Today we’d like to introduce you to Caitlin Oliveros.
Hi Caitlin, 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?
My name is Caitlin Oliveros, and I am the founder of Studio Duyan Physical Therapy + Wellness. Professionally, I am a holistic physical therapist who specializes in myofascial pain, pelvic floor, scoliosis, and hypermobility.
As for my story, there is a lot of irony in its early chapters:
When people would ask me how I got into my career, I tell them the story of how I grew up around doctors and healthcare providers, thinking I would be designing clothes or decorating houses, only to pivot as a physical therapist.
When people would ask me how I decided to specialize in the pelvic floor, I tell them the story of how I curiously signed up for the certification, completely unaware it entailed sticking a finger in unexpected places.
When people would ask me how I decided to start my own business, I tell them the story about how I kept searching for the “dream job” that would finance my “dream life”, only to realize that I had the ability to build that life for myself all along. I just needed to be brave enough to admit it – and even braver to actually make it happen.
I’m a type-A perfectionist (and an earth sign!) to a fault, but even when things don’t turn out the way they should, I always chose to move ahead. Looking back on my 20s, if I only knew then what I know now, I would have worried less. The setbacks I experienced never deterred me from my goals. In fact, they only pulled me back to launch me forward towards my dreams in an intensity and velocity I’d never believe was possible.
It turns out, that “dream life” wasn’t something to find, but something to build. Before it had a name, Studio Duyan was just an idea in my head. I wanted to create a safe and welcoming space where people can experience an evolution of themselves. By bridging their personal stories to their health, I wanted my clients to be able to rediscover their bodies’ potentials and take ownership over their own physical well-being. “Duyan” is the Tagalog word for “cradle” or “hammock”, and I wanted to convey this sense of nurture and peace in my practice. Today, that vision has blossomed into Studio Duyan Physical Therapy + Wellness, a place where we bring holistic healing and empowerment to our community, one body and story at a time.
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?
The road to where I am today was anything but smooth, though I certainly tried to make it appear so. I navigated significant hurdles, from getting delayed in school and enduring harassment in former workplaces, to being broke and sleeping on someone else’s couch for half a year. And, perhaps most ironically, I launched Studio Duyan unknowingly five days before the LA fires. It was a relentless uphill climb.
Nowadays, I reflect on my past struggles with gratitude over remorse. Nothing that has ever stood in my way lasted long enough to make me quit. By constantly choosing to trust in myself, I realized I was exercising resilience and building grit over time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I think the concept of holistic physical therapy is always interesting to people. They usually have no idea what it means. Traditionally, physical therapy is intended to treat one body part at a time or conditions attributed to specific groups. In my early days, for example, I used to work in a clinic that solely treated the spine and another that exclusively worked with athletes. I was often discouraged by former employers from taking courses and certifications that I was genuinely interested in because they were “too niche”. Even so, I specialized in the interconnected conditions of myofascial pain, the pelvic floor, scoliosis, and hypermobility.
When I decided to create Studio Duyan, I wanted to bring the focus back on the people. Having experienced being a patient myself, I thought long and hard about what I wanted to offer to the community. As I reflected, I realized that during the scariest moments navigating my own health issues, I could sometimes recall the care I received from providers more than the actual treatments themselves. More than that, I remember the feeling of being treated as a person and not a diagnosis – that’s when it clicked for me. That’s what I wanted all my patients to feel.
At Studio Duyan, we invite our patients to change their narrative and take an active role in their health. If a patient who had just given birth comes in with diastasis recti (abdominal separation) but also complains of shoulder pain and peeing when sneezing, our holistic approach allows us to target all those issues in one session. We also take into account all the possible influences that may affect their care – their lifestyle, stress levels, hobbies – not just their diagnosis. This foundational approach, built on empathy and a deep understanding of each individual’s journey, is what sets us apart. What truly makes me proud is the incredible community we’ve built; our clients are so invested in their health and eager to improve. It’s incredibly rewarding to serve individuals from all walks of life with diverse needs, helping each of them on their unique path to complete well-being.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I always say, ‘Investing in yourself is the ultimate act of self-love.’ So know that it’s okay to want more in life, to change your mind or pivot away from your comfort zone, and to believe in yourself. There’s no greater reward than knowing you were the reason your own life changed for the better.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.studioduyan.com/
- Instagram: @studioduyan
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/studioduyan
Image Credits
Leslie Gimenez
