We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shayan Safar. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shayan below.

Shayan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

“Stunts are you set”? It’s 3pm on a clear February afternoon. I’m standing in the middle of the San Gabriel mountains just outside of Los Angeles, the city where dreams come true. The ground is dusty and dry. In every direction there are tall bushes, large boulders, and uneven terrain next to me as if I’m going hiking with friends. I’m standing under the awning of an old house that looks like someone has lived there for 100 years. For a brief second, there is a calm and peace that completely fills me. Almost so tranquil that I forgot I am covered in fire gel getting ready to run from that same house as it explodes and I land in the bed of a moving pickup truck. If I run too slow, I’m at risk of being caught with the 50 gallons of explosive fuel, tires falling from the ceiling and all kinds of wood and sheet metal that could seriously injure me or even kill me. However, if I rush the beginning, the story doesn’t make sense and this only chance to get this take will be ruined. We’ve rehearsed it a dozen times before loading the explosives so that we will not only get it right, but we also can’t get it wrong. Every time in rehearsal I make sure to hit my mark on the exact moment so that everything lines up for the perfect shot and we all go home safe. I listen for notes from the stunt coordinator as she stands next to the pyro-technician making sure on every rehearsal my foot touches a certain point right as he hits the button. The fire marshals have hoses, fire blankets, and extinguishers ready. Wardrobe has checked that I’m not wearing any synthetic materials that could melt to my skin if I catch on fire. The cameras are hidden behind a small house of wood and glass to protect the cameramen from flying objects in the explosion. All other crew have been moved over 200 yards away from set as a safety precaution. I take a slow inhale of the crisp mountain air through my nose. My heart is slowly beating faster, my legs twitching in anticipation to run as fast as they’ve ever run before. I go through my action in my head one more time. “Set!” I yell. The assistant director shouts “Ready in 3…2…1…” 48 hours prior to this moment I was in Northridge, California, sitting under bright fluorescent lights, attending my neuroanatomy course to get my doctorate in physical therapy. The first batch of midterms are coming up. We were studying to trace every possible track in the nervous system that could be intact if a patient had a spinal cord injury. If the injury was more to the side, what could we do to possibly help them use their legs so they could have a better chance of walking in the future? As that class ends, I go to my orthopedics lab to practice different techniques on how to get someone’s shoulder mobility better. There is so much detail to human anatomy and helping someone improve their body. Can a lack of mobility be from muscles, joint capsules, nerve tension, weakness, or neuromuscular inhibition? If we don’t get the right answer then our treatment will be ineffective and the quality of someone’s life can be diminished. The stakes are high and the details really matter. I’ve seen so many people who were incorrectly diagnosed or their healthcare provider failed to check a few things. Those missed details really could’ve helped that person tremendously. It’s the same as a stunt performer.
In the film industry, thousands of artists, all masters in their craft, work together to create a story. Every department tries to perfect every detail they can to make the story inspire audiences around the world. In stunts, the details can be the difference between safety and serious injury, or even life and death. I’ve learned that in physical therapy, it’s actually the same. It is the details that really can make someone’s life tremendously better or set them in the wrong direction. For instance, misdiagnosing someone’s pain can lead people to unnecessary surgeries, pain medications, a poor quality of life, and a story in their mind that they are broken. A story that they can’t ever do the things they love, that they are a burden to their friends and families, and that no one in the healthcare field understands them. Or the story can look like getting more mobile and stronger so that you can move easier and do the activities you love.
Before my career led me into becoming a stuntman and a physical therapist, I had a story in mind too. I wanted to be a superhero growing up. I saw action movies and was inspired by the story of someone working so hard and sacrificing themselves to help someone else. They were able to overcome defeat and help others. They inspired those around them to be better and take a noble path. I started learning how to breakdance and do acrobats. Growing up as an Iranian-American you weren’t presented with a lot of career options but I was determined to show my friends and family there was more out there. I fell in love with breakdancing and acrobats. It was all I could think about and it became my identity and my purpose. However as a teenager I got badly injured trying to do a flip off a wall. I fractured my right forearm and had to get surgery. There was so much swelling in my arm that my nerves were shutting down. The surgeon said I may not be able to ever do any acrobatics again. I was devastated. I had no idea what was ahead of me and I was laying in the hospital bed thinking that a stupid mistake could have cost me my entire future. I felt a deep shame for putting my parents through this. My right arm was in bad shape, and for many months, I couldn’t use it all. Everyday I was scared and sad. However the physical therapists I went to were always patient, motivating, and meticulous. After 9 months of pain and discipline I got to regain function of my dominant arm again. I started breakdancing, training acrobats and eventually became a stunt double for some of Hollywood’s biggest projects. I got to perform as superheros, propelled through the air through a marble statue, and even safely run from an exploding house into the bed of a pickup truck. I lived my dream. Now I’m using what I’ve learned in my journey as a stuntman and physical therapist to help rewrite other people’s stories..
It’s the same meticulous details we do in stunts that I bring to the examination and treatment. From measuring range of motion, strength, to testing nerve tension, nothing is rushed or skipped over. I want people to live their dreams to the best of their ability like the physical therapists I went to helped me live mine. And in order to make dreams a reality, the details matter.
After receiving my doctorate in physical therapy I decided to get further training to receive an orthopedic clinical specialist so I could master those details. I now have my own practice — Unity Physical Therapy — that specializes in working with athletes, martial artists, dancers and stunt performers. I’m also faculty at the same graduate program I was studying at moments before doing one of the biggest stunts of my career. I make sure to encourage the students that the details really do matter and can help transform someone’s life for the better. I’ve gotten the opportunity to help many people avoid unnecessary surgeries, reduce pain medications, be more athletic and skilled in their craft. It feels like my story and dreams are now continuing and instead of being a superhero on film, I get to help others be the hero in their lives.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Doctor of Physical Therapy who is also a professional stuntman for TV and film. I got into the field of physical therapy from dealing with my own injuries in trying to pursue stunts. After multiple surgeries, months off, and researching ways I could get the competitive edge I fell in love with the science of kinesiology. I also really appreciated how as a healthcare professional you are helping someone. At the end of a long work day it feels really good to champion for someone’s health and well being. While still working as a stuntman, I decided to pursue my Doctorate of Physical Therapy and then completed extra training to become an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. Now I have my own clinic, Unity Physical Therapy, that helps athletes, performing artists, martial artists, and stunt performers get assessments about their body. These assessments analyze how much flexibility, strength, and coordination these performers have so I can look for any areas to improve on. Based on those findings, I create a customized game plan to improve these markers so whether they are recovering from an injury or want to perform better at their craft, I can get them there. I am most proud of the level of detail that goes into my examination and treatment. Sessions are a full hour long and clients spend the entire session with me instead of aides/assistants. This way I can do a thorough screen to see if we need a referral to an MD, what the primary problems are, how we can work on them as effectively as possible, and most importantly how all of this ties in with their goals. Everything is science and research based. I am also faculty at my old graduate program so I’m constantly looking up the scientific literature to educate my students and to be able to help my clients as well. I decided to name the company Unity because I bring together scientific research, aspects of wellness, psychology and community all together to create a space for people to excel in their craft.

Do you think you’d choose the same profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Absolutely. I always appreciated science, especially human physiology and biology. I was debating between going to medical school or getting my Doctorate of Physical Therapy. What I love about physical therapy is that I can make some incredible changes to someone’s life with some small but powerful techniques. Sometimes a simple exercise can relieve someone’s pain and build strength so they can move easier. I can use my hands to work on a strained muscle and that can provide so much relief with no side effects that oftentimes is a result of medication or surgery. It’s incredible what a difference some small changes can make. I really take my time to do a proper analysis and run a lot of tests to really hone in on the person’s primary needs, so we can make some big improvements. I also appreciate that I get to spend a lot of time with my clients because not only do I get to address any physical findings but I get to talk to them about their motivation, headspace, and belief. Sometimes just explaining what’s going on in someone’s body is enough for them to feel more comfortable to go back to doing what they love. I don’t think many MDs and surgeons have the luxury of that time with their patients. I really get to foster a connection with my clients and build a community of people all working on excellence together.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe what helped me build my reputation is making integrity a central pillar of my business. From the conversations I’ve had with my clients, there is a sentiment of distrust to the healthcare industry because unfortunately there are providers that prioritize their business over patients. However, I believe that by honestly addressing what my client’s need, the business will grow. If they need something I will tell them and if they don’t need something, even if that means me, I will tell them. Trust is essential. I am there for people when they are really struggling with something that could take them away from the activities they love. In those moments, I want them to know they have someone in their corner that is looking out for them above else.. I am still an athlete and a performer, so I know how much it means to me to be able to spend time doing the activities I love. I want my clients to practice their craft, play their sport, perform their art, and spend their time and money doing that. So if they only need to see me one time, I’m ecstatic because I know that means they will get to spend more time on their craft. Most of my clients are shocked when I tell them I will follow up with them in 6-8 weeks because they are used to their other physical therapist or chiropractor telling them they need to come in 3 times a week. Instead I opt in for longer sessions so we can get all the answers we need in that time. That way I can create a game plan that empowers my clients to be less dependent on me so they can get back to doing what they love sooner. I believe another aspect of integrity is trying your best. Every year in the healthcare industry, we are learning something new. Surgeries, medications, and even physical therapy techniques change every month. It’s a constant evolution but you have to stay on top of the research. In the spirit of integrity I hold myself to the highest standard for my patients and always yearn for the most cutting edge and well researched advancements. It’s part of the reason I teach at a graduate program because it also helps me stay on top of everything that is changing. There is a lot of information coming in from the research but when you can find something that can impact someone’s life, it’s so exciting.

Contact Info:

• Website: unityphysicaltherapy.com
• Instagram: @unityptla
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnityPTLA
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@unityphysicaltherapy56