My Physical Therapist Story – “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.”
Inspired by Susan Jeffers
In 2016, at 28 years old, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life. With tears in my eyes, I left my family, friends, and a small private physical therapy business I had built. I boarded a plane from the Philippines to Florida, carrying nothing but my faith and a fierce desire for something greater.
After training in Florida, I moved to Illinois to begin my career as a traveling physical therapist. Every few months, I found myself in a new clinic, surrounded by new faces and new ways of practicing. During lunch breaks, I would quietly observe other therapists, studying their techniques, their interactions, their results. I wasn’t competing with them; I was learning. After each assignment, I’d ask myself the same question: How can I become better? What will set me apart?
That question led me to a new kind of fear. Could I really start my own practice again in a new country? And if I did, why would patients choose me over anyone else?
Instead of letting that fear stop me, I treated it as a challenge. I realized that what separated an ordinary therapist from an exceptional one wasn’t just care, it was Skills. That revelation became the name and identity of my future clinic: Skillz Physical Therapy, an expert-led physical therapy clinic dedicated to helping patients recover faster and live pain-free.
I noticed that many good therapists relied on the same familiar methods, which often left their approach one-dimensional. To stand out, I knew I had to master more techniques than anyone around me. So while others used their paid time off for vacations, I used mine to learn. I traveled from Illinois to California, to Michigan, Princeton, New Jersey, and to anywhere offering advanced courses that could help my patients heal faster. I studied, practiced, and invested in tools that would elevate my results.
At the time, few clinics were willing to invest in newer, advanced technologies. I saw that as an opportunity. Introducing Class IV Laser Therapy positioned Skillz Physical Therapy in Evanston IL as a clinic unafraid to innovate when others hesitated. But beyond the technology, what truly defines this journey is the courage to grow, to keep learning, and to face fear head-on.
The truth is, the path to becoming a better therapist wasn’t easy. It demanded sacrifice, humility, and persistence. But as Susan Jeffers said best: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”
That’s the story behind Skillz Physical Therapy—built not on comfort, but on courage.
Aime Maranan, PT
Skillz Physical Therapy
839 Dodge Ave, Evanston, IL 60202
www.skillzpt.com | (847) 859-6240
If you or a loved one are dealing with pain or discomfort, schedule an appointment today and see how Skillz Physical Therapy can help you move, heal, and thrive.
Request an appointment with Aime Maranan and see how physical therapy can help you today!
Tags: Expert-Led Physical Therapy Clinic, Skillz Physical Therapy, Skillz Physical Therapy in Evanston IL