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

Jerica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

I remember sitting at home watching tv and telling my friends “I think I’m going to start my own business.” Of course all my friends where supportive but I’m not sure they realized how serious I was. I would make jokes like “ I’m gong to be a top celebrity therapist traveling the world and meeting new people.” Though we laughed it out that was truly a manifestation for me. Six months later I quit my job working in a Orthopeadic clinic to officially start my own business. I had 5 clients at the time and for some reason still brave enough to start this new venture. Shortly after I was blessed with opportunities to work on some of the most greatest actors, singers, athletes, and children.

Some key challenges i faced when starting my practice (minus the paperwork and legal aspect of things) was juggling how much work that needed to be done outside of just the physical aspect. I never thought about balancing my books, keeping track of invoices, taxes, patient notes, annual fees, and traveling everywhere was exhausting and costly. The first 6 months of business I felt as if most of what I profit was going right back into the business. Things you don’t hear on social media is that when going into entrepreneurship being broke can be apart of the process. Because I had a six month plan of starting his business I had some money stashed up and was able to start this business without debt or loans. Knowing what I know now; I realize it isn’t bad starting up with some form of business loan or such to establish business credit. Later on in the business when your ready to invest in a building or in your brand on a larger scale; lenders will want to see business credit to increase approval odds. I also would have chosen to slow down and enjoy the moments. At one point in business I was so busy and yet trying to bite off more than I can chew. Not only did I get a office location but I picked up a second location and still running the business solo. I learned that your only as strong as your team. So I started to build a team of like minded entrepreneurs and network to the point where I have other therapist as my back bone to help when I get overwhelmed. Advice that I would give any young entrepreneurs is to take your time and let the success come to you. Set a game plan and annual goals for yourself and adjust your business accordantly. I would also recommended to have a small team and support system. Perhaps even gravitating to a mentor or someone who knows business to avoid small but costly mistakes.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

A little background on how my passion began: it first began in undergrad when I was in college. I was on a full track and field scholarship and suffered from a back injury. I was offered surgery, and physical therapy to help with my pains. I choose not to follow through with the surgery and go the holistic route. Over time physical therapy and chiropractic care is what nursed me back to normal. This speed bump in my life is what got me interested in therapy and body recovery. I knew that I wanted to play a role in helping people feel better, primarily athletes or performers. I ended up moving to Atlanta for grad school and received my masters degree in Sports Medicine. At JM Recovery & Performance my primary goal is to help clients feel better. My motto is “Recover the Pains, Notice the gains.” I found what my true purpose is. My approach to recovery is different because everyone of us is different. Pain can be coming from muscular abnormalities, weakness, inadequate firing patterns, tight muscles, fatigue, or scar tissue just to name a few. No matter who you are or what your training volume is it is essential to spend time recovering, I offer active techniques and passive modalities that can aid in bringing the body back to the pain free lifestyle it naturally craves for. Some of the treatments I offer are sports massage, manual therapies such as cupping and instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, Dry needling, physiotherapy and injury management. I treat pains both acute or chronic from headaches to arthritis, tendinitis, post operative pain, muscle soreness, lack of mobility, strains, sprains, and neuropathy. Ideally I want to grow to be a one stop shop. Where my clients can come and receive recovery for their body without visiting 5 different providers. I am a cash based business however I do accept HSA/FSA payments.
The thing that makes me the most proud is getting that “I feel so much better” text message the day after treating with me. I am overwhelmed with joy that I indefinitely helped another person achieve another day without pain. I love what I do and I want to continue to learn more and grow. God has put this purpose in me and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My journey to become the therapist I am today defines resilience. During grad school my last semester I suffered from a traumatic brain injury where I had a small brain bleed. I was working a football game on the medical staff and was tackled by a football player. Though what seems so simple at the time changed my path of life. I had to take six weeks of bedrest, and twelve months of neurology therapy to learn how to balance, focus, stand, walk and read again. Remind you this was my last semester of school and I had board exams coming up along with final classes to take. Though I was still able to walk with my graduating class, I was setback because I had to retake classes and my board exams. After a year of treatment and a few CTs later I was able to get back to normal. But it was time to sit for my board exam again. In my field I can’t practice without my medical license. I failed my exam 7 times and at that point started to question if this was the career for me. Was I going to be able to retain information like before? Maybe this wasn’t my calling. The devil definitely worked in my head during these trying moments. But I refuse to stay down, I refuse to give up because I knew inside I was built for this. When I passed my exams all I could do is cry of happiness. I constantly hear people say “No way I would’ve taken that test again.” But that’s what makes me different. I am not afraid to fail, I’m not afraid to have setbacks, they are apart of life, and apart of who I am. I apply this concept to everything.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

I used to say if I could go back I would pursue a career as a physician assistant. I would’ve still chosen Orthopeadics as my specialty because to me nothing is more interesting then bones and muscles. Also I appreciate the clinical side of things vs on the field or court. However now that I’m in my business and really impacting lives I know I’m in the right profession. If anything was to change perhaps the time I took to achieve my goals but overall the goal would remain the same.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.jmusclerecovery.com
• Instagram: @jericamaness
• Other: Booking: https://www.vagaro.com/jmrecoveryandperformance