We recently connected with Lauren Sok and have shared our conversation below.
Lauren, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
What’s the story behind that painting? Well, it’s so much more than an artwork of colors. What lies beneath its papyrus layers of texture and vibrancy is a series of events. Or a spark that pushed me to jump into my own journey and rewrite its narrative. Eight years ago, I was at a crossroads. I was not living my dream! I had big dreams for my future but did not know how to take the next step. I was comfortable being a spectator by watching all the “cool kids” leap into entrepreneurship like a “choose your own adventure” book. The problem was,I was scared. Why would someone see my value and actually pay me for my skills and knowledge? I’d been a physical therapist for 16 years, but I worked for other companies and I thought their reputation was more important than my skill set. Then one day, I stumbled upon this painting at the local Inman Park Festival. Its bright colors and blossoming tree of life literally screamed my name. In fact, I think it struck me in the head, as I heard the message “Hey! Girl, it’s time to start living your dream!”. The words of the painting, “Are you living your dream or still dreaming of living” became my mantra over the next year.
I see this story play out often in my life and in the lives of those around me. It reminds me of a song from my favorite musical Hamilton, “Wait for It”. Some days I will listen on repeat and ask myself if today I’ll be Aaron Burr, by waiting for the right moment, or be Alexander Hamilton, living because I have nothing to lose. I believe there is an Aaron Burr and an Alexander Hamilton in each of us, but in life sometimes we cannot wait. No matter the obstacle, we must persevere and keep climbing to live our dream. That is exactly what this artwork did for me. I couldn’t wait any longer because life doesn’t discriminate, it will take if we let it. It was time to change the game and find my inner Alexander Hamilton…to keep living through all the rising and falling and mistakes I would make.
We all know nothing in life is easy. We can choose to sit on the sidelines or choose to get up and write our own history. Yes, the first step is the hardest one, but for me, I chose the latter and the best part is when all those people in the stands start believing you can achieve so much more. As a result, Functionize was born–a place where we help you realize your dream, give you the tools, then cheer you on as it plays out in a larger-than-life reality. Every once in a while, we need the flashing lights (or bright, colorful artwork) moment to say, “wake up, it’s now or never”. Now is your time!
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?
Following 16 years partnering with traditional physical therapy companies throughout Atlanta, Functionize Founder Lauren Sok had a nice gig – solid salary, stellar colleagues and a stable lifestyle.
Despite all this, she was unfulfilled and frustrated – ending each day feeling that she wasn’t able to give her best to her patients. Mired in productivity goals and bound by insurance-induced demands for immediate diagnosis, Lauren felt she was stuck with the same symptom-centric options that resulted in mediocre care.
She knew her patients deserved better. They deserved individual care plans. They deserved one-on-one time and attention. They deserved practitioners who would do whatever needed to be done to get them back to full, pain-free function. They deserved health and wellness expertise committed to and fiercely fighting for them as a human being – not a number or a billable.
Amidst rising healthcare costs and deductibles, Lauren saw her patients desperately seeking personal care that encompasses the whole person, not just a specific injury or condition.
Encouraged by peers and motivated by her patients, Lauren began doing private-pay physical therapy for clients throughout Virginia Highlands, Druid Hills, and Inman Park.
As her patients became advocates and ambassadors spreading the good word, Lauren’s business grew to a point where she was ready to start her own practice. In June 2015, she founded Functionize, a cash-based physical therapy clinic in Downtown Decatur with the simple, yet profound mission of helping everyday athletes in the Atlanta area transform their lives and get back to the things they love.
No longer restricted to fast diagnosis, canned options or limited visits, Lauren is able to get her clients better faster, while empowering them to become a lifelong force of movement.
Since opening its doors, Functionize has added three more physical therapists, a dietitian, and personal trainers to the wellness mix. Together, they work as a collaborative, comprehensive team committed to overall wellness.
Aside from therapy, Functionize also offers small group fitness classes, workshops and education.
In 2016, Functionize expanded to Druid Hills Golf Club focusing on active adults and athletes aiming to achieve peak performance in tennis, golf, swimming and general fitness.
By 2021, Functionize opened a second free-standing location in Dunwoody, the home of Functionize founder, Lauren Sok. She felt it was important to bring a community of wellness to her neighbors and friends. Regular partnerships with local providers and business in the area, along with monthly group runs, has strengthened her vision allowing people to thrive through all stages of life.
Today, Functionize continues to grow with a focus on unlocking potential, providing enlightenment, and promoting understanding among active adults who are forward thinking in their health and wellness.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
If you could choose your dream job, what would it be? For me, it would be a barista! Yes, the people you see behind the counter in your local coffee shop serving cappuccinos and lattes. This was a job I had for a few summers while in college, and I loved it! Why? To start off, I truly enjoy the taste and smell of coffee. The part I love the most, however, is the community it builds. People of all backgrounds drink coffee. It’s part of their culture and how they come together to socialize, bond, or even meet a perfect stranger. It was the strangers that always drew me in. How two people that didn’t know each other one minute, could find a commonality through coffee that kept them coming back for more. Now there’s more to this question. Besides coffee, I have to ask myself, “What is at the heart of my desire to go from Functionista to Barista?” I believe it’s my strong inclination to be of service, to be attentive to others needs, to hear their stories and their dreams. Before long, new clients become family. It’s like the sitcom ‘Cheers’ where everyone knows your name. People have fascinating histories, so why not let them share it? Soon, their story becomes part of your story, and the connection begins.
So, what is your dream job? What is the dream lifestyle you wish to have? Are there certain activities you wish to pursue? In our office, we have a large artwork with the quote, “Are you living your dream or still dreaming of living?” That’s what Functionize is all about. We want to be your community of wellness where like-minded people are enjoying pain-free living at all ages. It doesn’t matter if you are the new grad or the new mom. You may be a professional moving up the corporate ladder, an empty nester, or a retiree all working towards the same goal. Movement is medicine! With movement, we become family through exercise, sweat, muscle fatigue, laughter, and realizing we can do hard things when we have a supportive team in our corner. It’s the company of people you know and strangers you don’t that make dreams a reality. Connection is what it’s all about. If you’re ready to live the dream lifestyle you want, come along with us!
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
What if you lived your life never truly achieving your full potential? What if you listened to the little voice inside your head saying you don’t have what it takes, you don’t have enough time, or that everyone else needs you right now? Well, that was me over 20 years ago. I had just moved to Atlanta and started my first physical therapy job. I was focused on becoming the best physical therapist I could be with no thoughts of using my knowledge or skills in a different way. Soon, I got good at treating…really good! I saw the patterns, systematized my process, and repeated it one patient after another. The problem was I became bored. The process was too easy and routine. Status quo was not in my blood, and I yearned to achieve more. But, by now I was a mom of three kids. How could a mom pivot her career when everyone needed her and time was so limited?
Then 14 years into my career, I had a choice to make. Continue to be a staff physical therapist in a consistent environment or pave my own way? You know I chose the latter! But, it wasn’t easy. How much we grow, improve, and push ourselves beyond what we think is possible only requires 20% skill, the remaining 80% is mindset. Too often it’s easy to go down the wrong road. We need to focus on where we want to go rather than the fear that’s holding us back so we don’t get stuck.
I wasn’t about to get stuck! I stopped visualizing my title, my patient outcomes, my productivity, and my role as a mother. I chose to put what I loved doing for my body and mind first. I shifted my headspace away from the treatment of a client (or the caregiving of a family member) to the impact I can have on one person at a time. This simple idea of impacting lives changed me as a person, and I started loving my career again. I began to see the forest through the trees. The true potential for myself and my business became clear. Now, all those years later, I believe I’m getting closer to my full potential. I’m thinking outside the box, stepping outside my comfort zone, and continually launching next phases of Functionize. Come join us!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.functionizehealth.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/functionizehealth/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/functionizehealth/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/27234699/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5XWhZGsoXwvcWXPT4W7l8g