Today we’d like to introduce you to Jensine Chavez.
Hi Jensine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hey y’all! I’m Dr. Jensine Chavez, PT, DPT, and I’m the owner of Shine Through Strength Physical Therapy. My practice is dedicated to helping my clients move with confidence through personalized orthopedic and pelvic floor physical therapy.
The heart behind this work starts with my family. Both of my parents immigrated from the Philippines with a prayer and a dream for a better life for their future family. They met in New Jersey and built that life through faith and relentless hard work. My dad worked three jobs at one point, even walking through the snow from shift to shift during the winters. He’d spend hours at Barnes & Noble studying and mastering the skills needed for the jobs that he trusted God would provide. My parents worked opposite shifts so I didn’t have to go to daycare — a sacrifice I’ll never forget. And even though English wasn’t their first language, they never made excuses. They didn’t just tell me there were endless opportunities to succeed in the U.S. — they showed me. That level of love, grit, and unwavering faith laid the foundation for who I am today. Now, as I look toward starting a family of my own with my husband, Jacob, I want to build a life that allows me to be available and present for our future children — just as my parents were for me.
Growing up with that example of strength and sacrifice shaped so much of who I am. I’ve always known I wanted to help people and that drive really came from seeing my mom live out her passions in her career of nursing. Her compassion and selflessness made a huge impact on me. I saw how she showed up for others, and I knew I wanted to do the same in my own way.
I was first introduced to the world of rehabilitation in high school after I hyperextended my back during a tennis serve. The athletic trainers helped me recover and get back on the court, and I was immediately drawn to that kind of care. I originally thought I’d pursue athletic training, but the long hours didn’t align with the future family life I dreamed of. So I looked into physical therapy and I was immediately hooked. I jumped into the Pre-Physical Therapy Organization my freshman year at Texas State University and never looked back.
The moment that truly changed everything for me was when I observed my first pelvic floor physical therapy session. I was just 20 years old, didn’t even know that specialty existed, and yet I immediately saw how incredibly powerful it could be. Helping someone work through something as personal as incontinence or postpartum pain — things that deeply affect daily life but are rarely talked about — that’s when I knew I found my calling.
I had clinical observations in all kinds of settings during my undergraduate years at Texas State from orthopedics, neuro, pediatrics, and pelvic floor. Orthopedic physical therapy has always been my first love because that’s what helped me personally, but pelvic floor kept pulling at my heart. Fast forward to my 3rd year of PT school at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center…my first clinical rotation was supposed to be in a workers’ comp setting, but plans shifted, and I was placed in an 8-week pelvic floor rotation. It ended up being the biggest blessing. I had the privilege of working with patients going through hysterectomies and prostatectomies, navigating menopause, recovering from abuse or past traumas, and prenatal and postpartum moms. That first rotation showed me firsthand how life changing this work could be.
My first rotation also introduced me to the world of private practice PT. I never thought I’d open my own clinic but looking back, I can see how God was aligning everything. One verse that has carried me through so much and is the foundation of Shine Through Strength Physical Therapy is Joshua 1:9 — “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” That verse became important when my family moved from New Jersey to Texas, and my parents even named my baby brother, Joshua, after it. Though we lost him prematurely, this verse continues to give me strength — especially in moments of uncertainty or big leaps of faith.
That same strength carried me through one of the most meaningful moments in my career. A loved one very close to me was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and after surgery, he began dealing with pelvic floor issues and severe shoulder pain. I was able to use my knowledge in both orthopedics and pelvic floor therapy to support his recovery. This experience gave everything I had studied and worked an even deeper purpose and meaning.
All of those experiences – personal, academic, and spiritual led me to open Shine Through Strength Physical Therapy. I wanted to build a space where I could truly connect with my clients and help them reach their goals without being limited by insurance, rushed through their plan of care, or pushed on corporate directives. My ultimate goal is for my clients’ recovery to be the number one priority and for them to be seen, heard, and truly supported. Opening this practice has been an act of courage, faith, and deep passion. Every day, I’m reminded of how powerful it is when someone feels strong in their body again — and how beautiful healing can be when it’s rooted in strength and purpose.
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?
Let’s be real — starting your own business isn’t just a walk in the park. It’s been an incredibly rewarding journey, but it has also come with its fair share of challenges.
Starting Shine Through Strength Physical Therapy has been a long term goal of mine since getting married and envisioning the life my husband and I want for our future family. It wasn’t a decision made on a whim; it was a dream that I had been praying for and working towards. I wrestled with the question: Should I start it or not? There was so much stability in where I was at the time—why take the risk? But God kept reminding me of Joshua 1:9 and of my goal to help my clients move with confidence.
Even before opening the doors, there were so many things to figure out—from the legal aspects to marketing to setting up the clinic space. It was definitely overwhelming at times, and there were financial uncertainties in the beginning. Building a client base takes time, and there were moments when I had to make tough financial decisions and trust that things would work out. Math isn’t my strong suit and even our personal budgeting can be a challenge, so the idea of managing finances for a whole business felt pretty daunting.
There have been moments where I’ve questioned myself or wondered if I was truly cut out for this. Imposter syndrome is 100% a real thing! I’ve always struggled with confidence and the fear of failure—growing up, my coaches would always tell my parents that I had so much potential if I could just have more confidence in myself. I also wrote one of my PT school admissions essays on my irrational fear of failure and fearing that if I didn’t get into school, I would never reach my goals or live up to the sacrifices my parents made for me. My parents continued to remind me to have confidence, and now Joshua 1:9 takes on a whole new meaning to me. I’ve learned that failure isn’t something to be afraid of; it actually drives me now because it shows me a different approach and teaches me resilience. If God brings you to it, He’ll bring you through it!
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of not trying to do everything myself. Learning to delegate and ask for help has been necessary for my sanity and the growth of my practice. My husband has played a crucial role in my well-being through this whole process—from social media ideas to encouraging me when I’m down and even handling the marketing materials. He has been amazing, and it makes me even more excited to be in business and start our family together!
Throughout it all, my faith has been my anchor. It’s given me the strength to persevere, to trust in the process, and to keep pushing forward even in moments of fear or doubt. Ultimately, the challenges have made me a better business owner, a more resilient person, and even more passionate about the work I do. I’m so thankful for this life and wouldn’t trade the journey for anything.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Shine Through Strength Physical Therapy, I specialize in providing highly personalized, one-on-one care that empowers clients to move with confidence and reclaim their lives. My practice focuses on pelvic floor health, orthopedic rehabilitation, and prenatal and postpartum care, with a particular emphasis on addressing the unique challenges women face throughout different stages of life.
What sets my approach apart is The Confidence Pathway—a three-phase method I’ve developed to provide a structured and empowering framework for my clients’ healing journey:
Phase 1 – Trust: We start by alleviating pain and dismantling compensatory movement patterns. This phase is about helping clients reconnect with their bodies, teaching them how to engage each muscle correctly, and building a solid foundation.
Phase 2 – Challenge: Once trust is established, we introduce more demanding tasks that integrate the previously injured muscles into functional movements. This phase pushes clients towards improved performance and resilience.
Phase 3 – Perform: The final phase focuses on enabling clients to return to the activities they love—whether that’s running a 5K, enjoying a day at the trampoline park with their kids, or experiencing pain-free intimacy with their partners. The goal is for them to move with confidence in every aspect of their lives.
Consistency is absolutely key throughout this process. I’ve observed that some clients, after experiencing initial pain relief in the Trust phase, are tempted to discontinue therapy because they feel better and are eager to return to the activities they love. However, without fully progressing through the Challenge and Perform phases, they risk reverting to old patterns, experiencing setbacks, and essentially starting back at square one. Therefore, I strongly encourage my clients to commit to themselves and the full journey to truly achieve lasting results and regain their independence.
I’m incredibly proud and honored to be a part of the transformations I witness through Shine Through Strength. I’ve had clients start with me just four weeks postpartum—not knowing their bodies after birth and being in so much pain that they avoid going out with friends and connecting intimately with their partners—and then fully eliminate their abdominal swelling, feel confident in their own skin because their C-section scar healed remarkably, and run 5Ks with their baby in tow.
Another client struggled with urinary urgency that disrupted her active lifestyle. She chose to seek help after experiencing an accident in her driveway, leaking the entire contents of her bladder because she couldn’t make it inside to a restroom in time. It was amazing to watch her walk through The Confidence Pathway and return to her active life without the fear of leaking. It’s even more rewarding to keep in touch with her and see how she’s thriving.
What truly sets Shine Through Strength Physical Therapy apart is the holistic approach I bring to each client’s journey. My foundation in orthopedics gave me a deep understanding of the body’s mechanics, but diving into pelvic floor therapy opened my eyes to how interconnected everything truly is—how orthopedic health directly impacts bladder, bowel, and sexual function. As part of that whole-person care, I also provide general nutrition guidance to help clients understand how food can support their healing and long-term strength. My faith grounds me in how I care for others, encouraging me to lead with compassion and integrity, and to offer support that reaches beyond the physical — addressing the emotional and spiritual aspects of healing as well. I strive to create a space where each person feels genuinely cared for, respected, and empowered throughout their journey.
Ultimately, my goal is to empower women to move with confidence in every area of their lives. Whether it’s returning to activities they love or achieving goals they once thought were impossible, I’m here to support them every step of the way.
What makes you happy?
My greatest joys come from living out my faith, loving my family, and helping others through my work. Faith gives me purpose and guidance, and being more involved with my church, Victory City Church, has been an incredible blessing. Joining a small group and volunteering with the kids’ team has deepened my spiritual growth and strengthened my connection with Jacob. It’s also introduced us to an amazing community that continually inspires and uplifts us.
Speaking of Jacob, he’s my rock and a constant source of strength and support. His love and encouragement mean the world to me. He’s been by my side through every challenge, from my undergrad years to PT school, and now in my career. I’m also very grateful for our corgi, Daisy, the athlete of the family who can out-run and out-juke any dog at the park. And of course, our sweet pug, Dexter, who’s all about the cuddles, naps, and endless rounds of puppaccinos. Our furbabies truly add joy to our home!
Professionally, nothing makes me happier than seeing my clients regain their confidence and move without pain. I chose physical therapy over any other career in the medical field because it allows me to truly connect with people and build meaningful relationships. I’m not rushed to see them in 15-minute increments once a year. Instead, I work with them weekly, sometimes even 2-3 times a week for about an hour each session, understanding their goals and helping to achieve them. Witnessing their transformations and knowing I played a role in their healing journey is incredibly rewarding.
Honestly, I also find joy in the simple things—a good cup of coffee (½ caff or decaf these days because I’m a lightweight to caffeine!), a beautiful sunset, spending time outdoors with fresh air, and laughing with loved ones. I’m so grateful for the many blessings in my life, including my parents, who have always stood by me, and my in-laws and siblings-in-law, who have offered immense encouragement, prayers, and support. I love that I’ve gained the siblings my heart has always longed for.
Ultimately, I’m happiest when I feel I’m making a positive impact on our community and living a life filled with love, purpose, and joy.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shinethroughpt/?igsh=MW9zemJtaXprZTV0dg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Shine-Through-Strength-Physical-Therapy/61572976621435/?mibextid=wwXIfr
