Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Gillespie.
Hi Michael, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey began in 2001 when I graduated from Arizona Automotive Institute in Phoenix Arizona. I began to understand the fundamentals of mechanics in the automotive industry. What I didn’t realize is that I was building a foundation of knowledge that was going to help serve me and my future patients. I found parallels between how cars work and how humans work. If the alignment of a car is off, you start to wear down parts prematurely and unevenly. The same is true with human anatomy, so I have been able to blend my 2 worlds together. In 2002 I became a certified personal trainer and worked at the local gym in El Paso TX where I am from. I began to get clients who had injuries that we had to work around that didn’t fit the traditional personal training model. I would look up physical therapy exercises for them online, and to my surprise, my client’s started to see improvements in their mobility and pain. Someone mentioned to me that I would make a good physical therapist, so I sat down with a physical therapist at his outpatient clinic to discuss what his job duties were. Within 5-10 minutes I knew that was the path I was trying to go down. Helping people return back to normal function and beyond. So I started my undergrad in 2004 and graduated in 2008 at Texas State University in San Marcos with a degree in Exercise Sports Science with a pre-Physical Therapy emphasis. I applied only to the Texas State University Physical Therapy doctoral program, and was able to get in on my first try. I started the program in 2009 and graduated in 2012 with my doctorate degree. After graduation I became a staff physical therapist for an outpatient clinic called Cibilo Creek Physical Therapy in Schertz Texas. I was there for 2 years before moving back to El Paso. Since then, I have worked mainly in outpatient, however I have done home health physical therapy as well as working in an assisted and independent living facilty. From 2012 to 2021 I was a staff physical therapist learning the ins and outs of physical therapy and human anatomy. In 2021 I started my own company. I began with mobile clients during COVID practicing physical therapy, massage, and personal training. August of 2024 I opened my first building which has a massage studio and a private personal training gym for my clients. I still have patients, but that has been exclusive to my mobile practice. It has been such a blessing to be able to help my community reach their maximum potential. Since I graduated in 2012, I have never worked a day in my life. I am so lucky to be in this position, and I am forever grateful to my clients. I know there will be great things for the future, and I am embracing every moment of it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There were struggles while I was working in physical therapy clinics due to the high volume of patients I had to see and all the documentation that came with it, but once I combined all my knowledge and opened my own practice and gym, all the stars lined up and it was smooth sailing after that.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Michanic Shop. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I specialize in physical therapy, massage, and personal training. I am most proud of the fact that I am a one stop shop for human anatomy and function. I also have a YouTube channel that specializes in physical therapy rehab as well as personal training videos (I appreciate the subscribe).
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Seeing my client’s improve their lives and function is the most rewarding thing. It pays my heart.
Pricing:
- Cash based services
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.themichanicshop.com/
- Instagram: @themichanicshopphysicaltherapy
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@themichanicshopphysicaltherapy?si=zbepr4DxCJg-vb2s
