Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Drayer.
Beth, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I really kind of fell into it. I remember talking to my high school Athletic Trainer as I was getting ready to graduate. He asked me where I was going to school, and told me to go talk to his friend from college, who ran the Athletic Training program where I was going. There was a year and a half waiting list to get into the program so took all my prereqs and such and after a semester of the evaluation was accepted into the program. It was great! I was learning exactly the stuff I wanted to be…. biology, anatomy, physiology. I love that stuff!
Plus I was involved in the athletics program. I have always been active and played sports growing up, so this was a great way to keep the two integrated together! I still geek out about it! After undergrad had a couple one year jobs in different high school settings as their athletic trainer then went to Grad school for 2 years which brought me to the west coast. I really liked the collegiate setting so after grad school moved down to LA and started at a DI school and worked there for 9 years!
It’s a really tough lifestyle though and I got a bit burnt out from it, took some time off and worked as a personal trainer and group trainer in both a gym and high school setting. Then actually went back to a DI school for another 2 year period. Then ended up working in a physician clinic setting for just over a year. I’ve learned so much from each of these experiences, they all have built on each other to get me to this point here now.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Is anything ever smooth road?! The first big challenge was actually getting into the athletic training program in the first place. Each semester they took 40 students into the intro and then selected 15 from that group to continue on in the program. Then grad school wasn’t exactly how I had planned it in my head before I got there. But I wouldn’t trade the experience I had for the one I expected to have….. I learned so much more about myself and was exposed to so many different things than what I would have, had it been what I had as my preconceived experience. Oh and then once you actually start working in the real world! Holy cow that alone was a whole new experience!
So many things came to light that you don’t actually see as a student. There are always challenging people to work with, each a new learning experience right? I’ve had several coaches that I didn’t see eye to eye with which is hard, cause in the DI athletic setting I was there to look out for the student athlete’s best health interest… I want them to be able to walk when they are 60 more than win one game (even though I really want to win the game too) So there are always challenges or opportunities.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Beth Drayer Movement Nutrition story. Tell us more about the business.
Beth Drayer Movement Nutrition is set up to help people Move Better and Feel Better. I feel that everyone has the right to live a long and healthy life, and movement is a huge component of that. What you don’t use you lose so I really want to help people keep what they have and maybe even improve! I really specialize in helping people coming back from injuries. This is fairly broad, from the weekend warrior who strained his/her hamstring and wants to get back to their activities to someone who has had surgery and has gone through Physical Therapy but isn’t quite ready to return to their activities. I want to bridge that gap as well.
With the way, the Health Care system works limiting the number of visits for PT not everyone is released and ready to go back full speed. But there is also the preventative side as well. I look at my parents and see that they are getting older, both still active but maybe don’t quite have the range of motion and balance to keep them going. Trying to help them continue with their activities as well. My dad is 71 years old and still plays tennis and golf weekly… I want that to last! I want that for everyone!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
My first job here in LA was good luck. I had just graduated from grad school and didn’t have a job yet. My parents were coming out to visit my brother who was already living here and since I had nothing better to do drove down as well… I was staying with friends in Sacramento. On a Wednesday a job was posted and I faxed in a resume.
I called on Thursday to make sure they received it and on Friday went in for an interview. I ended up working there for 9 years! After that, I haven’t really looked at things as luck….just different opportunities either opening or ending
Contact Info:
- Phone: 3108506505
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethdrayermovementnutrition
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BDMovementNutrition
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