Today we’d like to introduce you to Ilseong Song.
Ilseong, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As the 1st generation Korean-Japanese immigrant from Osaka, I have faced many adversities, such as language barriers, cultural differences, financial issues, etc. Leaving everything I had in Japan was undoubtedly risky. But I was a 22-year-old man with ambition, plan, and persistence. I had no fear of getting out of my comfort zone and pursuing a doctorate in physical therapy (PT) in the United States. However, the reality hit me very hard. I couldn’t even order a BLT sandwich at Subway, and I had used Windex to wash my clothes for two weeks before my host family found out about it! There had been many more embarrassing moments. But I turned every negativity into motivation to study for hours and hours every day and continue to overcome this first hardship.
Because I know PT is the primary means to actualize my “Ikigai,” nothing could stop me from pursuing the world’s best PT education. Ikigai is a Japanese concept of a reason for being and your life’s purpose. Mine is to help people understand the importance of health/wellness and improve how they move internationally. I still vividly remember the moment I opened an acceptance letter from a PT school. PT school was very intense. Working out at the gym helped me relieve stress, but sometimes I felt more stressed just by going to the gym. And then, I met martial arts. I started practicing Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for my mental health. I immediately fell in love with them. I also learned martial artists need more help than any other sports. Because of the nature of what they do, they are very good at ignoring the pain. They almost try not to express the pain even though it’s severe. As a PT student who trains, I felt a strong responsibility to help this community in the future.
After earning the degree and passing a PT board exam, I started working at PT clinics in America. Although those experiences are crucial for my professional development, I need more effort, dedication, and something different to achieve my goals. Drastic actions were required. Then, my goal-oriented mind pushed me forward again and told me to take risks and leave my comfort zone. Deep down, I have always known that is the only way to grow. Combining my passion for PT and my love of martial arts, I decided to start my own private PT practice. That is the moment Combat Athletes PT (CAPT) was born. It is a PT clinic located within a martial arts gym. CAPT provides one-on-one PT for a full hour and thorough education about what pain you have, why it started, how to fix it, and how to prevent it. My clients will have a clear understanding of anatomy, injury mechanism, and source of pain. A monthly workshop also helps them raise self-awareness towards injuries and seek help before it’s too late. In addition, I teach Japanese PT professionals and students online and in person. CAPT completes my Ikigai: to help people understand the importance of health/wellness and improve how they move internationally.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a rough road. But I am glad it wasn’t easy. I believe “ease is a greater threat than hardship” – Denzel Washington. One of the biggest struggles is that I need to wear many different hats. As a clinician, I am committed to life-long professional growth. I read research articles, study for new certifications, and talk to my mentor regularly. However, being a great physical therapist does not run a business. There are other critical things I have to do to grow it. I need to be a marketer, bookkeeper, media manager, and more. Also, I am an educator as well. Creating slides, preparing for workshops, and rehearsing classes require significant time. PT schools do not teach us how to be business owners or teachers but clinicians. So, it is necessary to learn business strategies as I run it. It is a struggle, but I also enjoy learning new things every day.
As you know, we’re big fans of Combat Athletes Physical Therapy. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We proudly provide high-quality physical therapy for many martial artists, athletes, and anyone who is ready to change and get rid of pain. The treatment is performed by a physical therapist who is a board-certified orthopedic specialist (only 6% of the entire physical therapist population in America possesses this). Unlike many other physical therapists, we utilize musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging to see your muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and other structures inside your body. This imaging procedure helps to give you a more precise PT diagnosis. No more long wait for your imaging test at the hospital. You can figure out the exact cause of your pain, understand how the pain started based on anatomy & biomechanics education, and learn how to treat and prevent the injuries. Because we genuinely care about our clients, our PT session is always 1-on-1 treatment with a doctor of physical therapist to constantly assess your specific movements. The results are different. Combat Athletes Physical Therapy is going to be the last PT clinic you’ll visit.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My Ikigai matters most to me. Yes, it is so essential to make money. Highly skillful professionals should get compensated more. I certainly have financial goals as well. However, what gets me up in the morning is not monetary incentives. Being a physical therapist gave me many priceless moments. My clients’ genuine word, “thank you,” motivates me to strive for further clinical excellence. Being an educator encourages me to keep moving forward when I have a hardship because of my students. When I see students ignite their passions from my lectures, I feel recharged and reenergized by them. Those are just a few examples of my experience of just fulfilling my life purpose. My Ikigai brought me many incredible people and positive human interactions. It is so exciting to continue exploring my Ikigai and see what else I can do for this world to help more people. It is cliché, but I mean it. This is why Ikigai matters most to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.combatathletespt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combatathletes_pt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/combatathletespt
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm3fzjGfBTTIDeIFJMzCoIQ
