W.I.N.terview with Dr. Katie D'Amato

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OUR TRIAD ATHLETES?

My advice to the Triad Athletes is to be gentle and patient with yourself.  Make it a practice.  I think back to when I competed as a high level athlete in high school and college, I can still feel the pressure and tension of needing to be phenomenal at everything.  I am seeing the same pressure and forces on the girls I treat today. 

My advice is to lighten up, unload some of the pressure, stop comparing yourself to everyone else and be kinder and more patient with yourself.

This time in life is a gift with so many lessons that you will take with you the rest of your life.  It’s the jump off place to so much more growth and fulfillment.  Development takes time and you are getting exactly what you need now so enjoy it instead of wasting it in worry and stress.

Enjoy your teammates, coaches, friendships, little wins and big wins.  Celebrate the lessons in the falls and losses. They are all there to support your journey!

HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE MENTAL WELLNESS INTO YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE?

I read a daily passage from a book called "Journey to the Heart".  Each passage includes a theme woven in with a story.  It gives me something positive and inspirational to reflect on each morning.  I really believe this ritual sets me up for a good mindset as I head into my day.  There are many many books like this and even ones directed at athletes specifically.

The best part is that when you finish the year you can just start back over and it’s basically new messages, or familiar ones all over again.  I find the messages hit a little differently each year as I evolve too.

IN YOUR CAREER, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE OR BARRIER AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME IT?

I came to a point in my physical therapy career where the structure provided to successfully perform my job wasn’t sufficient anymore.  At that point I left the traditional medical office model and started my company performing sports medicine physical therapy, yoga and wellness services for people in their homes.

What helped me the most in venturing out on my own, was spending time creating the vision for it and then having the courage to ask for help and advice from business owners I looked up to.  It’s now been 5 years in practice and I’m still relying on those same practices that got me started!