meet shannon, DPT Student- Nebraska

 I am passionate about the role and impact of strength training (or variations of it!) for all athletes and individuals, and I believe that personalized strength training plans are pivotal for success on and off of the field.

Why did you decide to enter the field of Physical Therapy?

I first found out about physical therapy when I had some shoulder pain while swimming in high school. I thought it was so cool that physical therapists were able to combine their knowledge about anatomy and science with sports performance principles to determine why I was having pain and how to get better while still being able to swim. I loved science and sports (and still do!) so it seemed like the perfect way to integrate the two. As I explored more about physical therapy, I also loved the idea of getting to work in an area of healthcare where I could really get to know my patients and individualize their care so that they can get back to doing what they love and manage their health confidently and independently.

What is your background?

I am a third year doctorate of physical therapy student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. I graduated from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln with a bachelor of science degree in dietetics. With this background from undergrad, I am very passionate in nutrition and its role in health and physical performance. I grew up playing every sport you could imagine, but specialized in swimming once in high school. I transitioned to running during college, and then to weightlifting once in PT school. I really enjoy challenging myself to get stronger and creating programs specific to my goals. Outside of physical therapy, I really love hiking, backpacking, reading, and baking cakes!

What is your specialty/niche when it comes to being a future physical therapist?

My niche involves using strength training and nutrition to help patients feel strong, confident, and capable. I am passionate about the role and impact of strength training (or variations of it!) for all athletes and individuals, and I believe that personalized strength training plans are pivotal for success on and off of the field. I hope to also incorporate nutrition substantially into my practice as a physical therapist because of its significant effect on health, performance, and overall quality of life. My goal is to work with youth and young adult athletes to rehab injuries and educate them about strengthening and nutrition principles so that they develop healthy relationships with movement and food, and feel empowered to make good decisions about their health as they age.

What are you most looking forward to joining the Rehab 2 Perform team?

I am most looking forward to refining my implementation of the rehab principles that Rehab 2 Perform teaches in their Blueprints course. This was such a valuable learning experience for me, and I can’t wait to keep building on my clinical decision-making skills in an area of physical therapy that combines both rehab and performance. I also am very excited to learn from some of the best in the field!

What are your plans on trying to engage and connect with the community?

I love sharing content from others on my Instagram page and have been wanting to start an account that is specific to physical therapy and nutrition, so I’m starting that up and using it to create dialogue with other clinicians, stay current with new information coming out, and sharing my own thoughts and experiences!