Ashley: I know working out is a priority for you, has it always been?
Josh: I have always been into lifting weights; however, the past couple of years I have focused more on cardio and particularly what I was putting into my body. I started to eat more high protein foods and limit my carbohydrate and fat intake, and the results started to show. I drank tons of water and got plenty of rest, which is the key in my opinion. A: All of us that work here love to eat and it seems like we often talk about food! Do you like to cook? J: I enjoy grilling food such as steaks, burgers, and long smokes for pork such as pork ribs and pork shoulders. I would say I am more of a griller than a cook! A: Why did you choose Physical Therapy as a career? J: I was born with a condition in my right hip that limited blood supply to the joint, thereby resulting in pain and weakness and eventually arthritis. I was required to wear an abduction brace and attend physical therapy on a regular basis when I was eight years old. I gained a great appreciation for physical therapy at an early age, and that is why I chose it as my career. A: That explains why you are so patient with people here who are going through similar situations. I know you are a golfer, right? Did your hip issues affect you choosing golf as a sport? J: Yes, I started playing golf at the age of 6, but I didn't really have a serious interest until I was about 14. That was when I realized I was not good enough to play certain sports, and my doctor said I would not be able to play basketball or baseball. So I decided on golf, and I practiced every day at Quail Ridge Golf course near my home in Bartlett. I made my high school team at Bartlett High School, and eventually earned a scholarship to play golf at UT Martin. A: What's on your bucket list? J: To attend the Masters! A: How did you end up working here at The Smith Clinic? J: I was a student here on my last rotation for PTA school, and was offered a job while I was here. It was an easy transition and easy decision for me as everyone here is great!
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Get to know Laurie PhillipsLaurie is a new fitness teacher on our staff, teaching several of our group fitness classes. This month she will also be one of our coaches for our Get Ready For Summer Challenge, so this was a perfect time to get to know more about her:
A: And now you don't have to say goodbye since you now work here! I completely understand that feeling, I had a similar experience when I was a patient, years before I became an employee. It's a wonderful environment with both the staff here and the amazing patients. You mentioned your husband, tell us more about your family:
L: My husband and I have been married 25 years, and have been blessed with two amazing children. Our lives are full watching them bloom as adults. A: I know you run and are active in working out, but how did you get interested in actually teaching fitness classes? L: I had a very sedentary lifestyle up until 2008, when I decided that I needed to do something for myself. Since then, my love for fitness slowly began taking over and replacing the sedentary lifestyle. After several years of working out at the gym, and finding a love for running, I found that I absolutely love having fitness as a part of my daily life. And now I am a two-time marathoner and a sprint triathlete! The thought of becoming a group fitness instructor came up in 2015 when Angie mentioned it to me. With my love for fitness, it made sense! I decided to check into it, started studying and then took the test. I am so excited for the opportunity to have a job in the fitness field, and to be a part of The Smith Clinic. A: Your story is very inspiring, a good reminder to follow our interests and be brave to try something new! Do you have any tips on staying fit? L: I find that there are days when I don't feel like working out, but before I talk myself out of going, I put on my workout clothes and tennis shoes. Then my mindset will already be changed and I will be ready to head out the door and conquer the workout. Then it's over before I know it, and I'm left with a feeling of accomplishment. A: Thanks Laurie that's so true about starting our day off in the right mindset, even something as simple as putting on our workout clothes first thing! I know you will be a wonderful asset to the clinic, especially during our upcoming Challenge! Get to know Amber!Amber is one of our PTA (Physical Therapy Assistants). We are thankful for her friendly attitude and her dedication to her job. We learned a little more about her below:  Ashley: Let's start with your newest addition... your puppy! Amber: His name is Leo and he's a miniature dachshund. A patient contacted the clinic after finding him online. I've had him for 2 weeks and he is 9 months old. Leo is very sweet and likes to sleep on his back; but he hates the rain. Ashley: He is so cute! Ok, speaking of new additions, I hear you are going to be an Aunt soon. Amber: Yes, my sister is expecting a baby in May and my sister-in-law and step brother are expecting a baby in August! I'm excited about being an Aunt! Ashley: Tell us about your education background, and when you knew you wanted to go into Physical Therapy.
Amber: I went to Cordova High School for 9th grade, then to Ovredo High School (in Florida) for 10th through 12th grade. I went to Northwest Community College for 2 years on a full ride band scholarship, then onto Ole Miss for the last 2 years, majoring in Exercise Science. My PTA degree was from Southwest (the Union Campus). There were tons of occupations that I wanted to do (college math professor, pilot, storm chaser, race car driver, etc). I knew I wanted to be a therapist my 10th grade year, after a 200 pound file cabinet fell off a wall and onto my Mom. It crushed the top of her foot, giving her nerve disorder. After seeing what she had to go through, it made me want to be able to have a career that could help people in those type situations. Ashley: I didn't know that you had a musical background! And I also didn't know about the accident with your Mom. That explains why you have such a tender heart towards people who are hurting. Outside of work, what hobbies do you enjoy? Amber: I enjoy making baby quilts at the moment for my future niece or nephew. I love playing ultimate frisbee, rafting, hiking on vacations, cycling, and hopefully I'll be getting back into running soon. I like to fish (even though I don't like to take the fish off the hook or put the worm on the hook). I like going to the gun range with my Dad or friends to target practice. Ashley: What was it like growing up as the daughter of a Firefighter? Amber: I loved it! It is nice knowing my Dad is helping the community and saving people's lives. As a child I won a safety poster contest and I got to ride on top of the fire truck with my Dad in the Collierville parade. It's one of my favorite memories as a child with my Dad. And my Dad is the best cook! Ashley: Speaking of cooking, do you have any favorite recipes or favorite foods? Amber: I love to make Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies and cake batter cookies. My favorite thing to eat is my Dad's mac & cheese! Favorite restaurant is Chickfila.  Get to know Corey!
We are thankful to have Corey at The Smith Clinic. He techs with our physical therapists and teaches group fitness classes. He's also one of our coaches during our Transformation Challenges. Ashley: How did you come to work at The Smith Clinic, and have you worked in this field before? Corey: Honestly? It was fate! I was coming up on the deadline of finalizing where I was going to do my senior internship at the University of Memphis and I never got a return phone call from another clinic that I used to work for. I ran a search on Google and The Smith Clinic was the first clinic nearest me. I called and Angie was quick to respond! Before doing tech work for 2 1/2 years at another clinic, I worked for Ci-Ci’s Pizza. I was the General Manager of the Cordova store when I decided to move on. A: We are glad that other place never called you back! Tell us about your family. C: I am born and raised here in Memphis. Everyone should know my beautiful wife, Kristina. She is a nurse at Midsouth Family Medicine. No kids – yet. My family is here in/around Memphis. My mom and dad are retired and live in Bartlett. One of my brothers is a PT at Campbell Clinic. My other brother works at FedEx. Kristina’s parents and her sister and family live in Knoxville. All in all, we have 1 nephew and 4 nieces. A: Kristina is beautiful and so sweet. She's been a help during our Transformation Challenge kick off sessions too! I heard you are a handyman of sorts, tell us more about some of the projects/hobbies you enjoy outside of work. C: I like tools! I am always on the lookout for a good tool sale. I have experience in painting, concrete countertops, floor resurfacing, and designer epoxy floor coatings. I try to do most of my automotive work as well. I helped do the blue floors in the Café at the 50 in the Liberty Bowl! A: Wow, those are some great skills to have! What is one reason why you chose to work in the physical therapy/fitness field? C: I enjoy helping people. I always say, “Happy to Help!” I feel that making the experience of rehab and overall health to be as fun and productive as possible. A: What do you appreciate in the staff at The Smith Clinic and/or the community that we have with our patients? C: I love how everyone is so friendly and welcoming at the clinic, from the staff, the fitness members, and the patients. It makes coming to work an honor and a privilege! A: I totally agree! Angie, Michael and Chris do such a good job at setting a high standard of excellence. And we do believe we have the best patients! Do you and Kristina have a favorite vacation spot or travel memory? C: Last October, my wife and I went to Ormond Beach, Florida. We had a blast! A: Do you or your wife do the cooking? What are some favorite dishes y’all like? C: When it comes to cooking, I do most of it. My wife would rather bake. We make a salmon dish and a taco salad at some point during the week. A: Sounds delicious! We need to get those recipes and post them here on our blog soon! Thanks to Corey for taking the time to answer some of our questions. If you haven't tried out one of his classes then you need to do so...a fun and quick way to burn some calories! |
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