work and did some other things, but I think that we didn't get to kind of grieve that aspect of our relationship changing. So that was a little bit of a challenge, but the highs, obviously Speaker 1 (17:15): I had my twins August Speaker 3 (17:19): In Westin and they're three months old right now. They are actually let's see, they're one month adjusted. So they were born two months early and they spent about two months in the NICU. So that was a little bit of a challenge, but given all the COVID and everything going on, luckily there was plenty of resources for my babies and they had great medical care and are super healthy now. So yeah, my highest definitely having my two boys, they're adorable and they're definitely a lot of work, all consuming basically, but hopefully in the next year, I'll get a better swing of, you know, balancing family life and managing my business and everything. So that's kind of a bit of a summary of my 2020 Speaker 1 (18:11): Now let's, let's talk about quickly for, cause you know, a lot of people that listen to this podcast, they're physical therapists and might be entrepreneurs, women kind of around in, in your stage of life who are thinking about I'm going to have children and what's going to happen to my business. How am I going to do this? So do you have any advice and, and what have you done with your business as, and I mean, twins, I goodness, but we should say that Julie is also a twin, so it's not shocking that you had twins. Speaker 3 (18:41): I wasn't surprised when they see that as having twins, I was like, you know what? There was a chance that was going to happen. Yeah. But I would say that for anybody that's in kind of a similar life stage, I fortunately, since my business model is pretty flexible in the sense that I can pick and choose when I take on patients, I don't have much business overhead just because of the, the mobile concierge practice model. That it's good for being a mom because I can kind of pick and choose when I want to take on clients. I would say that if you're, you know, the breadwinner of the family, that's a really tough position to be in because it's, it is really hard to balance everything because I'm going to be able to, you know, pick and choose clients that I want to see when I want to see them. Speaker 3 (19:35): And not everybody has that flexibility. So if you do own your business, it is a good time that maybe you could take a step back and be more on the business management side of things, where you can do things from home, from your computer and then hire somebody to go out and actually do the service. And I actually have a therapist that is doing some client visits for me right now, which thankful it's my best friend. So she's really chill to work with. But that could be a strategy that some people take on is that they end up doing some of the business management side of things instead. Speaker 1 (20:15): Yeah. So you're still working in the business. You're just not out in the field, so to speak because I mean, when you have a new, a new a newborn, I can only imagine that it takes up a lot of your time. Speaker 3 (20:30): Yeah. Every two to three hours, which, you know, if you're, you've never been around kids, I was surprised they eat that frequently. I was like, Oh my goodness. Speaker 1 (20:43): And you've got two of them, two miles to feed. Oh, that's so funny. And what, I guess, what has been your biggest aside from, you know, not getting a lot of sleep from being a new mom, is there anything that surprised you aside from how much children eat? You're like, what the hell? Why did no one tell me this? Speaker 3 (21:08): I'm trying to think. I think that the reality of taking care of a baby, like, I guess I thought it would be not as much of my time, but maybe it's because I have twins. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know any about anything about this, but it literally is like a 24 seven type situation right now. And I can only imagine for people that are going back to work at this point, because technically I've been off work for three months and not a lot of women are able to do that. They have to go back to work. I could see how challenging that would be. Cause if my twins were still in the NICU, so say I took off that six weeks of maternity leave and then had to go back to work before they even came home. That would be so tough to juggle. So it is a lot of work. Like it's the hardest job, just, just the physical toll it takes to be up and take care of babies. It's it's tough. Speaker 1 (22:08): And have you had pelvic health physical therapy? Speaker 3 (22:11): So I actually, haven't gone to a pelvic health physical therapist, not because of anything against it. I just haven't noticed any symptoms. Okay. So I do actually have a couple friends that are specialists in pelvic floor PT that I could reach out to. Maybe they would be testing me for certain things and be like, we need physical therapy. So that could be something I do in the future, but it's yeah. I fortunately have had like a very good recovery and haven't had to deal with anything on the surface at least. Speaker 1 (22:47): Excellent. That's so nice. Well, I love hearing your, your ups and downs and, and we should also say, cause I don't know that Lex is going to be able to come on here. Maybe we can splice her in later, but she did get married. So I can assume that would be her high point. If it's not, then she's, she's going to have some answering to her new brand new husband. I would assume that's her high point. And she also started her own practice in New Hampshire, which I would assume could, would also be a high point for her as well. And then what do you see happening moving forward? What are you, what are you, what are your goals, your dreams, if you will, for 2021, Jenna, I'll throw it back to you. Speaker 2 (23:34): Goals and dreams. Well we are moving to Pittsburgh. It's taken almost a full year, so I'm looking forward to moving there with husband and I have a dream office room cause I'm an actor as well still, and it's going to be decorated Disney theme. So I'm really excited to decorate and make my imagination finally come through and have the walls of tangled with the lanterns, hanging from the ceiling and have all my different collectibles up on display and my lights and my cameras and everything up permanently. So I don't have to keep putting it down and putting it under the bed in a New York studio apartment. I, that will be like Speaker 1 (24:21): For me, cannot wait, cannot wait, Julie, how about you? I'm definitely going to be going to Switzerland. Does I rebooked these tickets like three times and I don't know it's going to happen in 2021. I'm not from eight or tots with me. Well, yeah, go ahead Karen. I was gonna say I, if, if all goes well with 2021, I'll be in Switzerland in November. So you could come to a course, write it off. Oh my goodness. That's a great idea. What is the course? The course is only one day and if it happens I will tell you about it. Cause I don't think it's been announced officially yet. But it's just a one day course. So you can go to Switzerland, just pop over to burn for one day and then you pop out. Oh my goodness. It's it's the the, I think it's like the Thursday or Friday before Thanksgiving. Speaker 1 (25:25): All right. That'll be good. Cause the twins will be over one years olds. Okay. Throwing it out there. You guys, I will be in Switzerland. It's going to happen. Awesome. Well, I have to say Switzerland is really, really beautiful, so I'm sure you will love it. Love it, love it. I don't know. Should I talk about my highs and lows, I guess highs and lows. So I guess my lows were I think when, when everything happened here in New York and Jenna can probably corroborate this, but it was an, it was a little scary, you know, because it was everything locked down, nip. It, it locked down so quickly, but and nobody really knew what was going on. And I think that was a big, low, and I think I had, again, the sleepless nights and the anxiety about, well, what's what, what will happen with my practice? Speaker 1 (26:29): W what am I going to do? I see people in their homes, like you couldn't go anywhere, couldn't do anything. And, and so I think that, that, that sort of stress around that was definitely a low point professionally and then personally, well, my boyfriend and I broke up, but that's probably for the best in the long run. And then my sister had some health trouble, so it was a big sort of just like everyone else. 2020 was like a big sorta show. But that being said, the not knowing what I was going to do for work and being stressed as a low point turned into, I would say a high point along with Jenna is I started integrating tele-health, which is something I will continue to do. So now I do probably see half the people in person and half people via telehealth. Speaker 1 (27:23): And I love it. I love doing it. I think it's it's working very well. And I was also able to launch a business program to help physical therapists with the business and the business side of things. And that's been really fulfilling and getting nice reviews from that from people who have taken the course. So that, which makes me very happy because my whole anxiety was wrapped around. That was like, what do people take it? And they hate it and they think it's stupid and they don't want to do it. What am I going to do? And, and so, you know, you have all these doubts about like self doubts about what you do as a person and what you do as a therapist professionally. So I think those were, it was sort of a mixed bag of highs and lows. Speaker 1 (28:08): And I guess what I'm looking forward to, I too, am looking forward to going to Switzerland. And and just being able to travel and see people, like, I would really love to see my parents who I haven't seen in almost a year. And so that would be lovely because we did not, I did not see family for Thanksgiving or Christmas and probably won't until we all are vaccinated. Just to give everyone a little sense of that, like we're doing the right thing. So I think that's my, the biggest things I'm looking forward to is seeing my family, being able to see friends in person and colleagues in person, because, you know, we miss seeing all of you guys too, you know, so I think that's the things that I'm most looking forward to for 2021 is, and I don't, I don't think that things will go back to the way they were quote unquote, but I think that they'll be an improvement on where we are now. I don't know. What do you guys think? Speaker 4 (29:18): Yeah. I think having our support systems slowly return is going to be really, really fulfilling to just for humans. Like we love human contact and our relationships having all those kinds of slowly come back together is going to be amazing. Yeah. Speaker 1 (29:35): Yeah. I love the way you put that. Having our support systems back is huge. Yeah. Hugging. Yeah. I miss hugs. I know, I know one of my friends hugged me like a friend that lives here in New York. She hugged me and I was like, you know what to do? I froze up. I was like, Oh my God, what is she doing? Hugging is so good. Speaker 2 (29:57): Why my husband gives me time limits for my hugs. Cause I'll keep hugging. I love hugs and I miss hugs. I even miss the Wilson's a musical theater specific thing, but go into a musical theater audition and all the annoying screens of people reuniting with someone they only saw just a week ago, you know, cause we won't want to feel cool, but the people will see and know, but then we do it too. When we run into the people we haven't seen. Who's guilty of it. But yeah, hugging, hugging is just beautiful. Speaker 1 (30:32): Yeah. Human contact. Speaker 4 (30:36): What if on my flight to Switzerland, I have a layover in New York and then I can see you. Speaker 1 (30:45): Yeah. What is that quick? Have a quick one day layover and then Optus. Switzerland. Oh, I know. I forget. You're in California, such a long flight. Speaker 2 (30:54): You need to get pizza. You would need to get Levine's cookies. Oh yeah. And what else, what else would the food wise I'm thinking? I was thinking, Speaker 1 (31:06): Yeah, I just had, I just had a Levine cookie a couple of weeks ago. I eating live only a couple blocks. So the vain bakery was, it got really, really popular because of Oprah. It was like one of Oprah's favorite things like maybe a decade ago. Yeah. That's why they're so popular. But the cookies are like scones, like they're thick and gigantic. Like I got a cookie, it took me like three days to eat it. Speaker 2 (31:31): Yeah, no they're thick. It's, Speaker 1 (31:33): It's a lot, it's a lot of cookie dough there. But they are, they are pretty delicious. Now. You'd swear. We were sponsored by Levine. Speaking of sponsors, I have to say thank you to our sponsor net health. Speaker 4 (31:47): Great segue right there. Speaker 1 (31:50): Just getting it to me. So net health has been sponsoring the podcast for a couple of years and I'm really, really grateful and thankful to them and their support, their continued support. And net health has grown by leaps and bounds since they first started sponsoring the podcast. And so I'm really happy to see their growth, their Pittsburgh company, by the way, Jenna. Oh yeah. Pennsylvania company. And and so I'm really, it's really been exciting for me to see their growth and their movement upward and the fact that they are doing their best to help healthcare providers, which I think is awesome. And they also have, and not that they're telling me to say this, but they really do have some really good webinars. So they're usually free. So if you want like good webinars, business-wise they really have some good stuff, especially if cash based or non cash based. So I would definitely check out their webinars because they're all pretty good and usually free. I like free. Yeah. And everybody loves free. Okay. So I guess I'll ask you guys one last question, knowing where you are now in your life and in your career, what advice would you give to your younger self? Speaker 4 (33:05): Okay. I should be prepared for this because you know, this happens every single episode and did not think this question was coming at me. Okay. So the first thing that comes to mind, and I think it's important is that you should always maintain a sense of curiosity about everything going on in your life professionally, personally, I think that if you're open-minded and you can kind of think on things a little bit differently, just because you're not closed off, you might be able to see solutions in ways that you didn't think of before. So that is very theoretical, but I just think that that kind of vibe, if you maintain that sense of curiosity about everything, it can kind of lead you in new directions. What do you think? I think that's great advice. Speaker 2 (34:00): Oh my God. I'd love that. I, I I feel like I should have gone first because it naturally segues to what you just said. Oh let's Speaker 4 (34:10): Oh no, Speaker 2 (34:11): No, no, no. I think it's perfect. I loved it. I was like, Oh, you know, like for me, I get my best ideas on the toilet, but I still, I thought that was amazing. I was thinking the first thing that popped into my head was don't waste your time on the, focus on where, what your vision is for your life and put all your energy into that as it, and this is why it's like, why it's so good to yours. And now like the candles, I was like, Oh my God, this is perfect. It's so great for us. Speaker 1 (34:42): Perfect. I think that's both great advice. And, and I know I asked this question every time and how I would answer it, knowing where I am now in my life and in my career. I think that what I would tell myself, even like fresh out of, out of college is when it kind of goes along with maybe what a combination of what you guys both said. But what I would tell myself is to don't limit myself by what I see other people doing. Because sometimes like when I first graduated, I knew PTs worked in a hospital, they worked in a clinic and that was kind of it, you know? And so I didn't never saw that sort of broader vision. And so I think I would tell myself to look to people outside of the profession to help you your state in your own profession and seek out those people that have, that genuinely have an interest in you as a person and, and want to be a part of your life and a part of your success. Because I think I've fallen victim to people who I thought had my best interests at heart, and I'm a trusting person. And as it turns out they didn't. So I think really, I think as you get older, you sort of, you maybe, maybe I just have a better sense of who I am and what I want. And so I'm no longer kind of easily swayed and convinced by people who in the end don't really have my best interest at heart, Speaker 4 (36:28): But that's one of the qualities I love about you though. Karen is how trusting you are. I think that does serve you too in your life. So I think that don't ever lose that. That is something that it's, it's a gift and not everybody can be vulnerable. And I think that you wear that really well. Speaker 1 (36:46): Oh, well, that's nice. Yeah. I don't think I would, I'm not going to become that cynical of a new Yorker, but I'm going to, Jenna knows what I'm talking about. But I think that I'm just going to just be a little bit more discerning on the people that I choose to kind of surround myself with. And I think that I've been doing that more recently over the last couple of years, and I think that it has served me well, but that's what I would tell my younger self out of college anyway. Yeah. All right. So any last bits, any last, anything Speaker 4 (37:23): We're all gonna make it we're all gonna survive hopefully. Yeah. Speaker 1 (37:27): Yes. Rules. Yes. Jenna will be going to Florida next year because she missed it for CSM. I know, I know no CSM in Florida this year, but we did videotape our performance, little plug, Jen and I to have a thing at CSM on February 11th at 7:00 PM. Join us for our prerecorded topics on social media, social media. Yeah. Basically. How do you social media, mainstream media to improve your presence as physical therapist and then I think, but I'm not sure we might have a live Q and a afterwards at 8:00 PM. We're so clear. Speaker 1 (38:10): So we'll find out. So anyway thank you so much, Julie and Jenna and Lex for all of your hard work and all of your commitment and I love you all, all three of you. I was going to say, I love you both. And then a Lex, and I'm just getting, I love all three of you. And I really, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you so much. Thank you as well. All right, everyone. Thank you so much for listening. I wish you all the very best and, and fingers crossed for a better 20, 21 and stay healthy, wealthy and smart.

On this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy and Smart Podcast, Jenna Kantor guests hosts and interviews Gabbi Whisler on anxiety. Dr. Gabbi Whisler is no stranger to anxiety and depression. After years of struggling to find her path, she landed on physical therapy and has been combining the two worlds together, the use of physical therapy to help treat and coach patients with anxiety. No system ever works alone and when the physical, the mental, emotional and spiritual can be all addressed, then that is when true healing can be found.  In this episode, we discuss: -When anxiety manifests in the career cycle of a physical therapist -3 practical steps towards mastery over your anxiety -Why communication is important to break down the stigma surrounding mental health -The future role for physical therapists in mental health treatment -And so much more!   Resources: Gabbi Whisler Instagram Gabbi Whisler Facebook Mind Health DPT Website     A big thank you to Net Health for sponsoring this episode!  Learn more about the Redoc Patient Portal here.                                                                        For more information on Gabbi: Dr. Gabbi Whisler is no stranger to anxiety and depression. After years of struggling to find her path, she landed on physical therapy and has been combining the two worlds together, the use of physical therapy to help treat and coach patients with anxiety. No system ever works alone and when the physical, the mental, emotional and spiritual can be all addressed, then that is when true healing can be found.   “I've shared intimately my experiences with anxiety, panic attacks, alphabetizing, fixations, and suffering. Meds failed me. Doctors failed me. Anxiety controlled my life. I was drained, exhausted and defeated. I knew something had to change and I had to do it myself. I created freedom. You can too.”   For more information on Jenna: Jenna Kantor (co-founder) is a bubbly and energetic girl who was born and raised in Petaluma, California. Growing up, she trained and performed ballet throughout the United States. After earning a BA in Dance and Drama at the University of California, Irvine, she worked professionally in musical theatre for 15+ years with tours, regional theatres, & overseas (www.jennakantor.com) until she found herself ready to move onto a new chapter in her life – a career in Physical Therapy. Jenna is currently in her 3rd year at Columbia University’s Physical Therapy Program. She is also a co-founder of the podcast, “Physiotherapy Performance Perspectives,” has an evidence-based monthly youtube series titled “Injury Prevention for Dancers,” is a NY SSIG Co-Founder, NYPTA Student Conclave 2017 Development Team, works with the NYPTA Greater New York Legislative Task Force and is the NYPTA Public Policy Committee Student Liaison. Jenna aspires to be a physical therapist for amateur and professional performers to help ensure long, healthy careers. To learn more, please check out her website: www.jennafkantor.wixsite.com/jkpt   Read the full transcript below: Jenna Kantor(00:03): Hello. Hello. Hello. This is Jenna Kantor with the podcast, healthy, wealthy, and smart. I'm here with Gabbi Whisler, like give a little whistle and I'm so excited to be jumping on and talking about anxiety and if you can tell from my energy, Oh gosh, I never deal with that. What physical therapist deals with anxiety. So first of all, Gabbi, thank you so much for popping on. What got you interested in really focusing on anxiety for physical therapists? Why this passion? Why not just treating patients and focusing on the patients and their anxiety?   Gabbi Whisler: Yeah, so it's kind of an ironic story because I was out in California working as a travel PT. I was maybe four or five months out from graduation from PT school and I was miserable. I was like, I cannot do this the rest of my life kill me. Gabbi Whisler(00:59): I just can't. It was awful. And Andrew Tran, owner of physio memes is my now roommate, but he was actually across the country, I think in North Carolina maybe. And he was one of my colleagues that do travel PT to somewhere and I called him and I was like, Andrew, I can't do this. It's miserable. And I don't know what else to do. I just racked up $180,000 in debt. Like I'm supposed to love this. It's supposed to be great. I'm helping people but I hate it. What do I do? And he was like, well, what do you want to do? What are you good at? What would you love? And I was like, I honestly have no idea. So I had to go to the drawing board and really do some digging. And I was like, what would I love? And the very first thing that popped in my head is I dealt with anxiety all my life. Gabbi Whisler (01:38): I'm in a much better place. I can't think of anything better than helping other people to get to that destination as well. And I was like, I can do that as a PT though, right? And I called Andrew and I was like, am I even allowed to do this? Like is this a thing? And he was like, well it is if you make it. And something just clicked. And I was like, well that's kind of cool and ever since I still don't always know what I'm doing but I'm making the path to be able to do it. So it's a lot of fun. But I still, like I said, I don't know what I'm doing most days and I still deal with anxiety myself as well. So it's kind of this ironic but fun twist because that allows me to connect with my clients now on a deeper level than as a PT. Gabbi Whisler (02:19): I've never dealt with a shoulder replacement or a knee replacement or anything like that to really connect with my patients in the outpatient ortho setting or I've never really had like a major fall to connect with my geriatric patient, but to connect with a 28 year old woman sitting in front of me who's had major anxiety, doesn't want to take meds and it's like, what are my other options? And to show her how to use exercise and kind of monitor what she's eating and drinking and just a mindfulness approach to feel better is incredible. And we can do that. As PTs, we learned about breathing, we learned about reflexes, we learn about exercise and movement and it's a lot of fun.   Jenna Kantor: So I love that. And, why do you think there's the whole thing with anxiety and PT? I think this goes hand in hand with burnout. Gabbi Whisler (03:07): Yeah, it does. So from a clinician perspective or from a patient perspective, because it's on both ends actually, which is really focusing on clinician focusing on the physical therapy. Yeah, a lot of it is burnout. A lot of it is expectations that I don't think we're prepared for in PT school. Well I think going into PT school, we have this grand idea that, you know, we're a doctor of physical therapy, we have all this autonomy and we have the ability to almost do what we want. And it's really quite the opposite out there for most of them. Until we realized that we are able to kind of break out of that mold. But in the traditional setting, we're very limited in what we can do and we're dictated and governed by doctors and other clinicians and our patients and insurance, and we think we're going to have all this freedom to make this what we want. Gabbi Whisler (03:58): Certainly cannot always do that. And I think that leads to a lot of anxiety that that gap in expectations, expectations from other people and expectations within ourselves in there are aligned. And that's what causes burnout as well. So it goes hand in hand.   Jenna Kantor: Yeah, I totally get that for forgive the sounds, the grumbling sounds, I just want to give a complete, you know, story here that's construction in the building, not me being gassy. Okay. I just want that to be clear as we are all just massive ladies here for anxiety, for anxiety. You were saying, it's interesting where you're saying, I don't know anything about this, but then you clearly have a drive to know more in order to help other people. What is it within you that's getting you to help out other people when you are dealing with it yourself? Gabbi Whisler (05:00): Yeah. Yeah. So I know what it's like to be at like that rock bottom and not have any outlet. Cause when I was going through all of this, you know, dealing with anxiety, depression, OCD, I knew in my heart I did not want to take medications. I knew in my heart talk therapy wasn't for me. I had given it a try and I was like, this is just, it's awkward for me. And I never felt like I left there feeling better. So I was like, I'm not going to continue wasting my money. And it was one of those things, I sat down with my primary care doctor and I was like, okay, what's next? And he had no direction for me. And I just remember what that felt like. And now as a PT, I know. So I said, I know, I said I don't know what I'm doing. And that's true. I don't necessarily know the direction my career is going. Yeah. PT, I know what I'm doing. Gabbi Whisler (05:38): I know how to prescribe all of these exercises. But at the same time I don't, and I think that's how we all feel in our careers. So really it's not anything I'm normal but knowing that I have tools that other people are searching for, knowing that someone out there needs what I have to offer but I'm just too afraid to put it out there sometimes is what gives me that little motivation or that little push to go ahead and do it anyway. You probably deal with that too cause your niche is so specific and so focused and so high performance. I'm sure you encounter that as well too.   Jenna Kantor: Yeah, I get that. I get that. I hadn't really dealt with anxiety until after the conference. Smart success physical therapy like just this past year. And it was when I came back home and I have a best practice where I work with dancers and all of them were better, which of course it's great, but as business goes freaking out, Oh my God, I was just like, this is the worst thing in the world and we're, for some people that would be something to brag about. For me that was something to significantly freak out about. Jenna Kantor(06:55): Awful, awful, awful, awful. I do not recommend anxiety and stress at all. Not even a little, Oh my God, this sucks so bad. So that's my experience with anxiety and it's gone. I've gotten better with it over time and I think that has to do with really acknowledging taking action for myself. So for you, with people, what are your like big overall tips that you just, when somebody reaches out to you and they're like, Oh my God, I'm about to like, collapse my anxiety so bad right now. What are things that you give them to kind of help them out at that point? Yes. So like top five things or three or 20 I don't know what your number, I'm just saying numbers. Gabbi Whisler (07:54): Very first thing I tell them is give yourself grace and permission. Cause so often we can find ourselves to the notion that anxiety is this horrible thing and cause anxiety and depression are just emotions truly like their emotions and we so often label them as good or bad emotions in general and we always strive to feel happy and we strive to run away from anxiety and depression. The very first thing I told girls or guys or whoever I'm working with is let it be your anxious, like accept it and just sit with it for a minute and allow your body to feel that because your body needs it. It's very uncomfortable. It's very uncomfortable. It's like not butterflies, but it's like, Oh it's very uncomfortable. It's hard. Her own skin. That's the best word that I can think of. Like you literally want to run out of your own body. Gabbi Whisler (08:43): Yeah, yeah. Lots of you can have a moment. So that's what I was like, give yourself the grace to be human. The fact that you're experiencing this and then use it as an indicator. So like, so often we're controlled by our emotions and they tell us how to live our life. You know, when we were anxious we want to sit in bed but instead use as an indicator. What's this trying to tell you? Like what's going on in life? You feel this way? And beyond that, what can you do about it? So like you said, action, what action can you take to move on from this? Cause so often we let it paralyze us, but that's really when we need to take some sort of action, whether it's to talk to someone or maybe getting a medication or going to talk therapy or going for a run or lifting weights or like what needs to happen to make you feel better. Gabbi Whisler (09:31): And it's different for every person. So those are my top three starting points. I guess. Three is my number, but really it's giving yourself that grace, using as an indicator and then taking action.   Jenna Kantor: Yeah. Yeah, that definitely makes sense. When you're saying give grace, what are ways that you can, because it's not just like, okay, I'm giving myself grace. What are things where you could actively be, you know, literally taking actions, you know, like cleaning the dishwasher, you know, what are things that you could do to help you start learning what it is to give yourself grace? Do you know what I mean?   Gabbi Whisler: Yeah. So I'll just share examples of what I do in my own day cause I think that might be easier. But when I get anxious, I literally will sit with myself and say, Hey Gabbi, it's really okay that you feel this way. Gabbi Whisler (10:18): And I just kind of let my body off sit with it for a minute, you know, I recognize, okay, my chest is tight, my fingers are tingling, my eyes, my vision sometimes changes just a little bit. And I'm like, this is normal. It's nothing to panic over. This is my body's response. Okay. It's okay in the moment. Like it doesn't take it away, but it's like, okay, I know I'm not dying in the moment because often we do, right? Like, we're like, Oh my gosh. Gabbi Whisler (10:55): So I'll sit with it and then from there, a lot of times what I'll do is I like to have one person in mind for, you know, if I'm feeling angry, it might be my sister that I call if I'm feeling hurt, it's my mom that I call who's really good at helping me through whatever I'm feeling in the moment. And I always have that on the back burner and that's the first thing that I'll do is get it out because the more we hold it in ourselves, the worst off we get. And sometimes it's not even talking to the most sometimes like I'll literally sit in my room in front of a mirror and talk to myself. Jenna Kantor(11:46): It’s cool you can out like get it out. Like you did get it out in the universe. You know, before we started recording today, you were sharing something with me about wanting to just get out in the, because once you do that, you're more likely to follow through and take action and feel better about it. It's true. It's true. Like I'm doing this, I'm doing this. It's true. But I never thought about it in a way where you would use it as a tool with when you're like feeling it because it's like a zit that's dying to pop. Jenna Kantor(12:26): Yeah. So for you, where do you find in the physical therapists life with people reaching out you a common time when people, are you actually, okay, I'm going to actually separate this out. Common point in someone's career, whether it be student, new, grad or professional, where are you finding a real, like this is where it's happening a lot specifically in the physical therapy career.   Gabbi Whisler: The answer's kind of funny, but all of the above. So for students I'll kind of go through each one cause I think we all do, it's just a matter of like, so each stage will have points throughout it that are very specific when that anxiety is like greatest. But for students it's typically right before the NPTE or right before an exam, like a lab practical that students are reaching out to like, Oh my gosh, I'm so anxious. Gabbi Whisler (13:18): I don't know how to handle this. I've never really experienced anxiety until now. Usually that's when they're noticing it is in grad school. And they're like, what can I do? And then, you know, I'll try to talk with them through that. As far as anxieties go, a lot of new grads experience it. Cause again, it's expectations. They're in school for so long and they have people guiding them and now all of a sudden they're kind of fed to the wolves and they're expected to do things that they weren't, they weren't yet in their minds, comfortable with. And also seasoned clinicians, a lot of times they're like, it's either burnout, it's not finding satisfaction in their career. It's wanting something more like, not feeling, they're not necessarily burned out, but they're also, they feel like they're doing the same thing day in and day out and they're not contributing to the world in a greater way, I guess. Gabbi Whisler (14:08): Or they're not seeing, yeah, just frustrating for them, but also sad from an outside perspective. Cause they're still making a huge impact, but they're just, it's routine for them now, so they're not seeing, so it's not as fulfilling. They feel like they're very separate from what they're doing.   Jenna Kantor: Yup. Exactly. Exactly. Wow. That's powerful. Right. Because they're still, they're changing people's lives. Like every 20 minutes are changing someone's lives, but they're just doing it so often they don't see it. Where does shame come into all this?   Gabbi Whisler: Ooh, that's a good question. I think it's very specific person to, but probably again, that mismatch in expectations so they don't feel like they're providing the care that they should be for their patients and then in front of their patient, you know, they have to continue and be professional and carry on throughout their day, but inside their brain, they're like, am I really the best person to be helping this person? You know, we tend to tell our story ourselves, stories like that. So that's true. That's insanely true. Jenna Kantor(15:44): Yeah. Wow. Yeah. If there was going to be, I would say one big vision you have for physical therapists regarding anxiety, what would be your big like one day Do you know what I mean?   Gabbi Whisler: So this is kind of a far stretch, but I'll bring it back full circle model clinician because right now as PTs we can't treat anxiety or we can't treat mental health. It's just not like fully within our scope of practice. So myself and another PT are actively working to try to get PT into, there's a world Federation for mental health and there's other countries that are participating in and it's specific to physical therapy. So we're hoping to get PTs in that role because I think right as PTs were very uncomfortable with the idea of mental health because it doesn't get talked about in PT school. We don't really talk about it with our patients. It's one of those things we try to skate around as much as possible and there's some clinicians out there who are great at it and I think we're as a whole, we're getting better. Gabbi Whisler (16:36): But the more we can certainly the more we can start talking about it to our patients, the more we feel comfortable within ourselves talking about it to other people and opening up as well. Cause if we can't get other people to open up, how are we ever going to open up ourselves? So it goes both ways. If we can't open up, then we can't get other people to open up. So I think once we're able to, as PTs kind of get into this role just a little bit more, and it's not that every PT has to treat mental health specifically, but we find ways of bringing it into, because we know if someone's struggling with their mental health, their physical health suffers. And so if we're not addressing that, it's so true. And if we're not addressing that first with our patients, then we're probably not getting them the results that we need. Gabbi Whisler (17:22): But if we can't do that, if we don't know how, and that goes back to our own lives as well. So it all kind of comes full circle. So my big goal is to get PTs to be able to go to conferences at CSM, for example, and have a course, have a talk on the side of mental health. Cause right now there's very little out there for us. So truly but surely like nothing. And it's because we're so uncomfortable with it. So that's my dream is to be able to get us in that scope of practice and also show clinicians how to handle in our patients. And I'm hoping through that they see how they can handle it within themselves as well. And kind of tackle it from that approach.   Jenna Kantor: Yeah, yeah, that makes sense to me. Oh my gosh, this is perfect. Thank you so much for coming on. I would love to ask for you to just have your mic drop moment and this could be for anyone who may be dealing with anxiety right now and I would love for you to just acknowledge that person and just give him some big picture advice if they're really feeling stuck. Gabbi Whisler (18:46): Yeah. So, Oh my gosh, I have so much in my head right now. Start with the word you. So if you are feeling super anxious and having a hard time handling this, especially throughout the workday, my biggest piece of advice for, I guess this is the direction I would go, so specific to clinicians who are feeling anxious throughout the day. And I actually have a couple girls who I work with right now, her PTs and their new grads and they're feeling this way too. They feel like they have to compartmentalize this and they can't talk about it at work. Talk to someone like whether it's your boss or a coworker, someone there needs to know that you're dealing with this because if you continue to try to do this on your own, it's only going to snowball and then your boss is going to come to you one day and be like, what in the hell is going on right now? Gabbi Whisler (19:35): You know what, what? Cause your performances is often the way you speak to patients. So the earlier you can nip it in the bud and let them know, Hey, I'm dealing with this right now. I don't want to go into details. Or you can say whatever the heck you want to, but they need to know about it. And the more comfortable you get talking to your boss, the more comfortable your boss gets talking to their employees about it as well. So you might be opening up the door for another clinician right next to you because more than likely everyone in your building is dealing with some form of anxiety. Jenna Kantor(20:16): That's true. It's not talking about it. That's very true. That's very, very true for clinicians. I love that. Oh my gosh. Thank you so much for coming on. How can people find you, find you and contact you. Thank you.   Gabbi Whisler: First, thank you for having me on. But yeah, @mindhealthDPT, that's my Instagram and Facebook handles, so they're free.   Jenna Kantor: Got it. Wonderful. Thank you so much for coming on. This was an absolute joy. I think that this is going to be extremely helpful for people who are dealing with anxiety. So you guys don't be afraid to reach out to her. She's here to help you. In fact, you're one of many.     Thanks for listening and subscribing to the podcast! Make sure to connect with me on twitter, instagram  and facebook to stay updated on all of the latest!  Show your support for the show by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!

In this episode, Danielle and Jake sit down with Dr. Jenna Kantor PT and talk all about dance, music theater, and breaking into the world of performing arts medicine. Jenna has become a leader and advocate in the dance PT world simply by being unapologetically herself.We talk with Jenna on a variety of subjects from breaking into the performing arts medicine world, dance clinical rotations and taking advantage of educational opportunities to better prepare for treating dancers. People we referenced:Will Boyd:@willboydpt on IGAlex Engar: @alexengar on IG Contact Jenna:IG: @musicaltheatredocemail: Jennafkantor@yahooJennakantorPT.comFind her on Facebook and Messengerhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/dancepts  Contact Danielle:IG:@danielleanice_dpt Contact Jake:IG: @tmd_themovementdocsFor more information on virtual health and wellness consults or programming email Jake: jmanley@mypropt.com Questions, concerns, comments, complaints? Reach out to us on the podcast at DBALPodcast@gmail.com Intro and Outro Music:reCreation by airtone (c) copyright 2019 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/airtone/59721

On this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy and Smart Podcast, Jenna Kantor guests hosts and interviews Javier Carlin on the art of listening.  Javier A. Carlin is the Clinic Director at Renewal Rehab in Largo, Florida. He is originally from Miami, he graduated with his Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy at Florida International University and is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength & Conditioning Association. In this episode, we discuss: -The difference between nosy curiosity and coaching curiosity -How to frame questions to dive deeper into conversations -Verbal and nonverbal signals to watch for during client interviews -How your clinic environment can help develop deeper client relationships -And so much more! Resources: Javier Carlin Facebook Javier Carlin Instagram  Life Coaching Academy for Healthcare Professionals Phone number: (305) 323-0427   A big thank you to Net Health for sponsoring this episode! Learn more about the Redoc Patient Portal here.   For more information on Javier: Javier A. Carlin is the Clinic Director at Renewal Rehab in Largo, Florida. He is originally from Miami, he graduated with his Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy at Florida International University and is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength & Conditioning Association. Javier has always had a passion for health and fitness and his mission in life is to help you get back to doing the things that you love to do, pain-free. His goal is to inspire people to live a healthier, happier, more fulfilling live through simple and effective wellness principles; proper nutrition coupled with a great exercise routine and good sleeping habits works wonders in how you feel inside and out! Javier enjoys spending time with his family, he loves being by the water either soaking up the sun on the beach or on a boat! He is an avid traveler, enjoys exploring new places and experiencing different cultures. He also has an adventurous side; bungee jumping, skydiving, rollercoasters, cliff diving! For more information on Jenna: Jenna Kantor (co-founder) is a bubbly and energetic girl who was born and raised in Petaluma, California. Growing up, she trained and performed ballet throughout the United States. After earning a BA in Dance and Drama at the University of California, Irvine, she worked professionally in musical theatre for 15+ years with tours, regional theatres, & overseas (www.jennakantor.com) until she found herself ready to move onto a new chapter in her life – a career in Physical Therapy. Jenna is currently in her 3rd year at Columbia University’s Physical Therapy Program. She is also a co-founder of the podcast, “Physiotherapy Performance Perspectives,” has an evidence-based monthly youtube series titled “Injury Prevention for Dancers,” is a NY SSIG Co-Founder, NYPTA Student Conclave 2017 Development Team, works with the NYPTA Greater New York Legislative Task Force and is the NYPTA Public Policy Committee Student Liaison. Jenna aspires to be a physical therapist for amateur and professional performers to help ensure long, healthy careers. To learn more, please check out her website: www.jennafkantor.wixsite.com/jkpt Read the full transcript below: Jenna Kantor (00:04): Hello. Hello. Hello. This is Jenna Kantor with healthy, wealthy and smart. I am here with Javier Carlin, thank you so much for coming on. It is an absolute joy Javier. As a physical therapist. He runs a clinic. What is the name of your clinic that you run? Javier Carlin (00:21): It's renewal rehab. Jenna Kantor (00:23): Renewal. Rehab. In what area though? In Florida. Cause you're part of a chain. Javier Carlin (00:27): Yeah, it's in Largo, Florida. So close to Clearwater. Jenna Kantor (00:30): Yes. I feel like the key Largo, Montego baby. What are we going to make it? I feel like that's part of a song. Right? Well thank you so much for coming on. You also, Oh, you also do have an online course. What's your online course? Javier Carlin (00:45): Yeah. Yeah, so it's a life coaching Academy for health care professionals where I teach healthcare professionals how to become life coaches and get their first clients. Jenna Kantor (00:54): Freaking awesome and perfect timing for that right now with everything. Corona. Thank you so much for coming on during this time and giving us both something to do. I wanted to bring Javier in because he has a skill, a magic skill that if you don't know him or you do know him now, you know, he is a Supreme listener. The first thing we did when we got on this call is, he goes, he just asked me questions just to listen what's going on. And I don't, of course I try to emulate it, but I'm not as good at him. You know, like I asked a few questions and I didn't deep dive as well as he does. So I want to dive into his brain and with this pen that I have holding and I'm going to part the hairs, get through the skull into the cerebrum. And so we can really deep dive into how your brain works when you are learning more about others, the art of listening. So first of all, thank you for having that skill. Javier Carlin (02:08): Yeah, no, absolutely. I honestly had no idea I had it until someone brought it up. And then looking into, it's kind of one of those things where, you know, I guess you have a skill. But you don't really know it. And then you try to dissect, okay, what exactly am I doing? Right? So, you know, leading up to this interview, I'm like, okay, let me actually think about this and reflect on what it is that I do. And what is it that I don't do? So that I can actually, you know, hopefully provide some value throughout the next few minutes. Jenna Kantor (02:40): Yeah, I would love to know. I think I want to just go into our conversation even before hitting the record button. What was in your brain when you first came on? Was it, Oh, I want to know what's going on. I'm just honestly like what was in that led you to start the conversation that way? Javier Carlin (02:58): That's a great question. So to be honest, I mean, I haven't seen you in a long time. We haven't spoken in a while. And so, I really, you know, did want to know what's been going on in your life? I've seen your, you know, posts on Facebook, but really had no idea what it is that you've been working on. And I always know you're up to something. So I really had a deep desire to really find out exactly what you've been working on and the people that you've been impacting. Just to know. I don't know. It's like, it's just natural for me. So, yeah. Jenna Kantor (03:38): You're like a curious George. Javier Carlin (03:40): Exactly. Yes. Jenna Kantor (03:42): Do you think that is a big base of it? It's just true curiosity. Javier Carlin (03:47): Yes. I think it's a curiosity and definitely curiosity. I'm always you know, really in tune with what people are doing. Cause I feel like it just, you know, looking deeper at it. I feel like there's, it just, I come from a place of always wanting to learn more about someone, deeply understand what they're doing and why they're doing it. Cause I think there's a lot to say about that. And it's very similar with you know, health care professionals in the sense that we're working with patients all day and we are truly, really trying to figure out you know, what's going on and where they want to get to and understanding really what they truly want the outcome to be when it comes to us helping them throughout, you know, our physical therapy and other rehab professions. And it's no different. Like that's the same, the same curiosity that I have when I, you know I'm serving patients I have with people in general. So I do believe that curiosity is a big thing and having the curiosity that's a, not in a nosy curiosity but more of like a coaching curiosity and really figuring out what's behind the words that someone is saying. Jenna Kantor (05:02): What do you mean by nosy versus coaching? Would you mind going into more depth on that? Javier Carlin (05:09): So, yeah, absolutely. So I believe, and this is, you know, there's a clear you know, when you're having a conversation with a friend, you're not really thinking about all these things. And then I think deeper into the coaching side of things, you start to think about the specific things. So when it comes to a nosy curiosity, there's always a story that someone's telling you and sometimes the story isn't even related to what the person is actually dealing with. So people use the story to kind of, let's see how I can put this to separate themselves from the interaction that you're having. Cause it's sometimes it's stuff for us to have conversations with people and really get deep down into our own emotions. So the story around it as you know, as someone who's dove into life coaching the story is actually at times something to distract people from that. And sometimes what I mean by nosy curiosity is that we actually get involved in that story, which has nothing to do with why the person is talking to you in the first place. Jenna Kantor (06:09): So it's like this superficial, superficial kind of thing, superficial thing, right? Javier Carlin (06:13): So instead of being nosy and it's the actual story and talking about the people that were in their story, we want to, you know, kind of separate that from the actual person and have a conversation about them and why that situation affected them as a person, not, you know, bringing everyone else. So that's what I mean by nosy. And he knows he's trying to get involved in their story and you know, getting involved in not just their emotions but everyone else's emotions and why they hate their boss and why this and why that. So it's really separating that from what they're telling you. Jenna Kantor (06:45): Hmm. I like that. Yeah. Yeah. Could you just keep talking cause I don't even know what question to ask next just because I'm really taking that in right now. Just tell me something else more about listening. Cause I know you came prepared just because when you're going into this, you just opened up a world of how much, I don't know, just from even that concept. So I feel a bit of the, honestly a lot of loss of words for it because just even that concept of the superficial versus diving deep down in, I guess my next question would be then when you deep dive in and you're getting, doing those investigative questions to really find out what really is the core of what's going on, how do you phrase your questions too? Because you're probably going to get to some real personal stuff. How do you do it delicately with them? So that way as you are deepening, deepening your listening, you're not invading their space. Javier Carlin (07:54): That's a beautiful question. So, I think a lot of it comes before you know, before you dive into that. So you know, you've heard of obviously you're building rapport, building trust, and at the end of the day, if someone's coming for help it typically comes with an idea that, okay, I'm going to have to, if I want someone to help me, then I have to open up to them. Otherwise, you can't really help someone. So I think, you know, it comes with that understanding and I think a lot of it also comes from coming from a place of neutrality. So not tying your emotions and your ideas and your thoughts and your beliefs and your opinions to what the person is telling you. Jenna Kantor (08:37): That's hard. That's hard. Yes. Very hard. Yeah. Javier Carlin (08:41): It really is. And, that's where, you know, that's when someone can actually feel that you're trying to either push them in a direction that they don't want to go, or that's where that nosy type of know feeling comes in, where they're like, Oh, like why are you, why are you asking me that? But I think the second thing is whenever you make an opposite, whenever you make a statement that's more of an observation or a fact Javier Carlin (09:08): As opposed to, you know, something that's a bit more emotional, you want to always end with a question. So as an example, a question. So after every statement you want to end with a question saying, Hey, you know, what's true about that? Or what comes to your mind when you hear that? Those, two questions allow you to kind of pull yourself from Hey, listen, what comes to your mind when I say that? As opposed to I'm saying this because Hey, you should do this or you should do that. Or you know, that came out like pretty that that came out as if, you know, instead of saying, Hey, you sound angry. Right? It's saying, okay, like what, you know, when I heard that it sounded like you, you know, there was some anger and what's true about that and now you're giving them the ability to respond back to that. Javier Carlin (09:57): So now it's more of an observation as opposed to kind of like telling them, or you know, letting them know, Hey, you sound angry. Right? There's more emotion to that. It's more of like, Hey, you're coming at me now. That's when someone can get a bit defensive or feel like their space has been invaded. But when you just state a fact and then ask them a question, it makes it a lot easier to have that conversation moving forward. I hope that, does that make sense? Jenna Kantor (10:25): Yeah, that does. That does big time. It actually connects, it brings it back to a conversation I had with my brother. I'm going to go a little deep on my own thing. I remember my older brother and I don't have a good relationship, but this is back in high school and there's a point to this that's not just about me, even though if anyone knows me, I love talking about myself, but he, I remember there was one evening where he was more of a night elephant, and we started talking. It was a rare time, was a rare opportunity when you just get into a deep conversation about life and anything and we were already at least an hour or something in and I'm just feeling my eyes shut on me. And I remember going through this like I have two options to continue this conversation to continue this conversation with him. Jenna Kantor (11:29): So I remember I had this opportunity to continue the conversation and force myself to stay awake and I felt like it was a very vital conversation. There was this little thing that was like, if I cut this off, it will be cutting off something big in our relationship. Me not being here to be part and present when he's open and being open to talking to me, for me to be able to hear what he has to say. Do you think that and it has over time now we don't have more. We have more solidly not a strong relationship. Do think there are conversations like that that exists that if you are not present and listening and you push it away too soon, it could actually cause damage to that relationship long term. Javier Carlin (12:33): Oh, 150%. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. and you know, it's tough. You know, diving back into exactly, you know, what you were feeling and how you're feeling and why perhaps that conversation was maybe at that time of interest or something that, like you were saying, you know, you felt like maybe falling asleep. Javier Carlin (13:03): So, you know, there's a lot to it that we could dissect really. But yes, I do agree with that. I think what happens in many conversations especially, you know, looking into it even deeper, it's, you know, when people have make offhand comments you know, short little statements in between the conversation that you're having. Most people are quick to kind of just let that pass. But that's what the person truly deep, deep inside is actually feeling and really wants to talk about. Everything else is just surface level. So, you know, exploring those offhand comments goes a very long way. And that's when people really know that you're truly focusing on them. And listening to them and that's where you get into those deeper conversations now. Again, back to the story that you just shared. There's so many different factors when it comes to that, but I definitely do believe that that can have a massive impact on, you know, the relationship moving forward and with anyone with, you know, your patients, your clients, people remember how you made them feel and that really, really sticks. Jenna Kantor (14:19): Yeah, you guys can't see me, but I'm like, yes. Hey man, I feel like I just went to church on that. But it's how you made them feel. So then, back to the clinic, you could have say a busy time, a lot of people, a lot of patients and everything and your time is running short. How do you cater to these conversations? If you see that there needs to be more time or if you do need to cut it shorter, how do you continue to feed that relationship, that trust? So you can have find an opportunity maybe later to spend more time listening to them. If you don't have it right then. Javier Carlin (14:52): That's a great question. I think there's several different ways to do it. I'll speak to more cause there's a tactical way of doing it and that's, you know, with I guess you can call it, you know, nature and the relationship through other methods with text messaging, emails and all those things. Right. Where you feel that connection with someone and continue to develop that relationship over time through sometimes automated, you know, systems and or where you're actually just sending a mass email, you know, once a week where it can still actually help to build a relationship. Right. But on the other front, you know, with our clinic specifically the way that we do that, because we do work as a team cause we are, you know, we do have insurance based model. Javier Carlin (15:40): So we do see several patients an hour. Because of the team that we have where for us specifically, it's a PT, two PTAs and two techs. Once we have a fully established clinic and got into that point that is where the PTA is that we have actually step in to treat the other patients that are there. And if I noticed, cause there's a lot of so when it comes to listening, there's, you know, when people say active listening, active listening really is it's not just listening to the words that are coming out of someone else, someone else's mouth, but also painted with everything else that's going on the unsaid, right? You really want to explore the unsaid. And that comes with a body language. You know, a visual cue is a body posture. You know, the way someone says something, their tone, their pace, right? Javier Carlin (16:28): And obviously as you get to know someone, you really get to feel how they feel when they're having a great day and when they're having a not so good day. So, you know, not letting, again, kind of like not letting offhand comments go. You don't want to let those, the visual kind of feedback that you're getting you don't want to let that go either. So, when you do see someone that's in that specific state where they might be disappointed, angry, upset, frustrated, you want to make sure that you address that right there. And then, and the way that we do that specifically at the clinic is we take them into the evaluation room and we can do that because of the fact that we work as a team, everyone on the team knows exactly what every single patient should be doing and knows them at a deep level so I could actually step out and have that deeper conversation with whoever needs it at that time. Javier Carlin (17:20): We'll sit for, you know, five, 10, 15 minutes, however long we need, really to explore what is going on at a deeper level so that we can ensure that they don't drop off. Cause typically what happens is that when you don't, when you just kind of let that go, that's where you get a patient call in to cancel and then it happens not just once, but twice, three times, four times, and then they ghost you. So that's how we handle that situation. Jenna Kantor (17:50): Absolutely. Absolutely. I think that's a really important thing to put into place. So for clinics alone, how would you, if they don't have something set up and say they're a busy clinic and they don't have something set up where people can have the time to necessarily sit and listen, how could they start implementing that in order to improve the relationships with their patients and then they're showing up? Javier Carlin (18:13): Yeah, that's a great question. And I think there's so many variables depending on how the clinic is set up and ran. I believe that, you know, I think as you know, obviously as physical therapists ourselves, I think our first instinct is to always like go to like the physical, right? Like, you're feeling this way today. Okay, don't worry. Like, we're going to make you feel better after this. It's like, wait a second. Well maybe the person, maybe for those initial 30 minutes, they don't even need, you know, therapeutic exercises or whatever it is that we're prescribing them for that day. Maybe they just need to have a conversation, right, for 20, 30 minutes and just to let it all out. And those 30 minutes of actually just talking to them just because we can't bill for that time technically. That's going to be the difference maker between them actually seeing the results longterm and dropping off. So it's making that clear distinction and deciding, okay, what this person needs at this point in time is not, you know, to do a core exercises or to get manual therapy. What they need is to just have a conversation about what's going on in their world. Cause ultimately that's what matters the most event. Jenna Kantor (19:28): So yeah, true question. I think that was great. That was good. I just want you to know, okay. So then during this time, the Corona virus, what has your clinic been exploring on a listening standpoint with the switch to virtual to try to fit those needs? Like, I don't know, it's kind of an open ended question for you to interpret this however you'd like. Javier Carlin (19:58): Yes. So I think, you know, it's been, to be honest, it's been a challenge. And the biggest reason why is, you know, knowing that tele-health existed for, you know, the last year, two years, et cetera. And, has been existing, we didn't really make a push to have that as an additional service. So what's happening now is that it's like physical therapy, right? A lot of people still don't know what physical therapy is and it's not something that they necessarily want. It's just something that they need. Right? So, same thing with telehealth. It's something that, you know, now we're adding to things that people don't know, which is physical therapy and telehealth. And now we're, you know, most people are now trying to figure out, okay, how can we push tele-health without, you know, having any like, previous conversation about this. Javier Carlin (20:53): So that's where the challenge lies is that you have people who are, you know, the ones who do know what physical therapy is. We're coming in and you know, when they think of PT, they have this, you know, they have this picture in their mind because it's what they've been doing for the past, you know, X amount of weeks and now you're trying to get them to jump on to a different type of platform to, you know, provide a service that in their minds can only be done in person. So what we've seen started to do is we've started to offer complimentary telehealth visits. So the first visit is completely free 15 to 20 minutes in length. And offering that first, you know, giving the patient an opportunity to experience what it's like and showing them how valuable it can be. Javier Carlin (21:39): And then from there deciding to make an offer for them to actually purchase, you know, X amount of business. And typically, you know, your time is your time, so you want to typically charge the same that you would an actual in person session. But because this is so new, we have decided to offer it at a very, very low rate. So that barrier to entry is a lot less, especially in this time where you know, people's finances might not be at their all time high, or at least, they're not going to say, they're a little bit more reserved with what they're spending their money on. People are still spending money, but with what they're spending their money on. So that's how we're handling that now. A lot of, you know, constant communication through text messages, emails and just listening. Jenna Kantor (22:34): Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. That's amazing. Thank you so much for coming on. Is there anything else you want to add in regards to the art of listening that you think is a key point for people to take home with them? Javier Carlin (22:47): Yeah, so I think the last thing, and this is actually a quote from Stephen Covey and I have it here cause I didn't want to butcher it, but basically he says most people do not listen with the intent to learn and understand. They listen with the intent to reply. They are either speaking or preparing to speak. So that's it. Jenna Kantor (23:09): That's great. That's a really good quote. Sums it up. Yeah. Well thank you so much for coming on Javier. How can people find you on social media? What are your addresses on Facebook, Instagram, all the above? Javier Carlin (23:32): Sure. So I'm on Instagram. I'm at @drJavierCarlin. So dr Javier Carlin on Facebook have your Carlin's so you can just look me up there and friend request me. I do have life coaching Academy for healthcare professionals a Facebook community. So you can always jump into that as well with a podcast coming out soon. And I think that's it. If you want to send me a, you know, text message and just link up my phone number is (305) 323-0427 to have a conversation. Jenna Kantor (24:05): I love that. I love that so much and if you guys want to see or hear him in action, if you're in the group or even in his future podcast, you'll see from the way he interviews and speaks with people how he really uses his curiosity and deep dives and learns more and listens so well. Just watching him in action alone, aside from just even experiencing it yourself, you'd be like, Oh wow, he's good at this. I feel very listened to, thank you so much for coming on. Everyone jumping in, thank you for joining and have a great day.   Thanks for listening and subscribing to the podcast! Make sure to connect with me on twitter, instagram  and facebook to stay updated on all of the latest!  Show your support for the show by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!

On this episode of the Healthy, Wealthy and Smart Podcast, Jenna Kantor guests hosts and interviews Stephanie Weyrauch on advocacy mentorship.  An active member of the national physical therapy community, Stephanie has served on multiple national task forces for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and actively lobbies for healthcare policy issues at the local, state, and national levels of government. Stephanie is a nationally sought after speaker and consultant for topics on social media use, generational issues, and organizational membership. In this episode, we discuss: -Why you need an advocacy mentor to help guide you through healthcare policy -The benefits of being a mentor -The key to having successful advocacy efforts -And so much more! Resources: Stephanie Weyrauch Instagram Stephanie Weyrauch Twitter Stephanie Weyrauch Facebook Email: sweyrauchpt@gmail.com   A big thank you to Net Health for sponsoring this episode!  Learn more about the Redoc Patient Portal here.                                                                      For more information on Stephanie: An active member of the national physical therapy community, Stephanie has served on multiple national task forces for the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and actively lobbies for healthcare policy issues at the local, state, and national levels of government. Stephanie is a nationally sought after speaker and consultant for topics on social media use, generational issues, and organizational membership. Stephanie serves as the Vice President for the Connecticut Physical Therapy Association. She is also the co-host for The Healthcare Education Transformation Podcast, which focuses on innovations in healthcare education and delivery.   Stephanie is a Passionate Chicago Cubs fan who enjoys playing the saxophone, writing and weightlifting in her spare time. During business and leisure travels, she is always up for exploring local foodie and coffee destinations.   For more information on Jenna: Jenna Kantor (co-founder) is a bubbly and energetic girl who was born and raised in Petaluma, California. Growing up, she trained and performed ballet throughout the United States. After earning a BA in Dance and Drama at the University of California, Irvine, she worked professionally in musical theatre for 15+ years with tours, regional theatres, & overseas (www.jennakantor.com) until she found herself ready to move onto a new chapter in her life – a career in Physical Therapy. Jenna is currently in her 3rd year at Columbia University’s Physical Therapy Program. She is also a co-founder of the podcast, “Physiotherapy Performance Perspectives,” has an evidence-based monthly youtube series titled “Injury Prevention for Dancers,” is a NY SSIG Co-Founder, NYPTA Student Conclave 2017 Development Team, works with the NYPTA Greater New York Legislative Task Force and is the NYPTA Public Policy Committee Student Liaison. Jenna aspires to be a physical therapist for amateur and professional performers to help ensure long, healthy careers. To learn more, please check out her website: www.jennafkantor.wixsite.com/jkpt   Read the full transcript below: Jenna Kantor (00:03): Hello. Hello. Hello, this is Jenna Kantor. I'm here with Stephanie Weyrauch. You guys probably know. I mean she's not any stranger to this podcast. How many podcasts have you done on this specific one? I wish I could say third time as a charm as we go. But I wanted to bring on the good old Stephanie Weyrauch however you want to refer to her. Or you could be like, hello, master or master, whatever you prefer. I'm going to bring on Stephanie today because she's actually my advocacy mentor. And I wanted to bring her on to talk about this because I don't think people realize this can be a thing. And so I'm like you want to come on, she's all, yo, let's do it. So this is where we are. And I wanted to open this up, especially to any student physical therapist grads who are looking to get more involved with the APTA and just don't get that guidance from someone that they trust and who believes in that. So Stephanie, why do you think I wanted to work with you? Stephanie Weyrauch (01:21): I think that to do with the women in PT summit. I mean I know that, I remember the first time that we met Jenna, we were at the women in PT summit. I had seen a lot of your videos on social media and you and I were friends in social media and so I remember I came up to you and I said, Oh, you're going to at four. And you said, Oh my God, you've seen my stuff. That's so cool. Sort of talking and I think you based off of your interest in advocacy and based off of, I think you knowing that I was involved in advocacy, we just started talking about it and I think that that's just how the hell, it was a really organic thing. It wasn't anything that was really formal. It was just like, Hey, we have this common interest. We know we both enjoy. I mean we both are passionate about the profession and I think that's kind of what led you to me. Jenna Kantor (02:12): Yeah. It's funny to say it's not horrible, but to be, I remember when I asked you, I felt like I was asking you to be my girlfriend. Will you? Will you be my advocacy is a big deal. I think this is important to bring up as somebody who's really watched to continue my involvement with the APTA making changes that I foresee that will be so great for its growth. I really wanted to bring this up because it's necessarily easy to find the right person. I think of it as dating. At the end of the day, there's a lot of people who will give you tidbits, but for somebody like you or I can say, Hey, I need to talk to, they'll be available to talk to like brainstorm or whatever, or even if it's just a hard time, get through a Rocky space. Just brainstorming, but that's extremely valuable. A lot of physical therapists who are involved, they don't necessarily believe in beyond that level where I feel comfortable to be open. Stephanie Weyrauch (03:23): Yeah, I mean I think that, you know, you make a really good point about finding the right person because you know, while people say that you can go up to anybody and say, Hey, will you mentor me? I mean you really have to build that relationship, which is what advocacy is all about, right? I have been a really good advocate. It's all about building relationships and so finding that person that you can be yourself around yet that person is going to be honest enough with you to tell them you know, the things that you either need to improve on. Be that critical feedback, but also give you that positive feedback to reinforce that you're doing the things and finding that balance. So I think that you make a good point about making sure that you're finding the right person. And my advice to people is if you are interested in finding an advocacy mentor, just a mentor in general, try to foster that connection. That relationship is really important. Jenna Kantor (04:27): I remember it was a process for me because now they know what they're doing. They have what I want and everything, but I didn't feel a hundred percent and I think that is something we forget. You just think they're amazing, but how do they make you feel about yourself when you're with them? Do they make you feel good? I've had conversations with you where you've started to get me, you know, you're like, I think this, and I said our walls, that's not where you want. It may have been with the step never on me. Things that were my specific goals and values about within myself. It's been very helpful finding someone who I can be me all the way, which is a challenge. Stephanie Weyrauch (05:28): And I think that that's an important thing for mentors is that creating a mini, you're creating a person who is their own individual person and has attributes that they can bring to the table to make them strong advocate or you know, whatever the mentorship relationship is about, you're just moving them along. I always think that, you know, being a mentor is even cooler than accomplishing something yourself because the mentee accomplishes something in that route. And you foster that accomplishment by, you know, facilitating their growth and making sure that they're connected with the right people. I mean, that's just as rewarding and if not even more, all the extra people that you get to touch in addition to, you know, your own personal development as an advocate in your own personal development as a leader. So I think that, you know, it's something that not only helps you as the individual mentee, but you as the mentor, it allows you to have a larger reach and what you will have just in your little bubble who in your own advocacy thing. Jenna Kantor (06:44): Yeah, that's true. That's really, really true. And it's not easy because like you mentioned earlier, there are people who many people say, Oh yeah, I just spoke to anyone. So you have to make a decision for yourself. Are you good with getting snippets of people and having a law or would you want someone that's going to be viable for you, devoted to investing time, give you that advice and guidance? There's no wrong answer to that. I discovered that I needed only one. Stephanie became Michael B wonder what would be a Harry Potter reference. Stephanie Weyrauch (07:30): So I mean, Elvis stumbled or of course not Baltimore. Baltimore does not. Definitely not. No way. Don't compare me to Baltimore compared me to the more. I think that that's another thing about mentorship that can be challenging is the time commitment. And you're right, you can have multiple mentors that you know, don't really need, that you don't really need to spend a lot of time with. But again, if that mentor is really into facilitating your growth, they're going to be, it's going to be okay that they're going to invest time. And you know, it may not be like a one hour weekly phone call when you see them. Like they're going to want to spend two hours. You can just catch up and see how you're doing. Or they'll text you or email you back and forth. And those are the men. Those are the relationships that are built on, that are built on exactly what you said, relationship. It's not just built on a normal face to face. I mean somebody that you barely know, this is something that you've cultivated, watered, and now the seeds are growing in the beautiful tree is starting to really fester to help kind of bring about that relationship that's needed to have that effective mentor help you. Jenna Kantor (08:57): I'm realizing we're making an assumption here. So let's answer the question. Why is it good? Why is it beneficial to have? Stephanie Weyrauch (09:04): I think that the benefit for it is because it helps you prep, it prevents you from making mistakes that most people make. And when I think one of the best things about having a mentor, you grow and become better, faster than maybe somebody who had to figure out along the way. Granted there's been multiple people along in the history of time who've been able to figure out their own way, but potentially they could have burned some bridges along the way. They could have had some set backs, they may have missed opportunity. And if there's one thing we know about advocacy, it's all about opportunity. And it's all about presenting your argument in the right way, at the right time for the right things that are going on. And so understanding that and understanding that, especially in today's very polarized political environment, making sure that you are approaching these issues in a way that is proper and in a way that's going to be effective. Because ultimately when you're advocating, you're advocating for your patients, you might be advocating a little bit through your profession, but in general, when you advocate, you make sure that people are getting great care. And right now our healthcare policy is very polarizing. There's lots of different opinions about it. And if you are with the right person and they're guiding you the right way, you're going to go about it in a way that's not going to be as potentially detrimental to the message that you want to send. Jenna Kantor (10:45): Yeah. And you're hitting on lots of great. Just like anything, any relationship that relationships, and I'm going to sum it up with a word. You could get blacklist, you can't, it's not like there's a horrible place. Nobody that made no, ain't nobody got time for that. But if you're a person who's constantly coming out like a douche, you're not going to want to know you. Just like you make me feel like crap. That's a thing. So to get, and it's even if you think you are doing something, you never really realize. If you might be cutting down on someone who was put in a lot of hard work, a lot of hard work for zero reimbursement for the profession and that has to be considered even if you completely disagree with it. Stephanie Weyrauch (11:40): Right. Well and advocacy takes a long time too. I mean, it's not something that you can go to one meeting and all of a sudden now you have a law passed. I mean it takes 10 it can take up to 20 years as we saw with the Medicare therapy cap to have something actually happen. And that's like a long history of that's like a, Oh that's a history in itself. 20 years. I mean I'm only 30 years old. That means that when I was 10 stuff was going on that I don't even wouldn't even know about. And if I don't have that historical knowledge and that historical information, how can I be an effective advocate? So by having a mentor who knows that history and can help guide you along some of those talking points that you have, because either you don't know the history, you're too young to know the history or you just aren't as familiar with the talking points themselves. You have that person there can give you that. And then when you go to advocate, you have that much more credibility. If there's anything that is really important in advocacy, it's first off, it's credibility and second off it's relationships. What type of relationship have you built with that person? Because if you're a credible person and you have a relationship with them, the chances of them actually listening to you when that app comes, who's a lot better than you're just random person that has no credibility, right? Jenna Kantor (13:09): Does natural delight is the things that I personally want to change just for voices, lesser known voices too. That's my own little personal agenda is the important part of this podcast. Very important part. Very, important part of advocacy. Advocate for lameness. So after answering, why do you have to, is it a must in order to achieve what you want within the physical therapy profession? Advocacy wise? Stephanie Weyrauch (13:50): I mean I would say yes because I don't know how many of our listeners are experts in healthcare policy, but my guess is that there's not a ton that are experts in health care policy and if you are an expert in health policy, my guess is that you've had a lot of mentorship along the way. I know for me, I mean healthcare policy changes daily and for me, how I have learned has been from being by people who I would consider our healthcare policy experts in addition to them giving me resources that I can use so that I myself can become a health care policy, not to mention really keep emotion out of politics and that is path of what advocacy is, is trying to present a logical argument that isn't based off of emotion, was based off of somebody else's emotion. That's going to further the policy agenda that you're trying to advocate for. And I think one of the hardest parts about advocacy, personal emotion out of the picture. Stephanie Weyrauch (15:10): You're there to advocate for your patients. You're not there to advocate for yourself in the end. It doesn't really matter what you believe, it matters what is needed for your patients. And so having just a mentor there to guide you through some of those, that emotional roller coaster of politics and emotion, individual politics with societal politics I think is an essential part of being an effective healthcare advocate. Additionally, there's so much information and having somebody there to help you kind of focus that information and help you figure out what you need to learn and what you can focus on is also really important. I would say yes. Having a mentor is extremely important. Jenna Kantor (16:02): I love that and on that note person who has been on this podcast now for this is four times. How can people find you if they haven't listened to you? Stephanie Weyrauch (16:20): So you can find me on Twitter. My Twitter handle is @TheSteph21 I'm on Facebook and Instagram. You can find me there or if you want to email me, you can email me sweyrauchpt@gmail.com but I would say the best way to reach out to me is probably Twitter. Jenna Kantor (16:48): Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet. Well, thank you so much Stephanie, for coming on. It's a joy to share your expertise, to share you with others. Even though I want to claim you all. Stephanie Weyrauch (17:04): Thank you for the wonderful opportunity to come on. I'm healthy, wealthy, and smart. Well, once again, and of course it's always great to chat with you about something that I really love. Advocacy. Jenna Kantor (17:16): Heck yeah, me too.   Thanks for listening and subscribing to the podcast! Make sure to connect with me on twitter, instagram  and facebook to stay updated on all of the latest!  Show your support for the show by leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!