When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time in dance studios with teachers who were true mentors. They taught me not only the joys of dance, but also how to care for myself physically and emotionally. It was hard and disciplined work, but dance wasn't approached like a competitive sport. It was, rather, a means of self-expression and community. I tended to be shy and reserved back then, but I always was comfortable in my own skin when I was dancing.
During my high school years—a time when I was consumed with dance—my grandfather had an accident on his farm that required extensive rehabilitation. I observed the restorative work of the caring and motivating physical therapists who were instrumental in his recovery. That experience and my love of dance together led me toward a career in physical therapy, because I wanted to help others move their bodies freely. I did not want to let go of my artistic pursuits, though. So, while I pursued my prerequisites for physical therapist education as an undergraduate at Centre College in Kentucky, I danced as part of a major in dramatic arts.