local storiesDecember 29, 2022

Exploring Life & Business with Harris Choe of HYC Physio Physical Therapy and Sports Performance

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Harris Choe.

Hi Harris, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My interest in physical therapy started in college when I started to take a deep dive into the world of Crossfit, Weightlifting, and Powerlifting. What peaked my interest the most was not the weight on the bar but the intricate biomechanics behind each lift. I started to spiral into a rabbit hole, where I learned more about physical therapists in the weightlifting world, such as Dr. Kelly Starrett and Dr. Quinn Henoch. From there I decided to pursue my Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Southern California and completed my orthopedic residency training there as well. As a resident, I had the privilege to serve as adjunct faculty for graduate students, conduct research, and collaborate with top orthopedic surgeons. After working in the traditional healthcare model, I quickly learned that there were many limitations in the traditional clinic that couldn’t cater to the needs of the active weekend warrior or the high-level athlete. In an effort to provide the best health-care possible for the everyday athlete, I sought out knowledge from other wellness disciplines, such as strength coaches and other health professionals, and started my own practice.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. The biggest barrier has been my own mindset. If you’ve ever heard of the phrase ‘paralysis by analysis’, that was me. My own thoughts and self-confidence were the biggest obstacles that I had to overcome. Especially being in a world that is dominated by profit-first business mindsets, I quickly learned to stay strong in my beliefs to provide services that are always centered around the client. The second biggest hurdle was finding my own identity as a clinician. In a world surrounded by social media, people are always bombarded by different ideas and standards of success. Drowning out the white noise and staying true to the identity I wanted to uphold as a clinician has helped make my personal and business decision that much easier.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
First off, our clinic is based out of a Crossfit Gym in Santa Monica because we truly believe that performance-based physical therapy is a collaboration between healthcare professionals and strength coaches. At our clinic, every session is 60 minutes with a doctorate of physical therapy and every home exercise program is individualized for each client’s goals. Not every client is an athlete, but each person is motivated to maintain an active lifestyle. A majority of individuals who find us are people who have been to other physical therapy clinics and/or received various health services (i.e., cortisone injections, PRP, Surgery) but are still suffering from years of pain and are unable to pursue the activities he/she loves. If you’re tired to cookie-cutter exercise programs and a lack of attention from your health professional, we want to help you make that change to become the strongest version of yourself.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
In the service-based business, everyone talks about word of mouth being the most effective lead generator. However, I have found that in this new generation, social media has been very effective. Whether that’s google reviews, Instagram, TikTok, and/or youtube shorts, people are spending more time online. Find your niche, simplify your message, and promote your business on these social media platforms. Keep in mind all these platforms are free and you DO NOT NEED any paid ads to find a good return of investment.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
EU-Design and Chris Carter Photography

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