Meet Andrea Sun of SOL-3 Physical Therapy, Performance, & Wellness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Sun.

Hi Andrea, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story is not my own, but a narrative of a strong lineage and community of women in my life who have shaped me to who I am. My story doesn’t start with me, but with my grandma who braved a war, restarted her life twice in new countries, and raised many children/grandchildren. My story includes my mom, a single parent taking me to basketball practice/games in between her work schedule. It extends to my older sisters who took on various hats of motherhood, sisterhood, best friends, and role models. It continues with the deep community of support from women around me who have become my mentors and friends. I could not be where I am without them.

Growing up, I loved sports, especially basketball. Cheering on Candace Parker and Kobe Bryant were highlights of being an LA fan. However, I noticed the gaps of visibility for women’s sports and the difficulty to find games on TV. Then when my sister had kids, I dove deeper into the obstacles of women’s health in general medicine related to pregnancy and pelvic floor health. As I grew into my career of physical therapy, I noticed limitations in pelvic health within female athletes with scarce research and attention. This motivated me to specialize in pelvic health and since then I’ve been honored to hear hundreds of stories from women about their journey in athletics, pregnancies, and fitness. These stories have become part of my story in hopes of improving women’s health advocacy in general medicine and sports performance.

This is why I started SOL-3 Physical Therapy, Performance, and Wellness. My mission is to provide a safe space for women to feel empowered to make the best decisions for themselves with the knowledge and resources they deserve. My vision is to bridge the gap of sports and women’s health to create limitless experiences in sport and athletics where women can reach their peak performance. I chose “SOL” because it means “sun” and I hope it reminds all of us that when the sun rises, it is a brand new day for new possibilities.

I am who I am because of the women before me and beside me, and I hope to pay it forward to the community of LA.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a healthcare provider, it can be difficult to achieve work-life balance. I’ve had to learn to lean on others and self-care. In the world of pelvic health, one of the challenges is navigating the limited resources while empathizing with patients in their experience. It can be tiresome, but fulfilling all at the same time. This is why optimizing self-care is imperative because taking care of others can only happen when your cup is filled.

Another challenge that I’ve experienced is “starting over” in a new city. I moved to LA last April and started a whole new network. It was challenging getting used to new pockets of LA, traffic, and establishing a new business. I was lucky enough to have a friend, Dr. Denise Siazon, introduce me to amazing PTs in LA. From these connections, I’ve been able to find amazing mentors and build great experiences with them.

The road has been unexpected, but God has been so good with His timing and His plan.

It’s been a great lesson of surrender and trust.

We’ve been impressed with SOL-3 Physical Therapy, Performance, & Wellness, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a physical therapist and strength and conditioning coach who specializes in pelvic health and sports performance. I started SOL-3 Physical Therapy, Performance, and Wellness as a cash-based concierge business that provides 1-on-1 physical therapy services with a specialty of pelvic health focused on prenatal, postpartum, or other pelvic conditions. I provide concierge services that allow pelvic floor specific clients to feel safe and comfortable in their own homes.

My unique approach is to always listen first and address the body as a whole rather than chasing symptoms. While I specialize in women’s health, my extensive knowledge in sports performance and biomechanics extends to all athletes who want to excel in their goals.

With the short time I’ve lived in LA, I’m proud of the relationships I’ve created and the community I’ve found, including pelvic floor workshops I’ve provided in different gyms and spaces. Since moving to LA, I’ve had the privilege of providing medical coverage for a large badminton tournament, Debbie Allen’s Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, and a charity soccer tournament. In addition, I’ve been able to work with NBA athletes during offseason training, which has been an amazing learning and growing experience.

To learn more about SOL-3 Physical Therapy, Performance, & Wellness, you can contact me through my Instagram @dr.dre_pt or email me at drdresun9@gmail.com. Feel free to contact me if you want to learn more about pelvic floor or for future bookings.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My advice for finding a mentor is being your true self. It starts with being humble in what you think you know, being genuine with your intentions, and being a true investor in the craft. What has worked well for me is full transparency of my goals, capabilities, and expectations. I find that communication is key and being 100% engaged is imperative for mutual growth and development.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sol3ptpw.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.dre_pt/