Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Shoope.
Hi Alexis, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
When I started physical therapy school back in 2015, I always knew I wouldn’t be in the traditional setting for my entire career. I didn’t know what it would look like, I just always had the conviction that it would be different. When I graduated, I went onto complete an orthopedic residency here in Houston and completed that in the fall of 2019. I stepped into a new job and was very excited for what was ahead.
Every year, I pray over a word for the year. In 2020, I felt like I heard the word “dream”. Little did I know that in a few short months, COVID would affect the world and I would be given more time than I usually had. As I reflected on that word and continued to pray into it over that year, things started to change. During that time, I started to really identify what my dream job would look like. I wanted to be able to work for myself, work with people one on one without the barriers of insurance, and have a hybrid model of in person physical therapy while also working with people virtually.
The pieces started coming together and my husband and I opened PIONE3R Physical Therapy & Wellness LLC at the end of 2020. In February of 2021, I announced it on my Instagram (@dr.alexis.shoope) and I started working on the virtual side of things. I was still working full time and didn’t know where this would take me, but I wanted to start somewhere! I began doing virtual sessions and custom programs for strength or returning to running or for mobility and more. That year was full of working more hours than I ever wanted while working both jobs, but it was also full with more blessings than I could count. In the meantime, my husband and I were on a mission to pay off all my student loans as fast as possible. In May 2021, we became debt free! The financial freedom that came from this was more than we could have ever imagined. It opened up more space to dream and less doubt when we no longer had that holding us back! It truly was a blessing.
Flash forward to February 2022, I left my corporate job and began to fully pursue my dream of working with people from all over through the virtual side of my business, to working one on one in a small private gym space with people here in Houston! I love that God has led me here. I love that He invited me to dream and to truly create something that I love. I wouldn’t be here without His guidance, my husband’s constant support and hard work behind the scenes, and so many friends and family coming behind me through it all!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Whenever you own your own business, there will always be bumps along the way. It was difficult juggling both jobs for a year that lead to many days of 12 hours of work, little rest on weekends, and frustrations that lead to tears. At the same time, it has pushed my faith to a different level. Now that I don’t receive a set paycheck every two weeks, I have to really rely on God and trust in His provision. It has really challenged me to be mindful of what I pray for and who I pray that He would bring my way!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a board certified orthopedic physical therapist as well as a certified strength and conditioning specialist. I have a passion for working with active adults who have a desire to move their bodies! I love working with runners and weight lifters. I am currently completing a certification for further working with pregnant and postpartum women. I also love working with people who don’t currently have pain. Maybe they did in the past or maybe they just want to work on things preventatively! I value that in myself, so I love to work with those people too!
I believe one of the things that sets me apart is my residency training. Only about 9% of physical therapists are residency trained and that additional training really takes out thinking and problem solving to another level. Additionally, my practice is all one on one! You will never be booked with someone else or tossed to a new provider every visit. You will always work one on one with me and have the ability to communicate with me in between sessions as needed! My goal is to help people get out of pain and back to the things they love without relying on pain medications, injections or surgery!
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I think the biggest thing is that you have to value your health. We never know how much time we have on this earth and taking care of yourself and making time for yourself is such an important piece of it all. Many people feel guilty when they put themselves first, but it is truly the only way you can be the best version of yourself for your spouse, family, coworkers or friends! There is no better time to start than now!
Contact Info:
- Email: dr.alexisshoope@gmail.com
- Website: www.pione3rpt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.alexis.shoope/
Image Credits
Diana Hernandez
