Founder of Movement Rx — Theresa Larson

This week’s spotlight is on Theresa Larson, a non-clinical physical therapist who is the Founder of Movement Rx!

What is your full name, title, and company name for your current, primary role?

Theresa Larson — Founder of Movement Rx; Chief of Well Zones

What additional roles do you currently have?

I am an adjunct professor at UVA Darden Leadership Institute.

Where are you located?

Durango, CO.

Where did you go to PT school?

University of St. Augustine, San Diego campus.

What did you do when you first finished school, and for how long?

I worked for a regular sports performance clinic for six months.

In what setting(s) did you work, and what types of patients did you treat?

I worked with the general population in an orthopedic setting.

What did you enjoy about your early roles? What didn’t you enjoy?

I enjoyed some of my patients, yet I did not enjoy the tempo of my patient load or the clinic.

What else have you done since then, prior to your current role?

I was an instructor for CrossFit teaching the Movement and Mobility course in Europe, South America, and the United States. I also ran my own PT practice in CrossFit gyms in Southern California.

When and why did you decide to do something non-clinical?

I decided to do something non-clinical four years into running my own PT practice.

I wanted to help people on the preventative side and make a real change in company cultures and where people spend most of their time—sleeping, at home, or at work.

What are you doing these days?

I run Movement Rx, a human performance company that creates ‘Well Zones’ within organizations, government agencies, and innovation districts or parks. This includes helping in the design of spaces and places to the programming and training conducted in the organizations.

I do quite a bit of keynote speaking as well. We also have an on-demand, college-level adaptive training course that gives students electives in exercise physiology and kinesiology departments.

Are you still treating patients, or are you solely non-clinical?

I do some executive coaching, which includes movement analysis.

What percentage of your time is spent clinically vs. non-clinically?

99% non-clinical, 1% clinical.

When did you become the Founder of Movement Rx?

I started Movement Rx in May 2013. Since September 2021, I have been focused on the Well Zone, leadership trainings, and keynote speaking.

What do you wish you would’ve known before founding Movement Rx?

I wish I would’ve remembered that there are a lot of opportunities out there and to not get stuck on doing things one way.

Did you get any special certifications or training along the way to help you get into your current role?

I have taken the Landmark training for personal and professional development, the Advance Your Reach training to help with speaking and being on stage, and improv classes.

How did you find your job? Did you apply or find it through a connection?

I created it.

Where did you get the idea for your Movement Rx business?

I got it while on my honeymoon in Costa Rica and Panama.

What is your business, and what types of products or services do you offer?

I sell leadership trainings, keynotes, and Well Zone services to organizations, innovation districts, and government entities.

How have people reacted to you leaving patient care?

They have been excited for me.

What’s a typical day or week in the life like for you? What types of tasks and responsibilities fill your time?

There is no typical day.

When I am speaking or presenting, that is all I do that day. Other days, I am doing business development, outreach, follow ups, practicing for a talk, or training one of our employees or contractors for a talk coming up.

I work when my kids are in school and spend time with them when they are home unless I am traveling, which is usually a couple times a month.

What are some of the rewards of your role? What are the biggest challenges?

Rewards: Freedom of time, excitement from opportunities I never thought possible, and empowerment from creating something I know is badly needed in the workforce.

Challenges: It is hard growing your own business. It is reliant on you. There are lots of ups and downs. At times, you wonder, “Am I on the right path?”

How did your clinical background prepare you for this role? Which skills transferred?

I understand human behavior and performance. My clinical background helped me with this.

Roughly speaking, how are the hours and pay compared to patient care?

Much better. There is no ceiling for how much I can earn now. The sky is the limit. Yet sometimes, it is not stable. A clinical practice provides stability, but you are always trading time for money. That is not for me.

What type of person do you think would do well in a role similar to Founder of Movement Rx?

The type of person who would do well in a role like mine is:

• Resilient
• Gritty
• Good with people
• A good listener
• Adaptive

Do you work remotely or onsite?

I work both remotely and onsite.

Does your organization hire PT, OT, or SLP professionals into non-clinical roles? If so, what type of roles?

Not yet. However, that may change depending on our government contracting work.

What is next for you? What are your high-level career aspirations?

I am focused on our Well Zone work, which is the most innovative thing we do that can create change in spaces, places, and people for generations to come. Ideally, we are growing due to enough impact that we can sell our company in seven to ten years.

What would you recommend to someone who is considering going into a role like yours? Do you have any special words of wisdom for the readers?

As Wayne Gretzky said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” If not now, then when?

What would you like to change most in your profession, and why?

What career advice would you give yourself that you wish you had during school?

I would love to have known about the other possibilities of non-clinical work available for PTs.

Ready to discover the many other possibilities in a non-clinical career?

What would you teach to today’s graduate students in your profession, if you had the opportunity?

I would teach them about the other amazing possibilities of what you can do with the knowledge you have.

Do you have any special advice for others who want to follow in your footsteps?

Go for it.