Broke & Stressed | A PT Student Podcast

A key portion of the PT school application is the personal statement essay and it’s something a lot of applicants struggle with. How do you structure it? What should you talk about? How can I make my essay help me stand out amongst the thousands of applicants? Today Dr. Jasmine M AKA ThePTWriter answers some of these questions and more! We go through her biggest tips for pre-PTs when writing their essays and how she’s mentored students through the entire process. We also go through what I wrote for my own personal statement essay when I first applied for PT school and Dr. Jasmine gives me critiques and feedback on how I could’ve done better.

HER Instagram: @theptwriter

MY SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja

It feels good to look back and reflect on how you’ve grown as a SPT/clinician and that’s exactly what my classmate Miranda and I did in this episode. We talk about the various clinical settings she was in for her internships, how they differed, and the biggest ways she grew from them. Keep in mind this episode was recorded BEFORE we graduated =)

HER Instagram: @mrranduh

MY SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja

One cold, hard truth that hits all PT students like a wall of bricks is this: PT SCHOOL IS HARD. Countless hours of studying and endless stress takes a toll on many of us students so it’s vital that we discover ways to navigate through grad school with our sanity intact. One of my great friends in PT school Colleen gives us her best advice for balancing the rigor of PT school while still taking care of her own mental health.

HER Instagram: @colleenshearer

MY SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja

What is life like after PT school? I - for one - am curious and super nervous because I have no idea what direction to take myself once I get my degree! In this episode of Broke & Stressed, I talk to Jackie about her post grad experience and the process she took to try to figure it all out. We talk through some tips for giving yourself direction as to a career path, as well as discuss the importance of being okay with not being okay.

HER Instagram: @mydptadventures

MY SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja

Clinical rotations can put a student physical therapist in a variety of different locations across the country or even the world. My classmate Lydia gave us some insight into her clinical experience in Hawaii. Part vacation, part clinical, all worth it. I ask her what the pros and cons are of embarking on such an adventure, her top tips for anyone thinking about doing the same thing, and we also reflect on how it feels to be graduating.

HER Instagram: @lydiahunter2

MY SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja

Even as a full-time practicing clinician, you’re never done learning and growing. Today my guest Matt V walks us through his experiences through PT school and afterwards and he addresses how each of these experiences have helped him grow into the therapist he is today. He also provides some tips for new grads and how you can continue to develop your practice after graduation.

HIS Instagram: matt_v_pt

MY SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja

With my first episode back from a long hiatus, I bring on an old undergrad buddy Robby T as we talk about his journey from being wait-listed to moving to a different state for PT school. He tells me about his crazy scramble after getting accepted, how he’s adjusted to his new life, and how he started his very own vlog!

HIS Instagram: @robtolentino23

HIS YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnWKSzeKf4vequG0vCw6oRw/featured

MY SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja

In this episode, I’m joined by Amanda O, a recent grad who’s studying for her NPTE coming up soon! We discuss her experience studying for the big exam, how she’s been managing her stress, and she gives us tips that she’s found helpful along the way. We also talk about her involvement in a variety of different PT-related orgs that function primarily to advocate for the PT profession. We talk about how she got into advocacy, what she does in all these roles, and how other students interested can get involved too.

HER Instagram: @ptgirl14

MY SOCIAL MEDIA
YouTube: Ruben Cabre
Instagram: @rjtehninja

When I first started PT school, I was told that it was going to completely take over my life and that I would have no time for anything else. And while it's true that PT school did take up a majority of my week, I was always determined to do more. I still found time to work, exercise, and hang out with friends. Andrew G is a prime example of all the things you can do while as  a PT student.  Andrew has worked multiple different jobs and has started his own digital marketing side hustle all throughout his time as a graduate student. In this episode, we talked about how he's able to balance it all and he provides some key tips for success to anyone wanting pursue a side hustle as a PT student. We also talk about the importance of mental health as a graduate student and ways to make sure that you are providing yourself with that much needed self-care throughout the stressors you experience.

HIS LINKS
Instagram: @stoicphysiotherapy
https://www.andrewgillihan.com/links

MY SOCIAL MEDIA
YouTube: Ruben Cabre
Instagram: @rjtehninja

Today I spoke with my friend Riki who is a pre-PT student that majored in Kinesiology and minored in Computer Science. We start off learning how Riki got involved in both of these very different fields. She then talks about her journey thus far in trying to get into PT school which includes: studying for the GRE, retaking classes, getting in observation hours and more. She provides some tips for fellow pre-PTs out there struggling or anxious about applying!

HER LINKS
Instagram: @rikimgr

MY SOCIAL MEDIA
YouTube: Ruben Cabre
Instagram: @rjtehninja

Outpatient and inpatient PT are two very treatment different settings within the physical therapy profession. My classmate Jess and I talk about our experiences in both settings and she provides the listeners with some tips on how to succeed in either! We also give out some tips to help prepare PT students out there before their own clinical experiences.

MY SOCIAL MEDIA
YouTube: Ruben Cabre
Instagram: @rjtehninja

The world of E-Sports is growing each year and with this growth, more pro players are experiencing injuries due to lack of education regarding prevention and physical function. Enter Jordan T of Respawn Therapy - a Professional E-Sports PT practice - who provides physical therapy to pro video gamers to keep them gaming for longer and to ensure that they’re playing at their best! Not only has Jordan started a practice to work with a niche that he’s passionate about, he also manages an outpatient clinic. In this episode, we talked about how he got to where he's at and how he received his OCS without doing residency. As always, we finish off the episode with some tips for struggling PT students out there.

HIS LINKS
Instagram: @respawn.therapy

MY SOCIAL MEDIA
YouTube: Ruben Cabre
Instagram: @rjtehninja

Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine and in today’s episode, I get to talk with Kristin T, a new grad who was able to study in Italy for her last clinical experience in PT school. We talk about what she’s learned throughout all her clinicals, her time studying for the boards, and what it was like to be in Italy right before lockdown due to COVID-19. She offers some advice for any PT students before their clinicals, as well as more specific advice for those considering studying abroad.

MY SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja

On today’s episode, I spoke with Jordaine E who shared her experience taking a leave of absence from PT school and then returning. She provides us with some motivational words of wisdom for those struggling through the perils of PT school and she also shares some tips that have helped with her success thus far with her return.

HER LINKS

Instagram: @jordaineenriquez

Tiktok: @jordaineenriquez

Pinterest: jordaineenriquez

YouTube: Jordaine Enriquez

Blog: www.jordaineenriquez.com

MY SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja

Changing careers can be a difficult decision and can be a challenging process to go through. My classmate Matt S tells us his story of how he switched from being a manager at FedEx to enrolling in physical therapy school. He provides great advice to anyone considering making a career switch and describes his experiences thus far (school, clinicals, and more). We also talk about how he plans to integrate PT with his other passion - hiking!

HIS LINKS

Youtube: MattShafter - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClJQzfahPGnDp0p2qL9Am7g

Instagram: @mattshafter

MY SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja

Being a successful personal trainer/coach during PT school sounds impossible right? Well Kevin H is here today to tell you that it is more than possible! Coach Kev has grown his own lucrative personal training business from the ground up, all while undergoing his PT coursework. He has grown so successful he's been featured on several news channels! He provides us with the keys to success for any coach seeking to kill it in the online training space. We also discuss his other business, which focuses on helping other fitness coaches be successful! If you're interested in reaching out to him for questions or to seek coaching advice, I've included links to his social media below!

HIS LINKS
Instagram: @dockevfit
https://www.facebook.com/kevin.hamidi
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/297389881420935/?ref=share

MY SOCIAL MEDIA
YouTube: Ruben Cabre
Instagram: @rjtehninja

After PT school, there are many ways to further your knowledge as a clinician and improve your practice. Going through a residency program is one popular and effective method of doing so and in today’s episode, I spoke with Oliver R, a PT who did an orthopaedic residency at my university. He discusses the differences between residency and fellowship programs and provides tips for those considering one after PT school. He also talks about his recent role in PT research, such as his abstract presentation at CSM, along with getting published in PT in Motion magazine!

SOCIAL MEDIA
YouTube: Ruben Cabre
Instagram: @rjtehninja

In this episode, I talk to one of my good friends Jay M and we discuss his journey to becoming a Doctor of Occupational Therapy. Jay talks about how he overcame some of his initial struggles when applying for grad school such as: being undecided in the beginning of college, having a low-GPA, and more. He provides some really insightful and motivational pieces of advice that any potential grad school student would find useful.

SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja

After completing grad school, there are plenty of opportunities within the field of physical therapy. Some of these opportunities come in the form of continued mentorship while working and some even involve becoming a mentor yourself. One of my previous mentors and role-models Kaitlin M talks about her journey as an outpatient clinician and how she worked hard to earn the role of facility manager. She talks about how she continues to grow and improve her practice to this day, as well as what her plans are for the future.

SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja

Doing well in a clinical rotation can be a stressful and daunting experience. My friend Jane from the University of St. Augustine in California is a third-year student who is nearly done with her final clinical before graduating. She talks about her clinical experiences throughout school and she highlights what she’s learned and tips for students on their future clinicals.

SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja

Choosing a PT school is a big decision and it’s important to consider out-of-state options when choosing what’s right for you. My classmate Marissa discusses what it was like to move to a different state to attend graduate school and tips for those considering doing the same thing.

SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja

I’m joined by my classmate Shar to discuss our first clinical in PT school that took place last summer. Initially, we both did not have a clinical placement but our clinical director was able to get us a clinical at a later time. We talk about our experience, the numerous things we learned, and how we each grew as future clinicians. We also provide PT students with a few useful tips before entering any clinical rotation.

SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja

Mental health is a significant part of our overall well being and is something that is often neglected. Amidst the intense demand of PT school, my classmate Kaleigh and I discuss what we find to be great ways to maintain good mental health.

SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja

In this episode, I’m joined by the lovely Julia, a classmate of mine in PT school. Going into grad school right after college, we discuss what she thought were the greatest differences between the two and how she adapted to have a successful transition.

SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja

This quarantine has been all about learning new things and leveling myself up so I decided why not? I’m going to start a podcast!

For my first episode, I briefly introduce myself and talk about the meaning/purpose behind the podcast.

SOCIAL MEDIA

YouTube: Ruben Cabre

Instagram: @rjtehninja