Tell us a little about yourself. What city do you live in, and what do you like to do for fun?
I spent much of my young life in the northeast part of the U.S. I was born and raised in New York state by my parents who are both of Nigerian descent. From New York, I moved to Boston, where I obtained my education in physical therapy at Boston University. Right now, I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, and I love it. For fun, I enjoy traveling and living abroad. I've actually lived in Bulgaria, and more recently, Vietnam, each for two-year stints. It was wonderful living and working in both countries and experiencing the life and cultures of each.
That's fantastic! Did you work in physical therapy in Bulgaria or Vietnam?
Yes, I practiced in both countries. When I lived in Bulgaria, I treated patients privately through referrals from the U.S. Embassy as well as one of the popular international schools. In Vietnam, I had the privilege of working in one of the principal international clinics.
Nice! So, what inspired you to become a physical therapist in the first place?
Growing up, I had always participated in athletics. I played quite a bit of soccer in high school. Unfortunately, it was during that time that I injured a hamstring. However, as I was going through rehabilitation, I had some in-depth conversations with one of the athletic trainers. I was curious about his work, and after learning more from him, it sparked my interest in the physical therapy field. Since I enjoyed sports and helping people, it seemed like a good fit.
What do you find most rewarding as a PT?
Without a doubt, it's helping people get back to doing what they love. I find it very rewarding to see my patients get well and the positive results of our hard work and efforts.
What do you find most challenging in the physical therapy field, and how do you overcome it?
It's challenging when a treatment doesn't work out as anticipated. On the rare occasion that this happens to me, I'll rewind, regroup, and try to figure out why. I'll ask the patient more detailed questions, bounce ideas off of colleagues, and try out new methodologies until we find something that works. Each patient can have a different response to treatments, so I don't like to give up. I like finding solutions that work.
What advice do you have for other physical therapists who might be struggling in their field?
Take a break! Burnout is widespread amongst physical therapists. I would recommend taking the time to really listen to your body and take better care of yourself. If you don't take good care of yourself, then how will you take good care of others? And if your current work setting isn't conducive to that, it might be time to try something new -- like Luna.
Good point! So how did you discover Luna?
At first, I had noticed a few online ads about Luna. But around that same time, a good friend (who is also a physical therapist) told me about it. She spoke very highly of Luna and how well it was working out for her. I found everything she told me pretty compelling. She kept encouraging me to sign up, so I did!
How does working with Luna enable you to do your work and live your life?
I'm very excited and intrigued about working with Luna. I feel fortunate because my current full-time job is one that allows me the time and mental capacity to work with Luna too. I'm also looking forward to making some extra money to help fund my future international travels.
