Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa O’Krent.
Hi Alyssa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a physical therapist with over 12 years of clinical experience and the founder of AOK Physical Therapy. I grew up in the city of Jena and later moved to Austin to attend St. Edward’s University, where I studied psychology and Spanish. After undergrad, I went on to graduate school, which is where I truly discovered the power of working with the human body.
My interest in healthcare started early. I always knew I wanted to help people, but it wasn’t until my dad took me to see a chiropractor that I became fascinated by how hands-on care could make such a meaningful difference in someone’s life. That experience sparked a deeper curiosity about the human body and ultimately led me to physical therapy.
I attended physical therapy school at UT Medical Branch in Galveston and then began my career in Houston at Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Center. During that time, I pursued advanced training and earned my Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) certification, a designation held by only about 6 percent of physical therapists nationwide. That experience elevated my clinical skills and allowed me to move back to Austin, where I continued working in a traditional outpatient setting.
Before starting my own practice, I spent several years doing travel physical therapy assignments in Arizona, Colorado, and California. Those roles gave me exposure to a wide range of patient populations and practice styles, helped me pay off my student loans, and allowed me to save the capital needed to eventually open my own clinic.
Over time, I reached a turning point in my career. Seeing 14 to 20 patients a day made it increasingly difficult to provide the level of care I believed my patients deserved, while also taking care of myself as a provider. I knew there had to be a better way to practice physical therapy.
That realization led to the creation of AOK Physical Therapy. We opened our first location inside Crux Climbing Gym on South Congress and expanded to a second clinician within the first year. Shortly after, we opened a second location inside Crux Central. While operating inside Crux for two years, we had the opportunity to work closely with the rock climbing community, which introduced us to a new and unique niche. Although I am personally a runner and hybrid athlete who enjoys multiple sports and had no previous exposure to climbing, it was an incredible learning experience. Today, runners still make up the majority of our patient population.
We were later invited to partner with Austin Bouldering Project, who welcomed our practice with open arms. We are now located inside Austin Bouldering Project Westgate and Springdale, with a third location opening soon inside the Jewish Community Center this March. Our team has grown to four clinicians, and we continue to pride ourselves on delivering one-on-one, high-quality care for adult athletes.
At AOK Physical Therapy, our mission is simple: to be deeply embedded in the running and active community and to provide thoughtful, individualized care that helps people keep doing what they love for the long term
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As any small business owner knows, the journey is rarely smooth. There are constant hurdles to clear and tough decisions to navigate. That said, one consistent theme for our practice has been synchronicity. Time and again, the right opportunities have shown up exactly when we needed them.
One of our biggest challenges came when we unexpectedly lost our location inside Crux. Due to a dispute between landlords, our business was caught in the middle, and we were at real risk of losing a physical home for our South Austin patients to continue their care.
At the exact right moment, we were welcomed into Austin Bouldering Project, and it has truly been a gift. The alignment with their community, values, and energy has allowed us to continue serving our patients without disruption and to grow in a way that feels authentic and sustainable.
Moments like these reinforce why we do what we do and remind us that even when challenges arise, the right partnerships can turn obstacles into opportunities.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about AOK Physical Therapy ?
AOK Physical Therapy exists to help active adults keep doing what they love, without pain, frustration, or repeated setbacks. We work primarily with runners and adult athletes who care about performance, longevity, and understanding their bodies, not just getting out of pain as fast as possible.
What we’re known for is one-on-one care. Every session is with a licensed physical therapist, for the full appointment. No techs, no bouncing between patients, no rushed visits. That allows us to get to the root cause of an issue, not just treat symptoms, and to create clear, thoughtful plans our clients actually understand and can follow.
We specialize in orthopedic physical therapy and sports-related injuries, with a strong focus on runners. Our team brings advanced clinical training, including orthopedic specialization, and combines that with a deep connection to the local running and active community. We don’t just treat athletes, we train, run, and move alongside them.
What truly sets AOK PT apart is how intentional our model is. We built the practice in response to what wasn’t working in traditional healthcare. Short visits, high volume, and generic care leave people feeling confused and stuck. We do the opposite. We give people time, education, and a plan they can trust, so they leave feeling confident in their body again.
Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is that AOK PT feels human. We are embedded in the communities we serve, we value relationships over volume, and we care deeply about doing right by our patients and our team. Our clinics are welcoming, collaborative spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported.
What I want readers to know is this: AOK Physical Therapy is not just about rehab. It’s about guidance, prevention, and long-term movement health. Whether someone is training for a race, dealing with a stubborn injury, or simply wants to move well for years to come, our goal is to help them move forward with clarity and confidence.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
I wish I knew the power of defining our niche sooner. When you try to serve everyone, it’s harder to clearly communicate your value and even harder to build real traction. Once we leaned into who we were best positioned to serve, active adults and runners who care about performance and longevity, everything became more aligned. Our messaging became clearer, our referrals more intentional, and our community stronger. Knowing exactly who you’re for makes decision-making easier and allows your business to grow with purpose instead of pressure.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aokpt.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aok_pt?igsh=MTZlbDE3YTVoM2N2bw==
