Today we’d like to introduce you to Jean Pradel.
Hi Jean , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I got my career started as a Physical Therapist 20 years ago and received my degree from Florida A&M University. The first ten years of my career, I actually worked as a pediatric physical therapist at International Rehab Professionals Inc., where I focused on treating children with Cerebral palsy (CP), Down syndrome, developmental delay, traumatic brain injuries and more.
Approximately ten years ago, I switched gears to begin working with the adult population in an outpatient rehabilitation orthopedic setting, with skilled training in Neurological, Postoperative and Sports-specific rehabilitation. For the past eight years, I worked as the principal Physical Therapist of the successful Physical Therapy Now franchise, which operates more than 50 clinics nationwide and is spearheaded by Andy Zapata. I was with the franchise since it’s inception and played an instrumental role in the rapid expansion of the business in South Florida, prompting me to launch my own clinic in the Hialeah/Miramar area.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has been anything but smooth! A few years ago, I suffered a tragic and rare accident, where I tore both patella tendons (the tendons that hold the top and bottom of your legs together to your knee). Just to put it into context, prior to my injury, I had never personally treated someone with that injury. The recovery was incredibly tough, and it took me three months just to take my first steps. I had to learn to walk again and it took me almost a full year before I made a somewhat full recovery. What I learned is that this setback made me stronger, made me a better therapist and inspired me to open my own clinic.
On Thanksgiving week of 2019, I finally received the keys to my own clinic and was hoping to launch my small business in March of 2020, but little did I know the unprecedented challenges I would face. Aside from the general uncertainties and stresses of launching a business, the pandemic added other layers of challenges, delaying critical aspects of the business like getting the state license to operate my clinic and getting credentialed with insurance companies. Right when I was supposed to open my business, the world had shut down. I honestly didn’t know if I would even get to open and seeing so many businesses shut down because of the pandemic, I was terrified. But, I was already all in and all I could do at this point was to move forward as best as I could. I ended up opening Physical Therapy Now Miramar in June of 2020 and while it has been a tremendous challenge, I am grateful that physical therapy is an essential service in our community. My motto is to help people turn their setbacks into their comebacks. While the road has been incredibly challenging, I am grateful to have been able to launch my business amid a global pandemic and that I can continue helping people overcome their obstacles and live a healthier, happier life.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Physical Therapy Now Miramar?
I am a licensed Physical Therapist with 20 years of experience in an outpatient rehabilitation orthopedic setting, with skilled training in postoperative, chronic pains, Neurologic and Sports-specific rehabilitations. My clinic, Physical Therapy Now Miramar, is a rehab center that aims to deliver an exceptional wellness experience for our patients. We provide our patients with compassionate, comprehensive care for injuries like car accidents, chronic conditions (back pain, neck pain), post-surgical recovery and more. We work closely with our patients to create a customized plan of care to meet their needs and are with them every step of the way on their journey to recovery. Typically, when we treat people, we hear of all kinds of tragic stories and coming to therapy three times a week can be an incredibly difficult challenge. We help people get their life back not just physically, but mentally as well. We encourage our patients and help them through really rough times that they themselves don’t think they can overcome. I am so proud that in just six months of my clinic being open, we have been able to help so many people overcome their setbacks. As a small business owner, so many things can happen that can get me down or throw me off track, especially this past year, but then I see the progress our patients are making, it is all the motivation and reassurance I need that we are making a difference.
How do you define success?
Honestly, there are so many definition of what success is and should be, but to me, there’s nothing more rewarding than helping someone recover from a stroke and become independent or helping someone after losing their legs and teaching them how to walk again. Helping people heal through some of their worst times is why I do what I do. And after suffering my own tragic injury, I understand even better the pain and the fear that you may not be able to get your life back the way that it was before.
Contact Info:
- Email: miramar@physicaltherapynow.com
- Website: https://www.physicaltherapynow.com/miramar/
- Instagram: @ptnowmiramar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PTNowMiramar
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_ryukvdfPfdGzYb0dDXbwA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/physical-therapy-now-miramar-miami-gardens-3
