Who am I?
A Journey of Passion
My path to becoming a physical therapist has been anything but linear—but every chapter has shaped the clinician and person I am today.
​
I was born and raised in a small town in South Louisiana, surrounded by a big, close-knit family. As a kid, I loved being in the woods—blazing new trails and exploring the unfamiliar. After high school, I began my first career as a professional firefighter with the Lafayette Fire Department. Five years and three kids later, I made a leap into the golf world, pursuing a career as a golf professional. I spent two years in the industry, competing in professional tournaments as a member of the PGA Gulf States Section and learning invaluable lessons about people, business, and performance.
​
Eventually, I returned to firefighting while also beginning my academic journey at the University of Louisiana. For four and a half years, I balanced full-time shifts at the firehouse with full-time studies, ultimately earning my Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. I was then accepted into the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the University of St. Augustine in Austin, TX.
​
While in graduate school, I was honored to receive the 2016 Federal Advocacy Forum Scholarship, which allowed me to represent Texas in Washington, D.C., advocating for the physical therapy profession. I met with congressional representatives on key legislative issues, including the repeal of the Medicare therapy cap. At graduation, I was humbled to receive the Most Outstanding Physical Therapy Student Award, chosen by the faculty and staff.
​
My clinical career began in an outpatient private practice in Lakeway, Texas—an area with a large population of golfers. Over 75% of my caseload involved treating golf-related injuries, and I soon saw the need for a specialized program. I launched the Golf Performance Academy by Body Balance, focusing on injury prevention and performance optimization rooted in understanding the physical limitations behind each golfer’s swing. Around the same time, I earned my Manual Therapy Certification (MTC) from the University of St. Augustine.
​
After a successful year and a half in private practice, I transitioned to a position in a large corporation to expand my experience. One year later, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. I was one of the few employees retained by my company and the only therapist in our region who volunteered to provide in-home, hands-on care to patients who wouldn’t benefit from tele-health services exclusively. For this, and other accomplishments during this time, I was honored with the national “Above & Beyond Award.” Shortly after, I was promoted to Clinic Director and tasked with opening a brand-new location in South Austin. This clinic went on to become the most successful new clinic launch in the company’s 23-year history. My time there revealed many of the strengths—and many of the shortcomings—of our current healthcare system, and inspired the creation of BB Physiotherapy & Wellness.​​
​
During the first several years of my physical therapy career, I also worked weekends as an evaluating therapist at two inpatient rehabilitation facilities around Austin, occasionally traveling across Texas to cover weekend shifts in understaffed areas. These experiences had a profound impact on me. I saw too many cases where a lack of proactive care led to life-changing, and often preventable, outcomes. It cemented my commitment to whole-person wellness and prevention.
​
In May 2022, I began my second doctoral degree—this time a Doctor of Science (ScD) in Physical Therapy at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. My studies included both the teaching and research track courses, and my dissertation explores the concept of the “clinical bravery trait” and its adoption within the physical therapy profession.
​
Alongside my clinical work, I’ve also been a part of the academic world. Since 2017, I’ve served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences and transitioned to a full-time faculty role in 2023. I currently serve as Course Director for Clinical Reasoning and Communication and Teaching & Learning—leading faculty teams across five campuses and eight programs. My research focuses on the therapeutic alliance and the psychodynamic components of physical therapy care. I also support our student community as faculty liaison for the Student Physical Therapy Association (SPTA) and the Business, Entrepreneur, and Private Practice (BEPP) special interest group.
​
I currently live in South Austin, close to my family. My two most prized possessions are my camper van (which I built myself) and my membership to Onion Creek Golf Club. I spend my free time at local coffee shops and breweries, running daily, and reading outdoors. Backcountry camping is one of my greatest passions, and I try to get out on solo treks a few times a year. Every nature photo on this website was taken on one of those trips. I also still love to climb trees—something I hope to never outgrow.
