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

Hi Shelia, thanks for joining us 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.

I decided when I was almost 50 years of age to return to school to get my doctorate degree in physical therapy. Don’t ask what I was thinking. At the time I had children that I still drove to school, worked as a physical therapist, and my father was ill.

The requirements to become a physical therapist have changed and are now at a doctorate entry level. I had to go back and
do it. The funny thing is that this degree would make no difference in my salary, this was only for me and my satisfaction with my life.

As a busy mom, wife, employee I didn’t accurately estimate the amount of time and effort that it would take to complete this degree. It completely upended my life, but I completed the work in 2.5 years.

There were many life changes in those few years, I lost my father, I had to take a leave from work the last year and my family life did suffer.

Would I do it again? I am 85% sure I would. It opened doors that I did not think of prior. I have written 2 best -selling books, started public speaking, and switched careers. I am now a health coach, enjoying what I do and happy I have the freedom to do it.

Shelia, 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 am best known as Dr. Shelia- The Pelvic Coach. I help women reduce and eliminate bladder leaks. My background is as a pelvic health, lymphedema, and oncology physical therapist. I have helped hundreds of women reduce and eliminate their bladder leaks in addition to other pelvic health concerns. I also am a health coach certified though ACE and I work with women online to optimize their health through food, sleep and exercise.

I have written 2 best- selling books on Urinary Incontinence, “To Pee or Not To Pee” AND “Stop Worrying About Bladder Leaks”. In addition, I have several online coaching programs that help women normalize their bladder habits. The programs target bladder leaks, nighttime leakage, urinary frequency.

I want women to know bladder leaks are not inevitable with age. Over 90% of women with pelvic issues, especially bladder leaks can be helped.

My website, www.thepelviccoach.com gives women information on pelvic health. I am active on facebook providing reels focusing on pelvic health and general health and wellness Dr. Shelia The Pelvic Coach

Let’s move on to buying businesses – can you talk to us about your experience with business acquisitions?

In 2017 I brought a franchise called Interim Healthcare. The company provides in home care services for seniors by providing licensed professionals to come to their homes to allow them to age in place.

I brought it as a transition out of the Physical Therapy field and to try entrepreneurship. The purchase itself was pretty straight forward, there are 2 things I wished I had done differently. Read the contract 20 more times. There was a small sentence that changed the territory i had once someone purchased next to me.

Brought an established business instead of new. The first 3 years were rough and them we moved to the pandemic. Fortunately, I was able to sell without a loss.

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

I think my background as a physical therapist helped in obtaining clients. I had many years’ experience working with this population and was able to understand many of the challenges that occur with aging. Being able to explain this, show empathy, and also help and suggest solutions was definitely a benefit.

My reputation was built of testimonials and referrals. It is a very slow process though.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thepelviccoach.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/drsheliathepelviccoach