Getting Personal: Why I Do What I Do as a Physical Therapist (Part 3)
- Kelsey Changsing
- Jul 31
- 2 min read
Question 3.
Being both a physical therapist and an athlete yourself, do you think that changes how you show up for your patients?
Definitely. I think being both a physical therapist and an athlete really helps me connect with my patients, especially those who are active or want to return to a higher level of performance. I understand where they’re coming from, because I’ve been there myself.
Fortunately, I’ve never had to go through anything major like surgery, but I’ve definitely experienced what it’s like to be dismissed or misunderstood by healthcare professionals, especially when it comes to something controversial like CrossFit. I know how frustrating it is to reach out for help on getting back to doing what you love, only to be told to just stop doing it.
That experience really shapes how I approach care. And it’s not just CrossFitters. I’ve had patients who want to get back to MMA, soccer, or even something like ice hockey. One of my most memorable patients was a 78- year-old who wanted to return to playing hockey. I think a lot of providers—especially if they don’t have that athletic background—might have told him he was too old, or that it wasn’t worth the risk. But I could see in his face how important it was to him. And I got it. Because I felt the same way when someone told me to stop doing CrossFit because of their own personal bias.
So yeah, I think being both an athlete and a PT gives me an edge in understanding the physical side of recovery while being able to advocate for my patients. I meet them where they are, and help them find a path forward that keeps their goals at the center.
