We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Hetal Acharekar a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hetal, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I moved from India in 2006 to a small town Aiken, SC. I spent years working for many reputable rehabilitation center, honing my skills and treating patients with compassion and care. Over time, I developed a deep fascination with golf and the potential for physical therapy to enhance performance on the greens.

As I continued to delve into my passion for golf and physical therapy, an idea began to take shape in my mind. I envisioned a specialized practice that combined my expertise in physical therapy with a focus on optimizing golf performance. It was a unique concept that had the potential to transform the way golfers approached their training and recovery.

Driven by my entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering belief in my vision, I decided to take a risk and start my own physical therapy practice centered around golf performance. It was a decision that required careful consideration and planning. I knew that setting up a business would be no easy task, but I was willing to embrace the challenges that lay ahead.

I spent months meticulously crafting a business plan, researching the market, and seeking advice from industry experts. I secured a small office space in a bustling area near a popular golf course. I invested in specialized equipment, ranging from state-of-the-art rehabilitation tools to cutting-edge golf assessment methods.

With everything in place, I opened the doors to my physical therapy practice and golf performance center named Performanceabove LLC. I launched an extensive marketing campaign, reaching out to local golf clubs, hosting workshops, and establishing partnerships with golf coaches and trainers. Word quickly spread about my unique approach, and clients flocked to my practice, eager to improve their game and overcome injuries.

I work to tailor individualized treatment plans for each client. I combine physical therapy techniques with innovative golf-specific exercises and training protocols, allowing patients to recover from injuries, enhance their mobility, and optimize their swing mechanics.

As months turned into two years, physical therapy practice and golf performance center are flourishing. The demand for my services is growing, offering additional programs such as group training sessions, specialized workshops, and even golf-specific wellness.

The risk I took to start my own physical therapy practice and golf performance center had paid off in ways I never imagined. Not only I built a thriving business, but I also created a community of individuals bonded by their love for golf.

Taking risks can lead to life-changing opportunities. By pursuing my passion and venturing into the unknown, I not only transformed my own life but also made a positive impact on the lives of many others.

Hetal, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Performanceabove offers physical therapy for active aging population and also golf performance for golfers. Golf Performance programs are customized to fit individual golfers’ needs. Our golfers start with a detailed Golf Performance Functional Evaluation that assesses the body from head to toe. Using video analysis and customized assessment, we examine the golf swing to determine functional limitations and how they affect the swing. Based on the results of the Functional Evaluation, we develop a customized 8-10-week program to address the identified concerns.

The initial Golf Performance Functional Evaluation is a critical component in building an individualized program and a benchmark to be used later to measure your progress!

Tuning Before You Tee: Chances are you aren’t warming up properly before you tee. Without proper tuning, you could be setting yourself up for long-term pain and injury. Fortunately, there is a solution. With Tuning Before You Tee, you’ll learn essential warm-up exercises that will prevent injury and improve your mobility, flexibility, and stability.

Tuning Before You Tee helps golfers of all levels properly warm up before a game. Ensuring you can play longer with less pain and reducing the chance of injury. Just like warming up before a run, it’s important to loosen your muscles and form a mind and body connection.

Online GolfFit course: Golf Fit is a comprehensive, evidence-based training program designed to help golfers of all skill levels improve their physical fitness, golf-specific movement patterns, and overall performance on the course.

Golf Fit is for anyone who wants to optimize their golf performance, address current pain or mobility limitations, and ensure longevity in their game from the comfort of their home.

Enroll today to start your golf fitness journey!

Physical Therapy: If you experience discomfort, pain, or are recovering from an injury or surgery, we can develop a treatment plan to help you achieve your goals. Together we can improve your physical function and fitness level so you can get back to enjoying life!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Over the past year, PerformanceAbove LLC has displayed an exemplary level of leadership and community engagement in a variety of ways, in addition to being an Aiken Chamber Ambassador. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we have remained committed to supporting our customers and the community at large.

As an Aiken Chamber Ambassador, we have actively promoted the benefits of the Chamber to local businesses and encouraged them to get involved in the community. We have also participated in various Chamber events and initiatives, such as the Aiken Young Professionals, in order to build relationships and connect with other business leaders in the area.

Outside of our role as an Ambassador, PerformanceAbove LLC has also taken steps to support our customers and the community during the pandemic. We created virtual training programs in response to social distancing guidelines, allowing our clients to continue their sports performance training from the comfort and safety of their own homes. We also offered scholarships and discounted rates to low-income athletes who were facing financial hardship due to the pandemic.

Additionally, we have supported the broader community through various initiatives, such as sponsoring local sports teams and hosting fundraising events for local charities. We believe that by investing in our community, we create a positive impact that goes beyond our business and relates to the broader wellbeing of the community.

Finally, our team has displayed exemplary leadership by adapting quickly to the changing circumstances of the pandemic and pivoting our business operations to meet the needs of our clients. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we have remained committed to providing high-quality sports performance training and supporting our clients in achieving their goals.

In summary, PerformanceAbove LLC has displayed an exemplary level of leadership and community engagement over the past year, both through our role as an Aiken Chamber Ambassador and through our broader efforts to support the community. We remain committed to our values of excellence, sustainability, and community engagement, and will continue to seek out opportunities to make a positive impact on the community.

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

PerformanceAbove LLC would never have succeeded had it not been for the decision to specialize in the niche of golf and offer personalized one-on-one client to physical therapist service. By focusing on this specialized area and providing individualized attention and care to each client, we were able to build strong relationships, establish ourselves as experts in the field, and ultimately attract a loyal and dedicated customer base. This strategic decision allowed us to differentiate ourselves from other sports performance training providers and ultimately drive the success of our business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.performanceabove.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performanceabove/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/performanceabove/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hetal-hay-th-ul-acharekar-74739412/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@performanceabove/videos

Image Credits
@performanceabove