About Me
Those who know me best describe me as caring and resilient. I hold myself to a high standard in everything I do and do not settle for the lowest expectations. I greatly value accountability and consistent effort. Key challenges in my life have strengthened my ability to adapt, persist, and stay focused on long-term progress. As a future physical therapist, I aim to apply these qualities through patient-centered care and a strong commitment to helping others improve function and quality of life.
"The only person you should compare yourself to is the person you were yesterday"
-Amy Morin (Psychotherapist/Bestselling Author)
Professional Experiences
01
Switching Career
Paths
(2022-2023)
I had to display resilience the most during this time, because it was the most challenging, scary time in my life. I was a a sports management major at IUPUI to begin the year, then I realized that even though I loved sports, I didn't want to work on the business side of it, because I wasn't enjoying any of the classes I was taking. On top of that, I learned that around 80% of sports management entry level jobs are sales positions, which I was not interested in going through. I wanted to have the security of knowing what I wanted to do coming out of college. I knew deep down, however, that I needed to switch majors. I wasn't enjoying myself or what I was doing with sport management.
During this time, I had to develop a higher level of self-awareness and critical thinking by honestly recognizing that even though I loved sports, the path I was on wasn’t right for me. Making the decision to leave sports management required me to step outside of my comfort zone and take ownership of my future, which strengthened my professionalism and commitment to long-term goals over short-term comfort. As I became more involved in weight training, I also began learning how to apply discipline and consistency. Traits that translated into my academics and career decisions. I have immense confidence in pursuing physical therapy, knowing it aligns with my passion for fitness and my desire to help others improve their quality of life.
The images above and below are from my first powerlifting meet in Bloomington, Indiana in July 2023.
Pictured above are some therapists and technicians I had the pleasure of working with during my time at Athletico in Plainfield, Indiana.
02
Working For Athletico
Physical Therapy
(June 2023 - August 2025)
If I wanted to become a Physical Therapist, I knew that I needed hands on professional experience in a clinic setting to get the attention of PT School administrators when they view my application. I was given the opportunity to apply for a Rehab Aide position at an Athletico Outpatient Clinic by one of my professors, and I took advantage of it. This job would also help me decide if physical therapy really was the career I wanted.
Not only did this job answer that question, it answered it with an emphatic YES. Being in a clinic setting, I:
-
Gained an understanding of how PT clinics operate on a business level
-
Learned how to effectively operate in a high stress environment.
-
Learned how to personally connect with patients while still carrying a professional demeanor.
-
Learned about what exercises and/or treatment modalities work for each of the physical ailments we see in most of our patients.
Above all else, the relationships I built with clinicians and patients pushed me to grow in my communication and interpersonal skills. I learned how to adjust the way I speak depending on the patient, whether that meant encouraging someone who was frustrated with their progress or clearly explaining exercises so they felt confident doing them on their own. Working alongside physical therapists also strengthened my teamwork, as I had to anticipate needs, stay organized in a fast-paced environment, and contribute to a smooth clinic flow. This experience helped me become more aware of others and reinforced my desire to pursue physical therapy, because I saw firsthand how strong communication and trust can directly impact a patient’s recovery.
03
IUI Student Research UROP Project (January 2025 - December 2025)
The Indiana Undergraduate Research
Conference (IUURC) marked the second time I had ever presented on research that I was helping conduct, and it was a fantastic experience that I will learn from for future presentations. I was tasked with creating a 10-15 minute slideshow displaying my work, under faculty mentor Dr. Monica Hubal, during the spring and fall 2025 semesters on the relationship between intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) and Resistance Training.
I worked with a Ph.D. student and another undergrad student on sorting and organizing discs filled with MRI images of the muscles of the upper arm taken on subjects from a previous study. These untrained subjects were either put through a 12 week resistance training program or they were used as a control. The images were taken pre and post program to observe changes in CSA as well as changes in Muscle Quality (MQ).
This experience strengthened my critical thinking as I worked through the process of organizing complex MRI data and understanding how it would be used for deeper radiomic analysis in the next phase of the study. Collaborating with a Ph.D. student and another undergraduate also developed my teamwork skills, as we had to stay organized, communicate clearly, and ensure accuracy in our work. Presenting at IUURC further pushed me to improve my communication skills by explaining technical concepts like IMAT and muscle quality in a way that others could understand. This experience has been especially meaningful to me because it directly connects to the patient population I’ve worked with in the clinic, reinforcing my ability to apply both research and clinical perspectives as I continue working toward a career in physical therapy.
Pictured above is me presenting to an audience at IUI Research Day in April 2025.
Pictured above is an example of what we were examining in our research: A CSA image of the upper arm.
This is a picture of me and my InShape client on our last day working together at NIFS in November 2025.
04
KINE-P 443 Internship
In Physical Education
(August 2025 - November 2025)
After three years in the exercise science classroom, it was time to apply my knowledge in the real world in my KINE - P 443 class. I had the opportunity to work with a real client as a part of the Indiana University INSHAPE program for 8 weeks at the National Institute of Fitness and Sport (NIFS).
I was given full autonomy over meeting with the client to conduct a needs analysis assessment, working with her to establish individualized S.M.A.R.T goals, and creating an exercise prescription aiming to help her reach them. I incorporated all of the main fitness modalities (cardio, resistance training, flexibility) into her program. I also made sure to follow the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines regarding volume and intensity of each exercise so I could ensure an evidence - based approach to training.
This experience strengthened my critical thinking and professionalism, as I had to design and adjust an evidence-based program tailored to my client’s specific needs while staying within ACSM guidelines. It also developed my communication skills, as I worked closely with my client to set realistic goals, provide feedback, and ensure she understood how to perform each exercise safely and effectively. Through this process, I gained confidence in my ability to take ownership of a client’s progress, reinforcing my growth in career and self-development as I prepare to transition into a future role as a physical therapist.
05
KINE-P 410 Ability
Fitness Clinic
(August 2025 - November 2025)
In my KINE-P 410 class, I spent the semester working one-on-one with a client with disabilities to design and implement exercise sessions that supported his functional abilities and overall quality of life. Working with my client taught me how to adapt exercises quickly, plan thoroughly, and communicate effectively with someone who has significant physical and cognitive limitations. I learned to modify movements based on how he felt that day, simplify tasks when needed, and rely on body language instead of verbal cues. Managing time and space efficiently also became important, as I had to structure sessions that minimized transitions and broke movements into clear, achievable steps.
This experience also helped me grow personally. My client taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of seeing the individual rather than the disability. My initial assumptions faded as I learned his personality and saw his progress, which helped me challenge stereotypes and understand the value of working at the client’s pace.
This experience strengthened my communication and awareness of others, as I learned how to adjust my approach based on my client’s abilities and rely on both verbal and nonverbal cues to effectively guide sessions. It also developed my critical thinking, as I had to make real-time decisions and modify exercises to meet his needs on any given day. Through this process, I grew in professionalism and career development by taking responsibility for creating a safe, structured, and supportive environment. This experience has prepared me to provide adaptable, patient-centered care as I continue pursuing a career in physical therapy.
This is an image of my Ability Fitness Clinic client receiving the "Client of the Week" award.
.jpeg)
This is an image me assisting my client on an exercise during our session.
Pictured above is the NeuroHope Team of Physical Therapists, Neurological Exercise Specialists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech Therapists I had the pleasure of working with.
06
KINE-P 393 External
Internship Experience
(January 2026 - May 2026)
My KINE-P 393 External Internship at NeuroHope gave me meaningful hands-on experience working with individuals with neurological conditions while helping me grow in both clinical skills and professionalism. My responsibilities included assisting with patient transfers, supporting therapists during treatment sessions, helping techs with maintenance tasks like laundry and cleaning, treating two clients during the final five weeks of the internship, communicating with patients and staff, and developing my internship project, Core of Steel, to add a core-strengthening station to NeuroHope’s Multi-Fit program.
One major learning outcome was developing practical clinical skills, especially in patient handling and transfers. Early in the internship, I learned that safe transfers require much more precision, communication, and trust than I originally realized. I also learned that transfers are highly individualized and must be adapted to each patient’s abilities rather than applying one method to everyone.
A second significant learning experience was receiving difficult feedback and learning from mistakes. Midway through the internship, being placed on a performance improvement plan was a wake-up call that pushed me to reflect on professionalism, patient-centered behavior, and accountability. That experience helped me grow in self-awareness and reinforced the importance of safety, boundaries, and representing myself professionally in a healthcare setting.
A third major learning experience was developing and implementing my internship project. Through creating Core of Steel, I gained experience in research, teamwork, communication, and program development. I collaborated with staff, surveyed participants, used evidence-based research to select exercises, and designed a program tailored to the needs of patients with spinal cord injuries and stroke. This experience showed me how exercise science can be applied to solve real clinical problems.
Overall, this internship strengthened my confidence, improved my communication and professionalism, and gave me a clearer understanding of what it means to work in neurorehabilitation. It also confirmed my interest in physical therapy and helped prepare me for PT school by giving me a stronger foundation in both patient care and professional growth.