My name is Mary Alexandra Pavlantos PT, DPT, CBIS. I was born and raised in the gorgeous landscape of Albuquerque, New Mexico, a paradise filled with a potpourri of animals and love. One day, however, my idyllic life was abruptly upended. My father had a terrible rollover car accident that resulted in a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), one which changed our lives forever.
Finding Purpose
My high school years were another testing ground with bullying, shootings, and high gang activity. Despite these challenges, I resolved to focus on my academics and sports, notably basketball and track. I cultivated relationships with everyone around me, from the drama crew to my fellow athletes.
Seeking a fresh start, I moved away to attend Whittier College in Southern California on a full academic scholarship. My passion for sports continued, and I even played college basketball until a knee injury ended my athletic career prematurely.
Through my personal experience of rehabilitation, I discovered my calling in physical therapy. Graduating in 2006 with a degree in Kinesiology & Leisure Science, my purpose became clear: to help individuals strive toward functional goals, improving their quality of life. It was my personal encounter with loss and trauma that made me appreciate each day as a blessing, and I believe in God’s plan, even when it’s challenging to understand.
Healing from the Past
The global pandemic has placed a spotlight on health and fitness, a cause I hold dear. I am a COVID survivor. The brutal bout of the Delta variant in September 2021 was a frightening experience. But I took it head-on. I was determined to pull through for my children, who watched helplessly as the illness took its toll.
While still recovering from COVID, a wildfire swept through Colorado, creating another traumatic experience. I also had to deal with the fallout of a divorce. It was as though a floodgate of past traumas had burst open all at once, revealing a lifetime of hardships I had yet to heal from.
Even through the darkness, I found light and hope. I found it through therapy, faith, friends, and a firm belief in a brighter tomorrow. I found it in my connection with The Divine as an empath. I saw visions of my loved ones at peace, which comforted me and guided me through my journey of healing.
2020 was a year of tumultuous change, but it taught me a lot. I learned to deal with loss, pain, and grief. I learned to embrace change. And most importantly, I learned that my past does not define me. I am not a victim of my circumstances, but a survivor who turned the trials into triumphs.
I believe in the power of positivity. I’ve witnessed its impact in my own life, in the way it has helped me weather numerous storms. I try to imbue this positivity in my clients, encouraging them to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I want them to know that they are stronger than they think, and they can overcome whatever challenges they face.
And through it all, through every high and low, every triumph and defeat, I’ve learned one crucial lesson: healing is not a linear process. There are good days and bad days, steps forward and steps backward. But it’s all part of the journey, all part of the process.
Impacting Lives
Being a business owner isn’t easy, but I cherish every moment of it. My company, Roots Physical Therapy and Wellness LLC, is my heart and soul. I’ve poured my blood, sweat, and tears into building it from scratch. But I am rewarded with every smile I see on my patients’ faces, with every ‘thank you’ I receive. There’s no greater satisfaction than watching someone regain their strength, their mobility, their independence.
Running Roots Physical Therapy and Wellness LLC is a dream come true. Every day, I get the chance to make a positive impact on someone’s life. I get to guide them on their journey to recovery and watch as they reclaim their lives, their independence. It’s an honor and a privilege I do not take lightly.
One significant aspect of my work is my specialization in traumatic brain injuries. My father’s accident all those years ago left a deep impact on me. Now, I strive to help others navigate their own healing journeys. I understand their fears, their frustrations. And I let them know they’re not alone. That we can overcome these challenges together.
Spiritual Connection
My relationship with my body has evolved throughout this journey. From feeling disconnected and out of sync, I’ve learned to listen to it, to understand its needs, to give it the love and care it deserves. I’ve learned that healing is not just about the physical, but also the mental, emotional, and spiritual. I’ve learned that our bodies are incredible vessels of strength, resilience, and healing.
There’s a certain magic in acknowledging your vulnerabilities, in embracing your imperfections, in celebrating your quirks. It’s in these moments of self-realization that we truly connect with our authentic selves. It’s a constant journey of unlearning and relearning, of shedding old layers and embracing the new. And in this process, we rediscover ourselves in the most beautiful ways.
My patients, too, have been instrumental in my journey. Each one of them is a testament to the power of the human spirit, to the resilience that lies within us all. Their strength inspires me, motivates me, pushes me to continue learning, growing, and evolving.
I’m a big believer in the power of community. In the strength that comes from standing together, supporting one another, lifting each other up. In the magic that happens when we unite in the face of adversity, when we choose love over fear, hope over despair.
Words of Wisdom
As I navigate this beautiful, chaotic, messy journey called life, I want to share a few insights that have helped me along the way.
First, remember that you are enough, just as you are. You don’t need to prove yourself to anyone. You are beautiful, unique, and worthy of love and respect.
Second, trust the journey. Embrace the uncertainties, the unknowns, the surprises, for it’s in the journey that we grow, learn, and evolve.
Third, celebrate your victories, big and small. Each step forward, no matter how small, is a testament to your strength, courage, and resilience.
And finally, remember to extend kindness, not just to others but also to yourself. Treat yourself with compassion, gentleness, and love. You are doing the best you can, and that’s more than enough.
Be the Light
I’ve learned that every person has a unique story. Each of us has our own trials and tribulations. But what unites us is our capacity to overcome, to grow, and to heal. That’s the true beauty of the human spirit. And that’s the legacy I want to leave behind – a beacon of hope, resilience, and healing.
Here I stand, strong and proud, a survivor, a healer, a mother, a friend. My story is one of trials, but more importantly, of triumphs. I hope my journey inspires you to see the light in your own life, to believe in your strength, and to never give up, no matter what. Because no matter how dark the night is, the sun always rises. No matter how difficult the path may seem, there is always a way forward.
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Important Links
- Visit Roots Physical Therapy and Wellness Website – Click Here.
- Read Digital Version of the Issue – Click Here.
- Visit Instagram Page of Mary Pavlantos – Click Here.
