Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Olenchuk.
Hi Pamela, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
When I was a young girl, my parents where missionaries in Haiti. I feel in love with the people and culture. We used to go help at a country hospital, and many people were in such need of help. They had terrible medical issues, but just had the greatest attitude. I decided I wanted to become a doctor and return to help these people. When I was applying to med school, I just felt this pull to go different way. I didn’t know much about Physical Therapy, but applied to the program. I will never regret that decision.
It has been my joy to be a PT for the last 34 years. I have specialized in pediatrics and the youth population. I have one client who just graduated from PT school, and I am going to her wedding next year. I started seeing her as a baby with cerebral palsy. She kept returning to me to try to concur new challenges… running track in school, trying out for a military school, then shadowing me for PT hours. This is the part of the job I love the most. Building relationships with kids, teenagers, and adults who have lost something. Clients who had an injury or diagnosis that pulls them away from doing what they love. Trying to find a way to build their spirits is what I love about the job. Helping them in a time that is so low for them but showing them it’s just a speed bump. Surrounding them with other people in their same situation and helping them fall in love with exercise as a lifestyle.
About 10 years ago I was able to return to Haiti. The University orthopedic surgeons group took a biyearly trip to Haiti. They went to teach the Haitian national residents, and would take a PT with them. There are many country hospitals all over Haiti, and it was no coincidence that the exact hospital we went to was the one I went to as a young girl. That week life changing for me. My Creole/French came back, although broken I was able to communicate. I was able to pour love into the Haitian people and teach local PTs.
About 2 years ago I felt God calling me to do something more. I am nearing the end of my PT career which I have loved as an outpatient PT at Prisma for the last 20 years. I had been listening to pod casts about everyone has something to offer. I have seen healthcare cost rising, and the busyness of families prevents some people that really need PT from getting it. I wanted to offer something for these people. Or at least something to get them started if they didn’t know where to start. Starting something in your 50s is scary, but this feeling wouldn’t leave me. I approached my friend Brooke Ross about my thoughts, and the Lord had put it on her heart too. We made a website where you could go for basic injuries to get online exercise programs. We developed 3 phases as someone progresses with phase one, you can go on to the next 2 phases. We also gave education and instruction on how to apply kinesio tape for each diagnosis. We made if very affordable, so everyone could access it. Brooke moved from the area and started a concierge PT program in Charlotte, but not before she was instrumental in developing this beautiful online program.
I plan on retiring from outpatient PT next year, and I plan on traveling more. I love this online program because it can be for anyone all over the world. I’m not sure what God has in store for me. I would love to return to Haiti or someplace like it. I would love to somehow still find a way to help the youth of the area or world. When I think of the years I have been so blessed to work with this middle school and high school population, I tear up. I am beyond blessed to have found a job that I truly love.
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 website design was a struggle at first. Just knowing where to start. I didn’t grow up on a computer. I have valued how far I have come.
The marketing is also a struggle. Every time we get the word out, we have had great responses. Pediatricians love it. Just taking that leap is hard sometimes.
Doing it alone now has been tough. So many times, I have said Lord I can’t do this. When I feel like giving up, He uses something or somebody to show me He isn’t done with this yet. Even being asked to be interviewed for this article was out of my comfort zone.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I feel like I am known for seeing kids and teenagers around Columbia. I want everyone I see to feel loved and seen. I want to go to any lengths to help them get better.
I went to training in Italy for scoliosis techniques and specialize in youth orthopedic conditions.
I have used those years of experience to develop online programs with Youthful Physical Therapy. Even though it is online I have tried to pour that love and expertise into every program.
Also I am known for having the Olenchuk boys. Years of their sports and sports injuries has made me a better PT. I developed a preventative baseball program with my son who was a pitcher at Clemson. Ty and Anna Elise (one of my beautiful daughter in-laws) are the youthful exercise models.
I also studied women’s health in my earlier career. I developed an online incontinence program. I love aging strong. I have developed some adult programs too. I hope to expand more on that.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Loving what you do
Pricing:
- youth programs currently 39.99 one time fee
- Adult programs vary working on changing to one time fees
Contact Info:
- Website: https://youthfulphysicaltherapy.com
- Instagram: youthfulphysicaltherapy
- Facebook: youthfulPT
- LinkedIn: Pamela Olenchuk
- Twitter: youthful.pt
