We recently connected with Alicia Yamamoto and have shared our conversation below.
Alicia, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resiliency has been shaped by years of navigating high-pressure environments, confronting hard truths, and ultimately choosing to live in alignment with my values—even when that meant walking away from the conventional path.
Much of my early career was spent in elite sports medicine: in the WNBA, NBA, and with Cirque du Soleil. These roles demanded quick decision-making, emotional presence, and an unwavering ability to stay steady in the face of crisis. I learned to deliver care with precision and empathy, to support athletes through both physical recovery and emotional uncertainty. But over time, I also realized that constantly pushing through wasn’t the same as truly standing in my worth.
Working in professional sports gave me incredible experience—but it also showed me the limits of environments that prioritize output over people. The more I grew as a clinician, the more I felt the tension between my desire to offer whole-person care and the constraints of systems that didn’t always support that. I began to recognize that resilience wasn’t just about enduring—it was about discerning. About knowing when something no longer aligns, and having the courage to choose a different way.
That’s what ultimately inspired me to start Yamamoto Wellness. I wanted creative freedom over my treatment plans and the space to lead a business that reflects who I am—not just as a clinician, but as a human being. In my own practice, I’ve been able to integrate everything I’ve learned—from manual therapy and dry needling to breathwork, reiki, and energetic healing—and offer care that supports the whole person, not just the injury.
My journey with Reiki in particular has been a powerful part of this evolution. What began as a personal healing experience turned into a professional calling. Reiki taught me to listen differently—not just with my hands or my head, but with my whole being. It deepened my connection to intuition, presence, and trust—qualities that now guide every interaction I have with my clients.
Resiliency, for me, has meant learning how to protect my energy, trust my instincts, and create systems that don’t just help others heal, but allow me to stay whole in the process. It’s an ongoing practice—refining what I say yes to, holding firm to boundaries, and showing up with integrity, no matter the environment. That’s how I stay rooted. That’s how I lead.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My work is rooted in a simple belief: healing is most powerful when it’s personal, intuitive, and aligned with the whole person. That belief, combined with years of experience in elite sports medicine, led me to create Yamamoto Wellness—a practice that blends clinical expertise with integrative, values-driven care.
After more than a decade working in high-performance environments—from the WNBA and NBA to Cirque du Soleil—I saw firsthand how systems often prioritize performance over people. While I’m grateful for the technical skills I gained in those roles, I also became increasingly aware that I needed more autonomy to practice in alignment with my values. I wanted to offer care that wasn’t rushed or transactional, but grounded, relational, and responsive to the full human experience.
That’s why I stepped away and launched my own private practice. At Yamamoto Wellness, I integrate dry needling, manual therapy, breathwork, reiki, lithotherapy, and holistic health coaching to support clients not just in relieving pain, but in reconnecting with their bodies. Every session is personalized and trauma-informed, allowing me to meet people where they are and guide them toward sustainable healing.
What excites me most about this work is that it gives me the freedom to practice authentically. I’m not bound by insurance timelines or rigid treatment protocols. Instead, I get to offer care that honors both the science of the body and the intuition of the individual. It’s deeply fulfilling to help clients not only feel better—but feel more like themselves.
Looking ahead, I’m continuing to expand my offerings with concierge-style care for performers and creatives who need support in their own environments. I’m also working toward publishing—creating written work that explores the intersections of healing, embodiment, identity, and clinical insight.
One of my long-term goals is to collaborate more deeply with organizations that focus on human performance and injury management—not just as a consultant, but as a trusted partner in cultural transformation. I envision stepping into these systems as both a clinician and strategist—building relationships with athletes, performers, staff, and leadership, assessing gaps in care, and helping teams and organizations move toward models that are more proactive, human-centered, and sustainable. It’s not about telling people what to do—it’s about helping organizations reconnect with their core values and creating care structures that reflect compassion, equity, and long-term performance. In addition to providing personalized treatment in both clinic and home concierge settings, I’m expanding my work to include corporate wellness, community initiatives, and remote virtual care—meeting people where they are and tailoring care to their unique needs.
At Yamamoto Wellness, the goal isn’t just treatment—it’s transformation. It’s about aligning people with their values, their vitality, and a deeper sense of agency in their health.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back on my journey, three qualities and skills have been most impactful in shaping my growth and success. First, deep empathy and the ability to build genuine relational connections have been at the core of my work. I’ve learned that healing goes beyond treating symptoms—it requires truly understanding the whole person’s story and experience. Whether working with elite athletes, performers, or individuals seeking holistic healing, this empathy has allowed me to foster trust and create meaningful therapeutic relationships essential for lasting transformation.
Second, integrative clinical expertise combined with holistic perspectives has transformed my practice. My background in elite sports medicine provided me with rigorous clinical skills in orthopedic evaluation and manual therapies such as dry needling. However, integrating these techniques with modalities like breathwork, reiki, and health coaching has enabled me to offer personalized, trauma-informed care that honors both the body’s mechanics and its energetic and emotional dimensions. This blend of science and intuition creates a more complete approach to healing.
Lastly, resilience and adaptability have been crucial throughout my career, which has spanned diverse high-performance environments—from professional sports teams to Cirque du Soleil. Each setting demanded flexibility and perseverance, teaching me that growth often requires embracing challenges and evolving beyond traditional roles. This mindset empowered me to create my own path with Yamamoto Wellness, shaping a practice aligned with my values and the unique needs of my clients.
For those early in their journey, my advice is to cultivate empathy by listening deeply—paying attention not only to words but to body language, emotions, and unspoken needs. This skill builds the foundation for impactful care and authentic connection. It’s also important to pursue diverse learning and remain open-minded. Don’t limit yourself to one modality or perspective; instead, seek out varied training that expands your understanding of human health physically, mentally, and energetically. The intersection of clinical knowledge and holistic insight is where powerful healing can truly take place.
Finally, embrace growth through challenges. Resilience is not about never struggling, but about being willing to evolve, take risks, and build a practice that reflects your authentic values and passions. Surround yourself with mentors and communities that support your development. Above all, trust that your unique combination of skills, experiences, and intuition will make your contribution meaningful and transformative. The journey is ongoing, and maintaining curiosity and compassion will guide you toward fulfillment and impact.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed, I first bring myself back to the present moment. Grounding practices like mindful breathwork or tuning into my body help me quiet racing thoughts and reconnect with what’s happening right now. This presence reminds me that I don’t have to have all the answers immediately—I can focus on each moment as it comes.
I also make space to reassess and recalibrate as needed, reflecting on whether my actions and priorities are still aligned with my core values. This check-in helps me live intentionally and ensures that I’m moving forward in a way that feels authentic and true to myself.
Investing in my health and well-being is essential during these times. Whether through rest, movement, nourishing food, or energy work like reiki, I prioritize self-care that replenishes my physical, mental, and emotional reserves. I’ve come to understand that caring for myself is foundational—it allows me to show up fully and sustainably.
Most importantly, I trust the process and the universe to guide me. While I take intentional steps, I recognize that life unfolds in its own timing, and I don’t need to control every outcome. This trust gives me patience and faith to continue moving forward, even when the path isn’t perfectly clear.
For anyone feeling overwhelmed, I encourage you to anchor yourself in the present, regularly reassess your alignment with your values, invest in your well-being, and cultivate trust that the journey will unfold as it should. With patience and compassion, you can navigate challenges while staying true to yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yamamotowellness.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-yamamoto-dat-lat-atc-43896036b/
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