Meet James Harris

We recently connected with James Harris and have shared our conversation below.

James, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

When I hit rock bottom with my mental health, I was forced to slow down and truly engage in therapy—something I hadn’t fully believed could help before. Through that process, I learned to accept that there will always be hard days and that it’s okay not to be okay. Instead of fighting those moments, I’ve learned to live by my values: focusing on my family, my wife, and my daughters, and on building a life that’s full and meaningful. I also discovered the importance of exploring new interests, even those that might seem a little unconventional—like diving into fantasy books, painting miniatures, and playing tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons. Embracing those creative “nerdy” hobbies helped me rediscover joy, connect with others, and express a more authentic version of myself. Accepting life’s ups and downs—and allowing myself to genuinely enjoy the things that make me who I am—has helped me find peace, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for what makes life worth living.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Part of my mental health journey led me to realize that I needed to create a work environment that supported both my well-being and my values. That realization inspired me to build Ideal Physical Therapy in Farmington, New Mexico—a practice that’s flexible, family-centered, and rooted in genuine human connection. What makes Ideal PT special is the deeply personalized experience I provide for each person who walks through the door. I take the time to truly listen, to validate what my patients are feeling, and to help them see how their mental and physical health are inseparably linked. I’m especially passionate about helping older adults stay active and continue doing what they love—whether that’s golfing, pickleball, hiking, or simply keeping up with their grandkids. I love showing people that getting older doesn’t mean giving up the activities that give life meaning. By combining mindfulness, movement, and hands-on therapy, I help people heal and thrive as whole human beings—and that’s what makes my work at Ideal Physical Therapy deeply fulfilling every single day.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that have had the biggest impact on my journey are having a strong work ethic, being willing to learn new things, and developing emotional intelligence. Building Ideal Physical Therapy has shown me that if you’re not willing to put in the work, you won’t truly value the outcome. Learning new skills—especially in the early stages of a business—can save money, build confidence, and make the process genuinely enjoyable. And just as important is emotional intelligence: being able to connect with people, understand their needs, and build trust within the community. That’s the foundation of everything I do. I’m still early in my journey, but one piece of advice that stuck with me is not to focus on “what if I fail,” but instead to ask, “what if this succeeds?” The only real failure is giving up—everything else is part of the process.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

One of the things I enjoy most about building a community-based business is the opportunity to collaborate with others. I want people to see that I’m just a real person who cares deeply about making Farmington a healthier, stronger community. I’ve been reaching out to local gyms, fitness studios, and wellness professionals—from HIIT and Pilates gyms to even the new virtual golf center—to build relationships and learn from others who share that same passion for health. While these collaborations naturally help with referrals, what matters most to me is genuine, face-to-face connection—something that feels rare but deeply important. I’m always open to collaborating with anyone who wants to help others live better, whether through traditional or non-traditional approaches. I’d love to connect and see how we can make a difference together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://idealptnm.com
• Instagram: @idealptnm
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579846296394