06/10/2026
Slow motion is better than no motion. 🐢✨
Back in 2005, I was (18 years old) finishing up my massage therapy certification at the Desert Institute of Healing Arts in Tucson, Arizona. Through my program, I was accepted into a unique opportunity at a local inpatient rehab facility called HealthSouth for hospital based massage therapy.
That was my very first exposure to working in a subacute facility with patients recovering from traumatic accidents, severe injuries, and complex neurological conditions. As a massage therapist there, I worked directly under the Occupational Therapy department. It was right there in the therapy gym, observing the OTs at work, where the spark was lit. I realized: that is exactly what I want to do.
I was fascinated by their ability to restore deficits and rebuild lives after traumatic brain injuries, strokes, and major accidents. I knew that one day, I wanted to do that, too. It took over 20 years of dedication, sacrifice, and relentless focus to finally get where I am today.
The road wasn't easy:
I started college and had two beautiful children while earning my Associate of Science. My family and I relocated to Wisconsin where I completed my Bachelor’s degree. I spent a full year applying to graduate schools before finally receiving that life-changing acceptance letter.
For nearly three years, I commuted back and forth from Wi to New York for graduate school, living there 10 to 15 days out of every month. During that time in NY, I lived with my incredibly supportive aunt and uncle for a semester, then moved in with roommates who were a year ahead of me in the same program (some of my absolute favorite ladies, whom I am forever grateful for!), before finally getting my own studio apartment.
My kids and my family were my biggest rock. They were endlessly supportive. Even though I was traveling constantly, we turned a challenging situation into something fun and meaningful, creating beautiful memories along the way. I always knew I wanted my own practice eventually, but I never imagined it would happen this quickly.
The current landscape of healthcare policy opened a door, making it the perfect time to cut ties with corporate medicine. It allowed me to step out on my own and build a practice focused entirely on what matters most: actually, positively changing the lives of the people we work with.
So, here I am. Moving forward with my dream, and sharing this to remind you that dreams do come true. I used to tell myself daily: "Slow motion is better than no motion." Even at a turtle's pace, step by step, I made it. And if I can do it, then YOU can do ANYTHING.
I want to leave you with one of my favorite quotes from Anthony Bourdain, which perfectly sums up this 20-year chapter:
“The journey changes you. It should change you. It leaves a mark on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind."
Thank you all for being part of my journey. I can't wait to leave something good behind right here in our community.
💙
