Meet Patrick Sneed | Physical Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Patrick Sneed and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Patrick, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
Only broke people sleep or you sleep when you die! I never agreed with this type of logic. If you are working or building a business and not getting rest, you won’t go too far. Your body or your mind will shut down on you. Rest and resetting is essential in recovery and planning. Unfortunately the systems that we live under make us feel guilty for resting and sleeping. There is a grind/hustle culture that makes something that is supposed to be temporary, a lifelong commitment. Grinding with less sleep or rest than normal is supposed to be for a season. As a healthcare professional I understand that people who get less sleep die younger and have more preventable diseases than people who don’t sleep. It’s when you regulate your digestive system, cardiopulmonary system, and when inflammation decreases as you heal. I also understand that in business if you have to work so much that you can’t get sleep, then you have a problem with planning your systems efficiently, delegating, or you have control issues. If you’re not getting sleep/rest it’s time to sit back and figure out why. I love me a good nap. When I feel the most sense of accomplishment is when I help one of my clients get back to sleeping without pain and discomfort. I recently worked with an ex Marine that had multiple injuries and surgeries that didn’t allow them to sleep on their right side for years. After working for several months on decreasing pain, improving mobility, and some health coaching they are now able to sleep and rest no matter how they sleep. “You were not born to center your entire existence on work and labor. You were born to heal, to grow, to be of service to yourself and community, to practice, to experiment, to create, to have space, to dream, and to connect.” -Tricia Hersey from the nap ministry

What should our readers know about your business?
Was it easy? Not at all. No one gets to see the work that you put in to take something out of your head and make it a reality. At Active Body Physiotherapy we focus on educating patients about the different ways to heal your body while also maintaining a high level of physical activity to the best of your capabilities. I began this journey of becoming a rehab professional while in high school. During my sophomore year, I tore my ACL while playing football and had to have surgery to repair that ligament. I then had to go through extensive rehabilitation in order to return to the field. I had physical therapists that helped me along the way and decided that I could also choose this as a profession. I eventually returned back to football and also played at the collegiate level at Tennessee State University (2001). I then attended Howard University (2009) to begin my physical therapy studies. While pursuing my Physical Therapy degree at the real HU, I began to notice that I did not have the best physical therapists while recovering from ACL surgery. I realized that I did not know much information about how or when I could return back to football while I was in high school. I did not know when I could stop wearing my knee brace, how strong my knee needed to be, and how to build up the stability needed in order to play this full contact sport. I decided then that none of my patients would ever have that feeling of uncertainty. I believe that with my experience as a collegiate athlete and a medical provider I can give my clients the amount of compassion, empathy, and knowledge needed in order to return to their full functional capacity. While attending Howard university I had the opportunity to train under great leaders in our field including the University of Maryland athletics department, Walter Reed Army Medical center, and other privately owned physical therapy practices. While at Walter Reed Army Medical center I had the opportunity to treat the first quadruple amputee. This young man was just 19 years of age and lost all of his limbs. I always use him as an example of striving forward in the face of adversity. If this young man can get up everyday to learn how to walk again and live a full life than we can do anything. So the challenges I have faced in building this practice or dealing with any life challenge does not compare to what I’ve been able to experience while helping him walk again.

I once had a boss who said that he was envious of the amount of empathy I have for my patients. I laughed and said that it’s sad that he did not have any empathy for his. Why would you be in a profession that people come to you for help and have no empathy for their injuries? I believe that when someone walks through my doors that they should be heard, understood, and educated about their injuries. I believe that everyone should be well informed about their choices in healthcare so that they can make the best decision possible. I once had a client who was a truck driver. He tore his rotator cuff tendon in his shoulder which did not allow him to continue working. He came to me for therapy and we were able to get him to full mobility and good strength after about 3 months. He still had some pain but was 90% functional. The current research only improves shoulder function about 5% after rotator cuff surgery. After educating my client with this and other factors he declined surgery and was able to return to his job as a truck driver. I give each client the same type of knowledge about their injures and which allows them to make the best decision for them and their families. Active Mind, Active Body, Active Life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love places that have a lot of choices so one of my favorite areas of the city is Chattahooche Food Works. They have a lot of restaurants to choose from and they also have a place called “Your 3rd Spot” which has games, bowling, and some bars inside.

Another area I love is Politan Row at colony square. Multiple food options and a speak easy in the back. The atmosphere is very chill with plenty of areas to sit to enjoy your food. They also have events throughout the year with ice skating, movies on the green, and food tastings.

Lastly, you can’t go wrong with Ponce City Market. They have some great restaurants and some nice seafood. They also have some great shopping. On the roof there are games and another secret speak easy overlooking the city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to thank a few people. The first is my Mom. She grew up in the early 70s. As a young woman she had dreams of going to the military but her Father wouldn’t allow her to because of homophobia. My Mother isn’t LGBTQ but his fear was that she would turn that way, but as she would tell it, it’s quite the opposite. She also had dreams of becoming an electrician but at that time the patriarchy said that women couldn’t go to school to become electricians. She had many barriers that told her that she couldn’t pursue her goals and I believe it held her back from doing what she wanted. I also believe that is why she didn’t put those barriers on her kids. She supported us as much as she could and allowed us to make our own choices in life in what we wanted to do with it. I appreciate her for that.

Secondly, I would like to thank my friend and another business owner, Gordon. He allowed me to start my clinic in his crossfit gym early on. He gave me the space to help grow a presence and be able to make mistakes in my business without it being detrimental. He also gave me business advice when needed and helped refer clients to my practice from time to time. He was and continues to be an essential ear to listen and supporter of my practice.

Third, I would like to thank my partner Sammy. She works in accounting and is a fashion influencer in the city of Miami. She has been there since the beginning of me transitioning from a part time practice owner in the gym to a full time practice owner in my own space in the city of Atlanta. Her encouragement and support has helped me to get through some hard times.

Lastly, I would like to thank one of my long time friends, Jiyan. She is a personal trainer and health coach who helps women achieve the fitness/health goals they have been struggling to achieve alone. She has built a huge online community of clients who support each other in their journey. We used to work together early on in our careers and she has also trusted me to help her in the past with any injuries that she has suffered. She also refers her clients to me when they have injuries or anything needing attention from a physiotherapy perspective. Her support does not go unnoticed.

Website: https://www.activebodyphysio.org

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