Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacey Leach.
Hi Stacey, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Becoming a physical therapist was always a vision of mine. I was fascinated by the human body and how it worked, and I knew that I wanted to help people improve their physical health and well-being. After completing my undergraduate degree in biology, I went on to earn my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
I started my career working in a clinical setting, seeing clients with a wide range of neurological conditions. I was passionate about providing the best care possible to each person, but over time, I began to feel the negative effects of the changing healthcare environment. The pressure to see more clients, bill more, and turn people out the door faster was taking a toll on my well-being and my ability to provide the level of care that my patients deserved.
When COVID hit, I was furloughed during my maternity leave. During that time, I realized that I couldn’t return to the same environment I had left. I didn’t know what my next step would be, but I knew that I wanted to continue using my physical therapy skills to help people.
One day, former clients began reaching out to me, desperate for my help. As I searched for ways to assist them, I discovered the world of solopreneur physical therapy. Remembering my past aspiration of owning my clinic, I decided to leap.
In January 2021, I opened Empower You Physical Therapy and Wellness. The name “Empower You” reflects my commitment to being a part of someone’s journey, working with them to achieve their goals and improve their health. I get to be on their care team, working for and with them, not for a third party like an insurer. It’s been a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey.
I have primarily focused on treating women who suffer from pain and headaches. My goal is to help them avoid missing out on important social events, their children’s activities, and workdays. As a business owner, a mother of active kids, and a skilled physical therapist, I understand the challenges that women face. I take great pleasure in supporting and guiding them AND anyone towards pain relief and a better quality of life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While very rewarding it has been very challenging. I have had to learn how to be a business owner. Every day I’m wearing multiple hats: a PT, a marketing specialist, an accountant/bookkeeper, a financial officer, a salesman, an IT guru, etc. While it takes a lot of time I’m proud of myself for having to learn each aspect of the business. Spending hours on a call with Google and my website host to learn that accidentally changing 1 character can shut off email which majorly impacted day-to-day functions, gives me new respect for all the small pieces that go into any business. The largest hurdle I face and continue to face is finding new patients to serve.
In a traditional setting, you have a physician who tells patients to go see PT and they send a referral over. At the time, it would be frustrating as most of my patients never knew why they were coming to see me other than “the doctor told me to.” I can appreciate now how EASY and large of an audience I had then. Now, it’s up to me to find clients to fill my schedule. I have to put the word out, I have to be in front of people and network. It felt ingenue to sell my services. However, with business coaching, I’m learning that I’m not a salesperson, I’m a skilled, compassionate healthcare provider who has a solution to a lot of women’s problems. People are hurting and they don’t know where to turn. I’m learning to rise to the challenge of how to educate women that their pain is not normal and I have a solution.
At the end of the day I’m proud of myself, I did it! No matter how large or small, successful or unsuccessful in someone’s eye I may be. I did it.
As you know, we’re big fans of Empower You Physical Therapy and Wellness. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Empower You Physical Therapy and Wellness is a unique practice that specializes in helping women with pain and headaches. As the owner and physical therapist, Dr. Stacey Leach understands the frustration and challenges that come with living in pain. That’s why she takes the time to listen to your story and build a mutual relationship with you before starting physical therapy.
This allows her to create a personalized care plan that addresses your unique needs and gets you back on track for optimal health. Unlike other health practitioners, Stacey believes in the power of physical therapy and hands-on care, education, and empowerment to help you overcome your pain. If you’re looking for an alternative solution to just pharmaceuticals, Empower You Physical Therapy and Wellness is here to help you on your journey to a better you.
Unlike traditional physical therapy, we can see clients both in their home or the clinic. We offer mobile visits where we bring the clinic to you. This has been very welcomed by clients working from home, rushing between kids’ activities, or those who just want a more private and convenient experience.
We provide 1 on 1 in-person treatment as well as being available for questions and concerns in between sessions. As an out-of-networker provider, we work for you and your goals. There are no checkboxes for some system algorithms, visit limits, or treatment restrictions. If today you need grace, a hug, and someone to sit down with you to listen and brainstorm how to implement lifestyle changes then our practice is right for you.
We look holistically at the body beyond muscles, joints, and tendons but how are you using, abusing, and neglecting your body. We help you see the complete picture by flipping each puzzle piece over and working to put it back together.
Once clients are succeeding and no longer need our skilled care but want our continued services we offer a wellness program to help sustain you. It’s not just goodbye, nice working with you. A lot of clients find a new life with pain managed and don’t want to step back. We decided to be different and offer our services in a continued wellness spectrum. Life is fluid and so is your health. If you are in a season of extra stress and that is showing in muscle tension, we can provide assisted stretching. If that naggy muscle in your head is a little frustrated that you spent hours scrolling your phone looking for black Friday deals, we can do some dry needling maybe red light therapy to reset those muscles. Have you outgrown that exercise program you had during skilled care and are ready for a more general strength program? We can do that too.
We can think outside the box, an initial injury doesn’t need to be all you see a physical therapist for. We have a lot of clients that have lived in pain for so long. If they find a few things in our skilled treatment care plan that help them the most, why after PT graduation day can they not continue and use the service to keep things managed? That is how we are different.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
LISTENING, providing time and space to tell their health story. Building relationships. Most of my clients, I end up seeing their children, spouses, neighbors, aunts, coworkers, etc.
- Alternative solutions to traditional healthcare and pharmaceuticals
- Connection
- Chronic pain means being there for the long haul
- Thinking outside the box
- Continual learning
Contact Info:
- Website: https://empowerptmn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerptmn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerPTMN
