Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michelle Wall. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Michelle, thank you so much for joining us today and appreciate you talking about a sensitive topic. It’s unfortunately relevant to so many in the community as layoffs have been on the rise recently, and so we’d appreciate hearing your story and how you overcame being let go?
In 2020, I got laid off from my position at a downtown outpatient orthopedic physical therapy practice. I loved my job and I was devastated. However, I had just had my first baby and was not exactly sad to stay home with her longer. But of course the questions started looming: Where would my next job come from if all the other orthopedic practices are also laying people off? When would I find another job? Would I be able to find something that was flexible that would allow me to spend time with my daughter?
I decided to take matters into my own hands. Instead of waiting around to see if practices started hiring, I began taking steps to start my own practice. I was able to get things into order within a few months and started seeing patients on my own!
I had previously considered working as a contractor, but several years prior I felt too new to my field and wasn’t quite ready to strike out on my own. But this opportunity seemed to fall into my lap with my layoff, so I took it and ran.
I was scared to start my own business and have learned many lessons along the way, but I’m so grateful for the business coaches I’ve worked with who have taught me so much and saved me from making so many mistakes!
I hired my first employee last fall which helped me achieve my first $100,000 in annual revenue. I have a ways to go to be where I want to be as far as work-life balance, but I am so glad I took the leap and started my own business! I cannot imagine what my life would look like and how burnt out I would be if I were working at my old job now that I have two daughters and other responsibilities in my life. I believe everything happens for a reason, and although I was disappointed at the time to lose my job, I could not be more grateful that it led me to where I am today.
I don’t know if I would have ever gotten into pelvic health had I not lost my job. Having kids opened my eyes to many things in the traditional medical system that are flawed, especially women’s care during pregnancy and postpartum. Since opening my own practice, I have switched my focus to pregnancy and postpartum and feel I have found my true passion and calling as a pelvic health physical therapist.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a pelvic health physical therapist, specializing in treating pregnant and postpartum women. I own my practice, Moms in Motion PT, which is a mobile PT practice. This means that all our sessions are provided in the comfort of the patient’s home. We believe it is imperative to meet women where they are at – literally. So we travel to them. If they are outside of our radius we provide virtual services so we can accommodate them.
We work with women on a variety of health issues from painful intercourse to leaking and from labor preparation to postpartum recovery. My favorite part of my job is getting to see firsthand the success of my patients. It is just as exciting for me when they can run without leaking as it is for them. I love celebrating the wins and troubleshooting the difficulties alongside them.
Our profession is unique in the pelvic health field because we are often discussing intimate details of the patients’ lives. This allows us to form a deeper relationship than most women have with their medical providers. It is fun for me to plan each session according to the patient’s unique circumstances and work together to accomplish their goals.
I often tell people that I have the best job in the world, and I’m not being dramatic! I love the ways we get to impact people’s lives, help people overcome barriers to normal functioning (like sneezing without peeing their pants), and witness the wins they accomplish.
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?
The top 3 things that were most impactful in my journey were confidence, communication, and compassion. If I didn’t have the confidence that I could help people overcome their symptoms and health concerns, I would not have done well as a physical therapist, and especially out on my own. In the beginning of my career, I worked in a clinic where I was sharing patients with other providers, which did not allow me to truly test my skills as a physical therapist. When I went to my next job, however, I had all of my own patients and developed the confidence that I had what it takes to evaluate patients and competently care for them.
Communication is a skill that is both innate and learned, and I believe the more you can practice effective communication, the farther it will take you in life. I have had to improve my communication skills for many different aspects of my business. I have to communicate with patients about their condition, about money and cost of services, my expectations of their homework, and scheduling their visits. I communicate with my employee about expectations, patient management, schedule, and we even communicate about communication!
Compassion is an important (and often lacking) skill in the healthcare field, and can instantly change the experience of the patient. Taking the time to listen and validate a patient’s feelings and experiences goes a long way. I have heard often from patients that they appreciate the way I listen to their stories and that they can tell I truly care about them.
For anyone in the service industry, I would recommend taking the time to develop these three skills: confidence, communication, and compassion. Gaining confidence in the service you provide will make a difference in how you deliver that service. Maybe that means getting some further training, maybe it means practicing your craft, but whatever it is, get the confidence. Communication skills are imperative in the service space and will take you far. When you think you have communicated enough, communicate even more. Work on being clear and concise when communicating with others. And finally, develop compassion. Now, you might not be hearing intimate details of people’s lives like me, but everyone has a story and you never know what someone might be going through. Give people the benefit of the doubt, even when they don’t deserve it!
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client is any woman struggling with pelvic health concerns, such as urinary incontinence, urinary urgency, urinary frequency, constipation, pelvic organ prolapse (pelvic heaviness or pressure), painful intercourse, tailbone pain, hip pain, groin pain, low back pain, diastasis recti (abdominal separation), or a weak core. These symptoms indicate a pelvic floor or core problem, and we specialize in helping women overcome these symptoms and not only that but live fuller lives.
Our ideal client is someone who is motivated to put in the work it takes to create change. We don’t expect our patients to do everything, however; we simply want people who are committed to the process and ready to take action!
We also have a birth preparation online coaching program, which includes pelvic opening exercises, partner comfort measures and hands on pelvic opening techniques, perineal massage instruction, optimal maternal fetal positioning guidance, labor positions with and without and epidural, education on the various stages of labor and movement for each stage, pushing positions, breathing techniques for pushing, what to expect immediately after birth, early postpartum care, wound management for perineal tears and cesarean incisions, and general guidance for recovery. So pregnant women who desire a better labor and delivery experience are our ideal client for this online program!
If you are interested in working with us, you can visit our website at www.momsinmotionpt.com and fill out our appointment request form, where you can inquire about either 1:1 sessions or our birth preparation coaching program.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.momsinmotionpt.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/moms.in.motion.pt
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/momsinmotionpt
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-wall-32365065/
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@michellewall9701
