Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydelle Gray.
Hi Sydelle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was about 7 or 8 my parents went through a nasty divorce which was had on everyone. I split time between 2 houses with parents that were not on speaking terms. I ended up moving school districts which at the time was very scary. How do you know you will make new friends? But since 6th grade, I have actually had the same group of people, and added more since college.
I have been in softball since I was 5, and worked until I was able to play NCAA DII at Maryville University, where I was part of the 2016 Hall of Fame team. I had played on many select teams and had multiple roles as team captain which helped shape my outlook on responsibility and life quite honestly.
I had a lot of other hobbies as well between playing different instruments (double bass/electric bass, guitar, ukulele, and drums), drawing. archery, horseback riding when I was younger, photography, and videography.
When I was in high school I was really struggling to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I knew that I did not want to sit at a desk for a job that felt meaningless, and I could not make a life long career out of softball. I was interested in art/photography and graphic design, architecture, and culinary school. But none of those options felt like my true calling for a life long career. I ended up getting hurt by sliding into a base, knocking my knee cap down a few centimeters and threatened my softball scholarship opportunity. I went to physical therapy and recovered within 3-4 weeks and was able to play again. That was a big moment when I decided that this would be something that I could do with my life. I love being active and wanted to contribute to society by helping people feel good about themselves.
So I applied to the Doctorate of Physical Therapy program at Maryville University and got in. I thought that I wanted to work with athletes only but in my clinical work, I had a patient that cried out of joy to be able to walk her dog down the street. That is when I realized that I want to help people walk their dogs, get to the mailbox, play with their grandkids, and/or return to the sport that defines their life. I wanted to help people get back to being themselves again.
During my schooling, my softball career had come to an end senior year and I needed to find something to do with myself. I had been active my entire life and being a softball player was my identity. I had told my fiancé (now husband) how I would love to do a martial art or something along those lines once softball ended. So he said, “well Google it and lets find you a place”. This Google search led me to finding Lyndell Institute of Tae Kwon Do. I did a trial class and have not looked back since–this was in 2017. Now Tae Kwon Do has become one of the biggest parts of my life. I got married, graduated with my Doctorate, gone through loss, becoming a partner in my company and opening a physical therapy clinic, and so many other things since starting my martial arts journey. Being a part of the Chung Do Association has given me so much fulfillment in training but also teaching. Its another way for me to help people be the best version of themselves that they can be, and I love it.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road emotionally throughout my path. I have a lot of trauma from my childhood with my parent’s divorce, I have had some unsuccessful relationships that were big traumatic struggles in high school and collage, I have lost friends for different reasons (falling out and suicide) that had affected me a lot, and PT school was very difficult to go through while trying to find myself and the person that I was happy being.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
PEAK is the biggest privately owned outpatient physical therapy company in the country. I am currently the Director Physical Therapist at our Downtown Chesterfield location. I treat all different types of injuries including generalized orthopedic pre operative/post operative conditions, chronic pain, vestibular/balance problems, strains, sprains, deconditioning, and sports conditioning. I am certified in dry needling, and use cupping, blood flow restriction, myofascial work (hands on and with tools), electrical stimulation, and ultrasound to help progress my patients. What sets me apart from others is that I take the time to perform a lot of hands on techniques and make sure that my patients are doing a variety of exercises. We do not do the same 5 exercises every time. I listen to what they are feeling and struggling with and cater my visit with them based off of that. I would like readers to know that at my clinic you are a name, a person with a life, not a number or dollar sign. You will always be heard and I will help you to the best of my abilities every session.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Currently there will always be need for therapy. There is always shifts in techniques, knowledge, and services based off the continued research that we do. The biggest shift we have seen is direct access in Missouri. Now you are able to attend therapy for 10 visits or 30 days (whichever comes first) without a medical physician script.
Pricing:
- Based off insurance
- Self pay rate (no insurance): $75
Contact Info:
- Website: https://peaksportspine.com/locations/downtown-chesterfield/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peaksportspine/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peaksportandspine
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peak-sport-and-spine
