PT Path

Authentic stories from physical therapists navigating challenges, making pivotal decisions, and discovering their purpose. Whether you're a student, recent graduate, or considering a career change, these conversations will inspire you to explore possibilities within our PT community. Join us as we explore the diverse paths of physical therapy – one story at a time.

PT Path is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 17 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts PT Path, a business show with 17 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #5

  Laura Keyser: A Career in Capacity-Building

  Aug 12, 202637 minS2

  A fascination with movement first drew UCSF/SFSU Graduate Program in Physical Therapy Alum Laura Keyser, DPT, MPH, from the ballet studio to physical therapy. Her career has since taken her from building rehabilitation programs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to earning an MPH at Johns Hopkins, advancing women’s health, conducting research, and developing a device to address pelvic health challenges in women. In this episode of PT Path , Laura talks with Amber Fitzsimmons about the unexpected opportunities that shaped her career and the thread connecting it all: capacity building. She reflects on how physical therapists can use their skills as problem solvers to improve care not only for individual patients, but for communities and populations. Laura also shares what she has learned about mentorship, taking risks, finding a seat at the table, and building a career that doesn’t necessarily follow a traditional PT path. 00:00 Welcome to PT Path 01:06 Finding physical therapy 02:29 Dance and movement 03:16 Global health in Congo 05:59 Building rehab systems 07:35 Women’s health mentorship 10:44 Back to the US and MPH 13:00 Research for advocacy 16:18 Consulting and new tech 20:43 Startup life and Axena Health 26:55 Policy and leadership 33:41 Capacity building thread 35:26 Advice and closing

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  Episode #3

  Jonathan Ide-Don: Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Exploration

  Jun 22, 202651 minS2

  When Jonathan Ide-Don was a student in the UCSF/SFSU Graduate Program in Physical Therapy, he had a singular goal: to become the best orthopedic and sports physical therapist he could be. After graduating, he completed the Kaiser Hayward mentorship and fellowship programs, gaining intensive clinical training and mentorship early in his career. He then practiced at CPMC while also becoming involved in the CrossFit community as a coach. What began as a side interest evolved into a broader exploration of entrepreneurship, movement, and innovative models of care. Jonathan eventually co-owned a cash-based physical therapy practice before making a major career pivot into digital health. He first joined Hinge Health during its early growth years and now works at MedBridge, where he helps develop and implement technology solutions for rehabilitation professionals. In this episode, Jonathan reflects on the value of exploring new opportunities and testing different paths, and the many possibilities available to physical therapists beyond traditional clinical practice. While he loves his current work in digital health, he also shares why he still misses aspects of coaching and the connections that come from helping people move and perform better. Jonathan discusses the growing role of physical therapists in the technology sector and shares his perspective on how AI may reshape physical therapy.

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  Episode #2

  Beth Popolizio: Forging a New Path in Neuro PT

  Apr 22, 202656 minS2

  Beth Popolizio: Forging a New Path in Neuro PT Amber Fitzsimmons interviews Beth Popolizio, a 2014 program graduate, about her path into physical therapy and entrepreneurship. After starting her career in hospitality, Beth sought a more meaningful, expertise-driven profession and entered PT school. She went on to complete a PNF residency at Kaiser Vallejo, which she credits with strengthening her clinical reasoning and shaping her approach to care. Throughout her career, Beth explored multiple settings, including acute rehab, neuro, and home care, before launching NeuroRenew, a professional corporation focused on interdisciplinary communication, biopsychosocial support, and care consulting. The conversation highlights her interest in creating broader “macro” impact, her iterative private-pay business model, and the financial and emotional realities of building a new kind of neuro care practice. Beth speaks candidly about career detours, scaling a mission-driven business, and the value of flexibility, community, and creative problem-solving in professional growth. 01:38 Finding physical therapy 03:40 Neuro focus in school 04:32 PNF residency explained 06:53 Breaking the new grad barrier 09:43 Community and career detours 12:13 Dream job but restless 18:41 Therapeutic home care business 24:15 Diversification versus burnout 25:48 Launching neuro renew 27:38 Building a scalable model 28:23 Team-based neuro care 29:21 Interdisciplinary collaboration 30:42 Beyond the billing model 34:03 Funding and financial reality 38:03 Charging for value 42:03 Packaging services 46:19 Building a care community 50:11 Entrepreneurship takeaways 53:37 Advice for DPT students 55:48 Closing reflections

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  Episode #1

  Emily Gee: A Dream Career with Performing Artists

  Mar 20, 202656 minS2

  Welcome to Season 2 of PT Path! In this episode, host Amber Fitzsimmons speaks with alum Emily Gee about her journey from cellist to physical therapist to Assistant Professor and Director of Musician Wellness at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Emily shares how her own rehab experience shaped her passion for helping performing artists, and how she now blends education, injury prevention, mental health, and wellness support for musicians in a truly unique academic role. Her story demonstrates how sometimes the most rewarding opportunities are the ones you never expected. 00:00 Welcome to PT Path 00:35 Meet Emily Gee 01:46 From cello to rehab 03:25 Choosing the cello 04:20 Recovery and playing again 05:24 Path to CU Boulder 11:18 Clinician to academia leap 14:30 Imposter syndrome 20:31 Director role explained 25:49 Stress and autonomy shift 28:52 Dreaming your next move 30:47 Support systems and risk 31:35 Transferable PT skills 34:35 Who are performing artists 36:27 Identity pressure and perfection 38:10 Mental health and curriculum 39:49 Wellness class 42:33 PTs in prevention roles 44:15 APTA service and advocacy 46:23 House of Delegates explained 48:28 Program growth and research 50:37 Marching band and injury prevention 53:15 Advice for DPT students 55:17 Closing reflections

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  Episode #11

  Benjamin Boyd: Pain Science and Career Pivots

  Dec 10, 202552 minS1

  Benjamin Boyd has always been fascinated by how the human body works, the interplay of muscles, movement and skeletal structure. With a father who was a pediatric physiatrist, he was exposed to health care early on. After a foray into environmental studies, he eventually discovered physical therapy, where he became especially captivated by the nature of pain and its deep connection to the human experience. In a bold career pivot, Ben stepped away from his faculty role at Samuel Merritt University to write Bodily Relearning , a book designed to help clinicians better support patients living with persistent pain. The book was met with enthusiasm, and he is currently working on a second book written directly for patients. In the new year, he will return to academia as a professor at Samuel Merritt University, bringing his experiences in research, writing and clinical practice full circle. His career reflects a constant thread: a passion for helping others learn, grow, and rethink what is possible in rehabilitation and pain care. 00:00 Introduction to PT Path 00:30 Meet Benjamin Boyd: From Environmental Studies to Physical Therapy 01:55 Early Exposure to Physical Therapy 03:01 Gaining Experience Before PT School 04:48 Research Focus: Peripheral Nerve Sensitivity in Diabetes 06:53 The Journey into Academia and Research 10:11 Balancing Clinical Work and Academia 11:30 Writing 'Bodily Relearning': Challenges and Triumphs 13:40 The Impact of Pain Science and Education 45:04 Future Plans and Returning to Academia 50:33 Final Thoughts and Advice

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