We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Sharmaine Longsworth recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Sharmaine , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I often trace my resilience back to my roots—growing up in the Philippines, a third-world country where simply getting through each day required grit, resourcefulness, and a deep sense of purpose.
There, education wasn’t a given—it was a privilege. I had to work hard not only to attend school, but to afford tuition and put food on the table. Every step forward demanded sacrifice, determination, and faith that things would get better. Looking back, I realize how those struggles shaped me into who I am today: someone who doesn’t back down when things get hard, but instead leans in.
Immigrating to the U.S. added another chapter to that journey. The process was long and full of hurdles—countless exams, paperwork, and moments of uncertainty. But I kept going, because I believed in the life I was building and the purpose behind it.
Resilience, to me, isn’t just about enduring hardships—it’s about showing up every day, choosing growth over fear, and remembering where you came from. My past didn’t break me—it built me.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m Dr. Sharmaine Longsworth, a physical therapist, mom, and founder of Physiophyx Physical Therapy in Saginaw, Texas. After more than a decade working in fast-paced, insurance-driven settings—hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home health—I reached a point where I knew there had to be a better way to care for people. I didn’t just want to treat symptoms; I wanted to get to the root of the problem and truly help people heal.
That’s why I opened Physiophyx—a clinic built on personalized, one-on-one care that treats the whole person. We combine advanced hands-on techniques with movement science, sports rehab, pelvic health, and wellness strategies like dry needling, shockwave therapy, and functional medicine. We’re not your typical PT clinic—we don’t just help you recover; we help you thrive.
What makes our clinic special is that we take time. We listen. We make sure our patients feel seen, supported, and empowered. We’re proud to be hybrid, offering both insurance and direct-pay options, because we believe high-quality care should be accessible.
Right now, I’m especially excited about expanding our membership programs and launching our functional medicine and metabolic reset offerings—designed for people who want to stay healthy, prevent injuries, and take control of their long-term wellness. We’re also growing our team and partnering with local fitness professionals and schools to educate and uplift our community.
At the heart of it all is this belief: Healing isn’t just about recovery—it’s about reclaiming your life. And that’s what we’re here to do.
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, three qualities have made the biggest impact on my journey:
1. Always being willing to learn.
I’ve never stopped being a student—whether it was navigating life in a new country, building my clinic from scratch, or learning new treatment methods. Staying curious and open to growth has helped me adapt, evolve, and serve others better.
2. Taking risks and investing in myself.
Moving to the U.S., opening my own practice, choosing the path less traveled—all of it required faith and boldness. But every risk I took came with a reward: experience, clarity, and resilience. You have to believe you’re worth investing in, even when the path is uncertain.
3. Building strong communication and mentorship connections.
I’ve been blessed with mentors who believed in me—and I made sure to listen. Networking, asking questions, being willing to receive feedback, and communicating clearly with others have opened doors I never imagined.
My advice? Don’t give up just because it’s hard. You’ve got nothing to lose by trying—but you’ll learn everything you need by failing forward. Keep showing up. Keep learning. Stay humble. Take the leap, even when you’re scared. You never know how far you can go until you try.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
My ideal client is someone who’s motivated to take control of their health—whether they’re an active adult, a busy mom, a weekend warrior, or a high-level athlete. They’re the kind of person who doesn’t want to just “get by”—they want to thrive and keep doing the things they love, whether that’s lifting their kids, running their business, or dominating on the field.
We especially love working with people who’ve “tried everything” and still don’t feel better. If you’ve bounced between providers and felt unheard or rushed, we’re here to change that. Our patients are the ones who are ready for a different approach—one that gets to the root cause, not just a quick fix.
At Physiophyx, we help everyday people feel like themselves again—stronger, more confident, and in control of their body. If you’re ready to stop settling and start healing, we’d love to help you get there.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.physiophyx.com
- Instagram: Physiophyx PT
- Facebook: Physiophyx Physical Therapy
Image Credits
Matt Redden with Vitae Photography
Michelle Riles with Creative Chelle Photography
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
