Today we’d like to introduce you to Marie Fernandez.
Hi Marie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I pursued my Doctorate during a pandemic, and ironically through all the chaos, it cultivated my identity as a clinician fusing yoga with physical therapy. I built a business by just being myself and getting partnerships with companies like Tiktok and lululemon to advocate for health & wellness!
It’s not about being “the best” but working towards being better every day.
Truthfully, physical therapists are underrepresented because our profession has evolved so much within the past couple of decades transitioning from a post-bachelor’s program to a Doctorate. Simply stated, we are basically “the cool jocks” of the healthcare world specializing in the Human Movement System. Rather than being frustrated with the divide between “old school” physical therapists and this newer generation of budding professionals, I use social media as a platform to help represent our profession through my perspective!
Within healthcare, you see the extremes and experience a level of humility where you realize every day is truly a blessing. I’ve always been passionate about movement, and I am proud to say as a Physical Therapist it is now my job to turn movement into rehabilitation. With yoga, it’s given me the tools to empower my patients through mindfulness. Yoga is so much more than being flexible, but it has applications that teach how to be the best version of yourself through breathing techniques, meditation, asana– and most importantly– mindset. A lot of principles with yoga mirror a biopsychosocial approach to healing.
As a second-generation Filipino-American, I want to lead by example and inspire others to work towards their goals despite being the minority. I advocate for women of color, females in fitness, along with physical therapists that encourage our patients to move pain-free and authentically. Despite my 25 years of schooling, I truly believe hard work outweighs intelligence. It is not about striving for perfection but thriving consistently and I feel like it’s my purpose to encourage others to be their best.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nobody was ready for the obstacles that came along with COVID-19, and as a student, let me tell reassure you that you must be very creative to learn “physical” therapy over WiFi. With the transition of trying to transform our curriculum online, I took the initiative to network and build a community with others despite the isolation in quarantine.
Months into lockdown, I partnered with Tiktok for the #LearnOnTikTok campaign to represent the health & wellness community. I joined the team and was formally taught digital marketing strategies — which is completely different from healthcare by the way– to help make the platform more educational and encourage others to get up and move. The most effective rule for being a Content Creator is to stay authentic, I honestly felt like I was just documenting being myself. More partnerships came with great timing, my voice to advocate grew, and everything happened so organically! I never thought of myself as an influencer or even an athlete, just someone who’s really passionate and on a never ending pursuit to be my best.
Lockdown ended up being a blessing in disguise. In one of the most challenging times personally and professionally, I built more confidence in myself by building my business with Bodywork Sessions and cultivating my identity as a physical therapist.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I fuse cupping therapy, IASTM blading, and/or private yoga to help my clients move pain-free and authentically towards their own individual goals. I am currently a preferred provider for Cup Therapy, and with my MFDc, it notes that I am internationally recognized for being certified with advanced techniques. I host Bodywork Sessions to help my clients pursue their passions to their best potential.
Initially, work started by teaching yoga classes. Later, it evolved to my cousin buying me a cupping set and fusing yoga with cupping on his couch. After posting on social media, it evolved to taking house calls then progressed to building clientele and working at a private gym. As my passion grew, I wanted to learn more to help my private yoga clients and got further certifications to pair with IASTM blading, Cupping Therapy, and Functional Movement.
It’s not typically recommended to work during grad school but being with clients was a refreshing break from studying and helped me reconnect with my “why” to help others move pain-free and authentically. I have a large spectrum of clients helping them complete very different goals whether it be for bodybuilding, reaching new PRs, or something as simple as being able to tolerate sitting at a desk for a full work shift without getting neck pain.
Everyone should be able to pursue their passions, it’s my job to help you unlock your potential.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Podcast: Wake Up / Wind Down Books: Clifton Strengths, Start with Why, Yoga Anatomy
Apps: Headspace, MyFitnessPal, Canva for digital marketing editing and advocacy
Pricing:
- Bodywork Sessions – $150/hr
- Cupping Therapy – $150/hr
- IASTM Blading – $150/hr
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariesmovement/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mariesmovement?
Image Credits
Somerbliss Photography by Tiffany Nguyen – IG: @SomerBliss Errold – John Tumaque
