Before entering into physical therapy, I was interested in the fitness and rehabilitation of common orthopedic injuries such as ankle sprains and shoulder injuries. My interest in rehabilitation was piqued by the exposure of my clients as a personal trainer. These clients asked me difficult questions about joint pain, for example, that I was unable to answer. Not being able to fully address my clients’ afflictions left me with a strong urge to study physical therapy. It didn’t take long before I found out the immense process that it would take to get back in school. I consider my perseverance one of the main reasons I enrolled in the University of Cincinnati Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. After ten pre-requisite courses and starting a job as a rehabilitation technician at a long-term acute care hospital (LTAC) I applied to multiple DPT programs. With two interviews, I felt like chance was on my side, but to no avail. I decided I needed to strengthen my resume. I continued to gain more experience by starting a position as a rehab aide at Denver Health where I could observe different PT settings. I also continued to stay involved with the community by volunteering and seeking out any opportunity where I could make a difference. During my time at Denver Health, I developed an educational booth for low-income families to join local recreation centers. I found it rewarding helping these families integrate into the community where they otherwise thought impossible due to their lower socio-economic situation; in other words, empowering their situation through education. My volunteer experiences have left me with the drive to advocate for all stakeholders in society for their access to healthcare. My position as a Physical Therapist has helped me to integrate my evidence-based knowledge and improve the quality of care. I will continue to persevere for the profession of physical therapy and its role in patient-centered care. https://benjampr.wixsite.com/website