Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dr. Liesle Elsey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Dr. Liesle, appreciate you joining us today. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?

The name of my business, Agate Core Therapy, was inspired by one of my patients. She had come to me for severe pelvic pain resulting in incontinence. Her pain limited her ability perform daily tasks and attend social gatherings impacting her quality of life. Through our work together, and with additional support from a urogynocologist, she regained control and reclaimed her life.

On her last day of therapy, she gifted me an agate gemstone necklace with a heartfelt note: “. . . . an agate is one of the strongest stones on earth. You helped make me so much stronger. Thank you.’

That moment, 8 years ago, stayed with me. I wanted to create a business that embodied strength and resilience—starting with the foundation of our pelvic core. And so, Agate Core Therapy was born.

Dr. Liesle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m fortunate to have known my career path since my freshman year of high school. As a cross-country and track runner, I experienced leg pain that led me to physical therapy. When I was told to stop running (and let’s be honest, you don’t tell a runner to stop running), I knew there had to be a better way. This experience sparked my passion—I wanted to help runners stay active while understanding the *why* behind their injuries.

I pursued my passion by studying pre-physical therapy at Adrian College while competing in cross-country and track. From there, I earned my Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Wayne State University.

After more than a decade in outpatient orthopedic physical therapy, I took the leap into entrepreneurship. A driving force behind this decision was the desire for greater flexibility for my family—I have four children, currently ranging in age from 4 to 10. Equally as important was the ability to provide patient care without the outside financial pressure from insurance agencies.

I am committed to continuously expanding my knowledge to treat my patients holistically. My approach integrates manual therapy techniques (muscle energy, cranial manipulation, and dry needling), alongside assessments using Applied Kinesiology and 3D gait analysis, and a deep focus on pelvic health. My goal is to empower my patients with comprehensive, individualized care that supports their movement, strength, and resilience.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Absolutely! I love what I do. Not many people can say that about their career. Each experience I have had through my lifetime, from being a patient to becoming a physical therapist and mother, has shaped me to the person I am today. As a patient, I felt confused and unsure what the future held. I wanted to close that gap by understanding and discovering the *why* to help patients live their best life.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

I think the most helpful thing to succeed in this field is to realize there is no one “right” way or answer to treat. The human body is unique to each person and is always evolving. As a physical therapist, I believe it is important to have multiple tools in your toolbox to be able to treat our patients. What works for one patient may not be as effective for another, so adaptability and a well-rounded skill set are key to achieving the best outcomes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.agatecoretherapy.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.liesle.elsey/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095276342247