My mom experienced a significant knee injury, tearing her ACL. Watching her recovery process was a pivotal moment for me. She underwent physical therapy, and the impact was remarkable. Her therapists helped her regain strength and mobility, guiding her back to a more active life despite the setbacks from her injury. This experience introduced me to the world of physical therapy, sparking my interest in a career where I could become a “movement doctor,” an expert who empowers patients to live better lives through exercise and movement.

I committed to this path and used every opportunity to build a foundation that would eventually inform my practice as a physical therapist. I earned my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Drexel University, which deepened my knowledge and clinical skills. Alongside my formal education, I immersed myself in bodybuilding, judo, and calisthenics, gaining unique insights into body mechanics, injury management, and physical resilience. Bodybuilding taught me about progressive overload, different types of muscle contractions, goal setting, hypertrophy, and the importance of muscular control and balance. Judo highlighted the roles of functional movement and motor control, essential for injury prevention. Calisthenics provided an understanding of tendon strengthening, “prehab,” and the importance of recovery and periodization of training. Through these pursuits, I gained real lived experience that complemented the subjects I studied in school.

Today, I strive to bring a holistic, individualized approach to my practice. Whether helping an orthopedic patient recover from surgery or assisting an athlete in returning to peak performance, I prioritize understanding each person’s unique needs, goals, and movement patterns. My mission as a physical therapist is to help others experience the transformative benefits of movement and exercise, support them in their journeys, and empower them to live their best lives.