Dr. Andrea Cordova-Caddes DPT, OCS of Claremont on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Dr. Andrea Cordova-Caddes DPT, OCS and have shared our conversation below.

Andrea, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity is the quality I value most, even though I also work hard to cultivate intelligence and energy. Striving to demonstrate all three in my life comes not from perfection, but from a commitment to excellence. Intelligence and energy matter, but integrity is the foundation that gives those qualities purpose to the way I show up, the choices I make and the care I offer. I deeply believe in doing the right thing, even when it is harder. I am motivated by being someone who can be trusted to deliver excellent work consistently. I strive to stand out not simply for what I achieve, but for how I achieve it — with honesty, accountability and a commitment to high standards. Thoughtfulness shapes my work, but integrity is what keeps me grounded.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Andrea Cordova-Caddes and I am a physical therapist with a board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. I own a boutique physical therapy clinic in Claremont called Somadoc. My practice centers on a personalized, integrative approach to care, combining evidence-based physical therapy with somatic practices to help patients improve physical and emotional function. I am passionate about helping people reconnect with their bodies and discover the incredible capacity the body has to heal. Through education, hands-on work and awareness-based practices, I guide patients toward long-term wellness, not just short-term recovery. I believe that motion is lotion — in fact, it is my official service mark — and that movement is the fountain of youth!

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My patients have taught me the most about work. Every single person who walks through my door teaches me something, whether it be about listening, the complexity of healing or resilience. Many people arrive facing pain and challenges that require persistence and courage, and yet they keep showing up to do the work of recovery. Witnessing that firsthand reminds me that healing is a process that takes patience, dedication and adaptability. My clients have taught me that being a physical therapist is not just about technical skill, but it is about being fully present and willing to meet someone exactly where they are. My patients have shaped my work ethic more than anything else, because they constantly remind me that healing is a partnership. Working with people has made me a better physical therapist and a better person.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to strive to continuously grow, but to soften my expectations. Its lonely to push so hard that it is hard for others to be around because not everyone will be able to push themselves to the same capacity. We cannot impose our own expectations onto others because we will push people away. Excellence matters, but life is about being present, building deep connections and allowing yourself to be supported. I would tell my younger self that I do not need to prove that I can work hard, sacrifice and make things happen. Most of all, I would tell myself that I don’t have to carry everything alone and not everything needs to be driven to perfection to be meaningful.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
The foundational truths in my life — honesty, connection, growth, somatic memory and the understanding that healing is a partnership — are so deeply ingrained in who I am that I rarely articulate them, yet they shape everything I do, how I live and how I relate to others. Honesty is the starting point for everything — healing, relationships, growth. If you are not honest with yourself, you cannot build real connection with others and it is hard to move forward in any meaningful way. Connection matters more than achievement. I value excellence and I work hard, but at the end of the day, the quality of my relationships is what shapes my life. Being present, being open and being willing to show up with vulnerability is what creates depth and meaning. Growth is the essence of vitality. I believe in leaving everything better than the way I found it. At the core of my work, I believe the body remembers everything, every stress, every joy, every wound and every moment of safety. I see it in how people move, how they protect themselves, how they breathe. The emotional history of a person shows up in their body’s patterns. Healing is a partnership and that progress happens through a shared effort. I can educate and guide my patients, but they have to do the work. I cannot fix anyone because I don’t think that they are broken. These beliefs are woven into how I live, how I work and how I connect with others; they are the quiet truths that shape everything I do.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I am someone who has always followed her intuition and believe I ended up doing exactly what I was born to do. Working as a physical therapist allows me to honor my curious and empathetic nature and building Somadoc feels like an extension of who I am — someone who is committed to making people’s lives better in tangible ways. Most people think of physical therapy as fixing a body part, but what I see every day is that people heal best when they feel heard, safe and understood. The connection and dialogue are just as much a part of my work as the treatments themselves. When I treat someone, I am not just addressing an injury, I am supporting the whole person. Creating Somadoc has allowed me to practice in a way that honors the work I am meant to be doing. Growth for me isn’t about becoming bigger — it’s about becoming better. I want to keep refining the experience so every person who walks in feels cared for, understood and empowered.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.somadoctor.com
• Other: [email protected]
  909 – 447 -9494

Image Credits
Headshot PC: Eleanora Barna