Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Maher.
Hi Ashley, 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?
Symbiotic Physical Therapy officially opened in July 2023, but the story really started years before that. At the time, I was sharing an office with Symbiotic Training, where I first met Jono and started working with Joe Musgrove. That experience really changed everything — it showed me what was possible when physical therapy and performance training worked together instead of separately.
As Jono and I continued to collaborate, our professional relationship grew naturally. We shared the same philosophy about movement and recovery and saw a real need to bridge the gap between rehab and performance — to help people not only get out of pain but move better and perform better.
That shared vision eventually led us to open our Miramar location, thanks to the help and support of Joe Musgrove, who believed in what we were building from the start. Having our own space gave us the opportunity to truly integrate physical therapy and training under one roof, to collaborate daily, and to build the kind of environment we had always imagined — one that’s focused on connection, learning, and growth for both our team and our patients.
Then in 2024, we officially welcomed Richelle Rock as a full-time physical therapist, which was a huge step forward for us. She’s brought incredible energy, knowledge, and passion to the team, and having her on board has allowed us to grow and help even more people.
At Symbiotic, we work with everyone from youth to professional athletes, as well as active individuals who just want to feel better and move more efficiently. Our approach is simple — we look at the whole person. Through detailed movement assessments, hands-on treatment, and individualized performance programs, we help people move better, not just heal.
Our mission has always been to redefine what physical therapy means. It’s not just about rehab — it’s about movement, performance, and confidence. We want people to see PT as something that can help them reach their potential, not just recover from an injury.
For us, it’s about creating lasting change — helping people move, feel, and live at their best, while building a community that makes the process fun and meaningful.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s definitely been a fun and interesting road — but not a smooth one. Starting Symbiotic Physical Therapy has been such a learning experience. Physical therapy school teaches you how to treat people, but it doesn’t teach you how to run a business, build a brand, or wear all the different hats that come with being a small business owner.
In the beginning, there were definitely moments of uncertainty. I had this clear vision of what I wanted Symbiotic to be, but getting there took a lot of trial and error. There were times I questioned if I was doing things the “right” way — balancing patient care, building systems, handling the business side, and still trying to show up every day with the same energy for my patients.
But every challenge ended up teaching me something valuable. I learned how to be adaptable, how to ask for help, and how to trust the process even when things felt messy. I’ve also learned that growth doesn’t come from comfort — it comes from showing up every day, learning from mistakes, and continuing to push forward.
It hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been worth it. Seeing Symbiotic grow into a space where people genuinely feel supported and cared for makes every tough day feel meaningful. This journey has taught me so much more than just how to run a business — it’s taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of staying true to the “why” behind it all.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Symbiotic Physical Therapy is really built around one main goal — to help people move, feel, and perform better, no matter where they’re starting from. What makes us different is how deeply we care about connecting with people and making their experience positive and empowering from the moment they walk in. I’m most proud that we’ve created a space where people actually enjoy coming to physical therapy — it’s fun, it’s supportive, and it feels like a community.
What sets us apart is our holistic approach. On the physical therapy side, we don’t just look at one injury — we assess the entire body to understand how everything connects. That’s how we help people truly get back to full health, not just out of pain. On the training side, we take that same philosophy and apply it to performance. Every athlete who comes through Symbiotic goes through a full movement assessment, and we build them a personalized workout plan based on their individual needs. Whether it’s a youth athlete learning how to move better or a professional trying to gain an edge, we make sure their program fits them.
But honestly, what makes Symbiotic special is the team. I’m lucky to work with such a talented, passionate, and genuinely fun group of people. Everyone here truly cares — not just about the science or the training, but about the people we work with every day. There’s this energy in the space that makes it exciting to come to work and easy for patients and athletes to feel at home.
I’m really proud to be part of something that feels authentic — a team that’s not only knowledgeable and driven but also kind, curious, and connected. That’s what Symbiotic is all about: helping people move better, feel better, and enjoy the process along the way.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I see a big shift coming in physical therapy over the next five to 10 years — and honestly, I’m excited about it. I think the field is starting to move closer to the kind of approach we take at Symbiotic: more whole-person, movement-based, and proactive, and less focused on the traditional “insurance-only, post-injury” model.
People are beginning to understand that physical therapy isn’t just something you do after surgery or when you’re in pain — it’s something that can actually enhance your performance, improve your quality of life, and help prevent injuries before they happen. I think the next generation of therapists and patients alike are recognizing the value of movement and biomechanics as a key part of overall health.
We’re already seeing more people seek out physical therapy not because they’re hurt, but because they want to move better, train smarter, and understand their bodies on a deeper level. That’s where I think the future is heading — towards a more integrated role for physical therapists within the world of fitness, wellness, and performance.
It’s exciting to be part of that shift — to help lead it, in a way — and to show people that physical therapy can be so much more than a place to go after you tear your ACL. It can be a place you go to learn about your body, unlock your potential, and keep doing the things you love for the long run.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.symbioticphysicaltherapy.com/
- Instagram: @symbioticpt
