Linda Borgmeyer shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Linda, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
In the realm of rehabilitation therapy, there’s often a misconception about the nature of our interactions with patients. Traditionally, therapy has been seen as a one-way transaction where the clinician holds all the knowledge and makes decisions on behalf of the patient. They outline the treatment plan and ask for patient feedback with questions like, ‘What do you think?’ Patients, often unfamiliar with the process, tend to defer, saying, ‘Whatever you think.’
However, I believe therapy should be a collaborative and interactive process. Over my 39 years of practice, I’ve discovered that asking specific questions can transform the treatment plan into a more patient-centered experience. Questions like:
‘What short-term actions do you believe will significantly improve your recovery in multiple areas?’
‘How confident are you in your ability to recover?’
‘Imagine regaining independence or becoming pain-free. What would that mean for your life?’
By engaging patients in these discussions, we empower them to express their priorities. For instance, a patient might express a desire to walk again. Asking how confident they feel about achieving this goal opens a dialogue that aligns with their motivation and determination. This approach ensures that the treatment plan resonates with their personal goals and aspirations.
Without this deep understanding and patient buy-in, success rates can be limited. Building a meaningful connection with patients is essential; we enter their lives during vulnerable times. If we fail to engage on a personal level, we risk diminishing their sense of self-determination and dignity.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Linda Borgmeyer, an Occupational Therapist and co-owner of Novoleo Therapy and Fitness, based in Florida. With 39 years of experience specializing in senior rehabilitation, I lead a team of Master’s and Doctorate-level Physical and Occupational Therapists dedicated to delivering evidence-based care directly to older adults in their homes through Medicare B and private pay.
At Novoleo Therapy and Fitness, we’ve observed that providing high-level care in the home environment significantly enhances seniors’ quality of life. Unlike traditional outpatient settings where cancellations are common due to energy limitations, we empower our clients to build strength and endurance at home. This approach ensures they conserve energy for enjoyable community and family activities, promoting overall well-being.
Our team specializes in rigorous training tailored for seniors, challenging the misconception that older adults can’t engage in robust physical activity. Our outcomes speak for themselves, supported by advanced modalities such as electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and cutting-edge equipment like the Galileo Side-Alternating Mechanostimulation.
We’re not just a rehabilitation team; we’re advocates for active aging. Currently, we’re collaborating with Dr. Claire Minshull, a Rehabilitation & Conditioning Specialist from the UK, to establish a training academy. This academy will equip therapists with the latest evidence-based techniques, ensuring our practices align with the forefront of adult recovery science.
At Novoleo, our mission is to redefine how seniors approach rehabilitation, promoting independence, strength, and vitality.”
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Today, I reflect on what part of me has served its purpose and must now be released. In 2019, I embarked on a journey to create something meaningful for older adults: the Wisdom Warrior Challenge, a track event dedicated to adults aged 50-100+. What started as a personal initiative soon blossomed into a non-profit organization, driven by the belief that older adults deserve the same motivational opportunities for physical activity as younger generations.
2025 marked a significant milestone for the Wisdom Warrior Challenge, with record participation from athletes, particularly in the 95-99 age category—an unprecedented achievement. The event received substantial media attention and sparked interest nationwide, prompting requests for expansion.
As passionate as I am about promoting active lifestyles for seniors, I realized that my strengths lie in occupational therapy, not event management. Making a heartfelt decision for the event’s future, I concluded that professional management could elevate its impact. Recently, I finalized the transition to a new management team, a bittersweet but necessary step.
I am genuinely excited to witness the Wisdom Warrior Challenge flourish under capable hands across the country. This transition allows me to refocus on my core strengths while ensuring that the event continues to inspire and empower seniors nationwide.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
The 2020 Covid lockdown undoubtedly rocked everyone’s world, including mine. At the time, I was managing an outpatient clinic in a senior living community, where our top priority was ensuring the safety of residents. It was a period that revealed a side of myself I hadn’t fully recognized before—I realized I was more empathetic than I had thought.
Every day, I heard heart-wrenching stories of loneliness and despair from our patients. The effects of isolation were particularly profound for residents with dementia, cut off from their loved ones. I witnessed families desperately trying to connect through windows, their confusion and longing painfully evident. It was the most emotionally challenging period of my life.
While I wasn’t afraid of the virus itself, managing the clinic amid closures, stringent hygiene protocols, and social distancing was physically demanding. Yet, it was the emotional toll and the profound sense of separation felt by our patients that weighed heaviest. Many mornings, summoning the strength to show up with a smile felt daunting.
In January 2021, I attended a transformative weeklong meditation retreat. This experience shifted my perspective and rejuvenated me. It provided a lifeline that allowed me to reclaim my life. Since then, I’ve learned valuable lessons in supporting others without internalizing their pain.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
After 61 years, I can finally say with confidence that my public and private selves are aligned. I’ve found comfort in my life, with a shift in priorities from career to family. I’ve grown more tolerant of diverse ideas and have learned not to take things personally, realizing that others’ responses are often shaped by their own histories rather than reflections on me.
I now understand the wisdom in my mother’s teachings and The Beatles’ lyrics: ‘Love is all we need.’ Embracing the belief that we are interconnected has liberated me to live a more open-minded life.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I deeply understand, and wish more people did, is that we are interconnected—what we do to others affects us too, positively or negatively. I believe we have more control over our emotions and health than commonly believed, exemplified by the placebo effect in clinical trials. In these trials, participants given inactive placebos often show positive responses when they believe they’re receiving active medication. This phenomenon demonstrates the power of belief in activating the body’s own healing mechanisms.
Consider illnesses influenced by stress levels; if stress can make us sick, can a change in belief make us well? While some may grasp this concept, it’s not universally appreciated. If more people understood and applied this understanding, we could truly transform our world for the better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://NovoleoTF.com
- Instagram: @NovoleoTF
- Linkedin: @NovoleoTF
- Facebook: @NovoleoTF
- Youtube: @NovoleoTF
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