Janelle Behm
Physical Therapist Assistant & Lead Fitness Trainer
Agnesian HealthCare, Fond du Lac
About Me
I am a strong woman who has loved sports and fitness all my life. The things I enjoy include outdoor activities, adventure and life. I am very involved in my church, and do mission trips which challenge my physical, and mental skills, and refine my faith.
Although I'm a physical therapist assistant and lead fitness trainer my initial career path was in the field of psychology. At first I wanted to be a Christian counselor, but after a few years in the profession I missed the physical components and all my years in the medical/science world. I then returned to school, and got my physical therapist assistant degree.
I did therapy in different capacities for several years, and then had the chance to work on opening a health club and running the fitness part of the club. It was a great chance to put my love of athletics and physical challenges to work in my career. I then taught exercise classes, was the lead of the fitness center, did personal training one half of the day and the other half continued with the physical therapy. I also did aquatic therapy so was challenged by land and sea!
My latest endeavor has been to open an employee fitness center for my company. I have now moved into full time running of this fitness center, teaching exercise classes, personal training and keeping my peers motivated with a lifestyle of fitness and exercise.
Why this Profession?
This profession was chosen because it wrapped up all my skills in school, my love of athletics and being active and seemed like a great career. It will challenge me forever with schooling as I'll need to maintain a license. Physical Therapy also has so many areas within the field, that I knew I could move within the field and never be bored with my job! It is a challenge working with patients or clients and figuring out what they need to stretch or strengthen. It challenges me physically to teach exercise classes, and always stay a step ahead of my students...it is a way to live a healthy lifestyle and practice what I preach.
True stories
Once I had a patient who was crushed by a part of a crane. He was sent by flight for life, and had multiple surgeries to repair his injuries prior to my ever seeing him. When we started working together, this man who had been a supervisor for a large pipeline company and a hard working man, was not able to get up and down from the floor alone, or lift his leg without assistance. I saw this man every day, we'd work on his strength, stretch his muscles and rebuild not only his body but his self-esteem and will to live. We worked together for over a year and by the time he left, he was able to return to his former job, despite doctors saying he may never walk normally again. He was in the best shape of his life! It inspired me to overcome in my personal life because of all he was able to achieve and overcome.
I have also had several personal training success stories. One woman, who turned 50 and was borderline diabetic, had high cholesterol, was 80 pounds overweight and had never exercised in her life. I have worked with her, physically and mentally and in a year's time, she is 50 pounds lighter, has improved self esteem and has adopted a healthy lifestyle. Her medications are way down, cholesterol down and no longer borderline diabetic. The 50 year old women who was in terrible shape, is now in the best shape of her life!
Getting through school
I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology form Taylor University, and a PTA (physical therapy assistant) license and then returned for an associate degree from Oakton Community College.
The biggest challenge was returning to school and having to work and go to school full time. I wouldn't change a thing; however, as it has all shaped me into who I currently am. It's okay not to know what you want to do and switch careers, just be ready to work hard!
Some advice
If you are thinking about a career in a field such as mine, you should take high school courses in math, science, chemistry, and physics. Take a foreign language, public speaking and any anatomy classes offered as well!
The Future
With all the changes in insurance, less and less is paid for and less and less visits covered, patients are expected to take more responsibility for their own care in a competitive market. In physical therapy the hours worked are longer, including nights, weekends and holidays.
I want to continue to enhance my skills with teaching exercise classes by taking courses and learning more activities, moving into less impact activities so I can stay in this profession for a long time without sacrificing my own body.
Last Thoughts
Healthcare and fitness are great careers! As the price of health care increases, the skills someone like myself possesses will be needed to improve health instead of treating disease. Isn’t that a great thing?