CEO x 2
I am a single mother and the owner of a constantly growing boutique physical therapy business in Austin, Texas. Does that make me Fierce? Hell yes. Has being Fierce ever been a goal? No. But sometimes, that intensely amazing, glass ceiling-shattering badassery that ALL of us women are born with just can’t help but present itself.
And now that I’m here - CEO of both my work and home - what can I say that I’ve learned? Here’s a light-hearted list.
There is always a light that shines… in you.
My late aunt Joan, who also was a physical therapist and small business owner, used to have a word of advice. “Go to the light,” she would say. This can be interpreted in so many ways, all of them beautiful.
Be positive. See the good in others - both in your work environment and in your family. Steer clear of negative. Persevere through challenges with the unwavering knowledge that you are a diamond and therefore the hardest rock on the planet.
See your light. See a light. See the light – even if it’s just blinking on your coffee maker in the morning that signals the start of another day of hard work. (I love that light myself.)
Stand up – both figuratively and literally.
I bought a sit-to-stand desk a few years ago and it literally transformed my life – mainly at work and home.
Standing is much better for your health than sitting. You build strength as you work. You elongate muscles that would otherwise shorten and tighten up on you if you were in a chair. It makes your cardiovascular system work just a little bit harder which, also, is wonderful for you. After just a week of using my standing desk, I found I had even more stamina at work and at home. I am not the mom who sits on the sidelines of my child’s sporting events. I stand.
But beyond the health benefits, I saw very quickly the symbolism of my new work set-up. I don’t take my days sitting down. I am standing, ready for each client, each interaction. A standing desk says seize the day.
So stand up ladies. Life is now. Get moving.
Drink water.
Being a female CEO undoubtedly entails providing enormous amounts of value to your organization. As a small business owner, I am continuously focused on quality over quantity. I want to provide the best clinical care to each client I see.
To perform my best, I must fuel my body and stay hydrated. My clients often remark how big the water jug is in my office. My water bottle is my sturdy sidekick. It keeps my body going through the day’s demands – from dawn to dusk. Without it, I would probably be lying on the floor. And there’s no time for that.
……
Sophia Maines, Physical Therapist and Owner of Sun Physical Therapy.
Sophia has nearly 15 years of experience in orthopedic physical therapy. She holds a doctor of physical therapy degree from the University of Kansas Medical Center. She is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and APTA-certified Orthopedic Specialist. She has practiced in Massachusetts, Maryland, and Texas. She opened Sun Physical Therapy in 2016.
To book a physical therapy appointment with Sophia, email info@sunphystherapy.com or call (512) 522-6447.