We recently had the chance to connect with Doug Levine and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Doug, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
Everything. I think that there is this belief that we have to have it all together, have to have all the answers, and be on top of everything, all the time. One of my favorite things I’ve heard/read is “everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” I find this to be incredibly true. We are all struggling with something. The more we show our vulnerability and ask for help with the things we are struggling with, the more connected we feel and the more it brings us closer together. .
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Doug Levine and I own and run Growing Places Therapy Services, a pediatric therapy company. I do many things under this company. I see kids for PT in their homes and in the community, I am a school physical therapist, I help run the muscular dystrophy clinic at Dell Children’s Neurology, and I consult with CureDuchenne, a Duchenne muscular dystrophy advocacy group. With all of these facets of my job, I am trying to improve the quality of children’s lives and increase their independence as much as possible. Over the last five years, with CureDuchenne, I have traveled the world teaching, supporting, and raising awareness for muscular dystrophy in lower/middle income countries. I am very proud of how much has been accomplished and how we are raising the standard of care for these patients that desperately need better care.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
What breaks the bonds between people is thinking that we are so very different from one another. This creates distance, gaps in connection, fear and distrust. When we see another as ourself, as someone worthy of love and dignity and respect, this restores these bonds and connections.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain when I realized that we all experience pain at one time or another. Hiding my pain created more distance between me and others. When I started sitting with my pain and sharing it with those I felt safe to do so, I began to release a lot of built-up pain and sadness. This had the effect of bringing me closer to others as well as feeling lighter in general.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
That pho is, by far and away, the greatest food on earth.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
I can feel it in my body. I have a lot of confidence that I can do a lot of things really well, but when I am in over my head or pursuing something that I shouldn’t, I can feel it in my body. My nervous system goes haywire. This is something I have only recently begun listening to. I think it was always there, but it wasn’t until I started paying attention that I realized I am very sensitive to it and now it has become my north star.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.growingplacestherapy.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-levine-844386302/
- Facebook: Douglas Levine, PT
