A Positive Perspective To Help The Stressed Or Depressed Student

Two Knowbodies Talking

“A Positive Perspective To Help The Stressed Or Depressed Student”

A big thanks goes out to Dr. Ryan Smith for joining the Knowbodies once again to deliver a powerful message to the PT and college student community. With research officially listing PT and other healthcare professions as occupations topping the list for burnout, its no surprise that some of the younger, less experienced members of these communities feel the stress early on. Will, Eric, and Nick were so fortunate to sit down with Ryan as he shared his personal experience with depression and how it impacted his professional and emotional well-being. Special recognition goes to Cruz Romero, SPT for his recent publication in The Pulse: “My Biggest Challenge in Physical Therapy School? Imposter Syndrome”. Cruz’s writing really hits home with a lot of students pushing through difficult programs, and is a great read for anyone looking to gain insight and direction to overcome some of the common struggles that may accompany PT school.

Ryan’s biography taken from his website: uMove Physiotherapy & Performance

Ryan graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a bachelors degree in Athletic Training in 2013 and graduated from Ohio State University with a doctoral degree in physical therapy in 2016.

“My career being involved in rehabilitation and wellness began when I was an athletic trainer as an undergraduate. Even then I developed a niche for being the “rehab guy.” Even when I look back on those times and realize how little I knew I had an ability to connect with those athletes. It wasn’t because of a superior set of skills or vast knowledge but it was because I understood what a recovery from in an injury during an athlete’s season meant to them and I simply found ways to help them.

Fast forward a few years and that same mindset has carried over into how I practice as a physical therapist. My expectations that I thought my internships would be versus what reality gave me were vastly different. For that reason I decided to go out on my own so I could get back to treating the patient in front of me and get involved directly within the community.

That decision has led me to be involved with both a Crossfit Gym and a Strength and Conditioning gym. I now have the ability to not only work with individuals on a daily basis in an environment that they love but I get to work on community issues that I have a passion for. Youth athletes and the increasing injuries that seem to be occurring in them and general population health in which Crossfit is tackling with movement, nutrition and recovery.

If you have ever been interested in joining, starting or learning about a cash based PT practice, then check out our first interview with Dr. Ryan Smith as he breaks down his story, going right into the cash PT market right out of school!

This leads me to now. I’m a small business owner. An entrepreneur. An athletic trainer. A doctor of physical therapy.

I deeply value and understand that it is the entire person in front of me that I have to consider. It’s never just a pain, just a knee, just a shoulder. It’s what that means as a whole.

Thus through continuing education, mentors and most importantly the experiences that my patients give provide me is what keeps me engaged in a constant learning process to better myself. This way when it comes down to it I deliver reassurance, help and a plan that leads to a continuation in training, recovery from injury and a return to activity without hesitation or pain.”

Show Notes:

• We catch up with Ryan, and discuss his background with depression and how it came about
• We explore the implications of depression on school work, social life and motivation
• We identify the process that Ryan experienced that helped him evolve and grow with the challenges he faces
• We address the stigma’s and social perception of depression and how to talk to someone who may be experiencing these emotions
• We outline the actionable steps that allow us to embrace the inevitable wave of emotions that occur in life

Follow Ryan on social media at the following places!

• Twitter: @RyanSmith_DPT
• Facebook: @uMovePhysio
• Instagram: @uMovePhysio