The Higher Powered Podcast

Faith In Practice Episode 1: Introduction
In the inaugural episode of the Faith in Practice podcast, Kurt Kessler shares his personal journey of faith and professional development in physical therapy. He reflects on his early life, struggles with social influence, and the pivotal moments that shaped his spiritual growth. Kurt discusses his transition from athletic training to pursuing physical therapy, the challenges he faced in getting accepted into PT school, and the valuable experiences he gained along the way. He emphasizes the importance of faith in navigating life's challenges and finding purpose in his career. The episode concludes with a segment called 'Word Up,' where Kurt ties in biblical principles to his journey.

Takeaways

• Kurt's early church experiences laid the foundation for his faith.
• Struggles with social influence and belonging were significant during college.
• Meeting his wife was a turning point in his spiritual journey.
• Persistence in applying to PT schools was crucial despite rejections.
• The importance of mentorship in his professional development.
• Kurt's residency experience was both challenging and rewarding.
• Burnout in traditional PT settings led him to explore new options.
• A cash-based physical therapy model became a viable path for him.
• God's timing played a significant role in his career decisions.
• Kurt aims to use his platform to support others in their faith journeys.

Sound Bites

• "I grew up going to church."
• "I was uncomfortable in my own skin."
• "I met my wife, which completely changed my life."
• "It was the most stressful year of my life."
• "I decided to go back to athletic training full time."
• "Everything I'm doing here is for the Lord."

Chapters

00:00

Introduction to Faith in Practice Podcast

01:00

Kurt's Early Life and Spiritual Journey

04:18

Transitioning to Athletic Training and Meeting His Wife

08:44

Struggles with PT School Applications

12:39

The Journey Through PT School and Residency

17:10

Facing Career Challenges and Burnout

21:19

Exploring a New Path in Physical Therapy

24:39

Finding Purpose and Starting a Business

27:07

Reflections on God's Plan and Future Goals

30:05

Word Up Segment and Closing Thoughts

CONNECT:
IG: @higherpowersportspt
Email: [email protected]

CONNECT:

IG: @higherpowersportspt

Email: [email protected]

KEYWORDS

Higher Powered Podcast, Kurt Kessler, physical therapy, athletic training, cash-based therapy, sports injuries, personal journey, healthcare challenges, podcasting, faith in practice

SUMMARY

In the inaugural episode of the Higher Powered Podcast, Kurt Kessler shares his personal journey from a young athlete in Pennsylvania to becoming a physical therapist. He discusses the challenges he faced in pursuing his dream, including academic struggles and the competitive nature of PT programs. After years of working as an athletic trainer and applying to various schools, he finally found his place in a PT program. Kurt also delves into the stress and burnout he experienced in traditional PT settings, leading him to explore cash-based therapy. He emphasizes the importance of personalized care and the positive impact it has had on his patients. The episode concludes with Kurt outlining the future direction of the podcast, which will focus on athletic injuries and various physical therapy topics while introducing a second show on his podcast network.

TAKEAWAYS

Kurt's journey began with a passion for helping people.

He faced significant challenges in his academic path.

The competitive nature of PT programs can be daunting.

Kurt's experience as an athletic trainer shaped his career.

Burnout in traditional PT settings is a common issue.

Cash-based therapy allows for more personalized patient care.

Kurt emphasizes the importance of mentorship in his growth.

The podcast will explore athletic injuries and recovery.

Kurt aims to integrate faith into his practice and discussions.

Listeners are encouraged to suggest topics for future episodes.

Sound Bites

"I wanted to help people and I was interested in the human body."

"I made a bad decision, or so I thought at the time."

"I was waking up in the middle of the night, waking up at 2 AM."

"I wanted to set the stage so that people knew my background."

Chapters

00:00

Introduction to Higher Powered Podcast

01:00

Kurt's Journey to Physical Therapy

07:08

Challenges in Pursuing a PT Career

12:10

Transitioning to Cash-Based Physical Therapy

20:01

Future of the Podcast and Closing Thoughts