Interview with Physical Therapist: Mercia Martin

Interviews with Therapists • By Mercia Martin • Published on December 12, 2023

Hi! My name is Mercia Martin, and I am a physical therapist, digital creator and outreach coordinator! I’m originally from the Republic of Congo and immigrated to the US as an international college student. When I’m not working, I enjoy hiking, camping, cooking, and watching movies with my husband Eric. A fun fact about me is that my native language is French and I learned English when I moved to the US!

What did you go to school for? 

I received a Bachelor of Sciences in Health Sciences and a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.

What is your current job title and how has that changed since you first started working?

My current job title is physical therapist and outreach coordinator. I first started working in 2020 as a staff physical therapist. At the beginning of this year (2023), I stepped into the outreach coordinator role for the outpatient practice I work for. I now work a hybrid role with a mix of patient care 4 days a week and 1 day a week of remote outreach work which consists of event planning and programming, social media management, content creation, community engagement, networking, and marketing.

What made you decide to become a therapist?

I decided to pursue a career in physical therapy because of a profound calling to help those who have suffered a neurological injury return to living their lives in the most independent way possible. I’ve always had an interest for understanding in the human body and love how physical therapy at the intersection of both preventative and rehabilitative medicine.  

What are some different roles you’ve held since becoming a therapist? Feel free to include any side hustles/part time work!

I work full time as a physical therapist and outreach coordinator. 2 years ago, I started an Instagram page which has grown and become another source of revenue through affiliate work and brand partnerships.

What would you share with someone who wanted to find a position like yours or build a company/brand such as yours?

Stay anchored on your why. The healthcare system can definitely lead to burnout, so having a clear ‘why’ and mission statement for what you want your professional career to be can help when times get hard.

What would you share with someone who is starting their journey to be a therapist?

Don’t give up! Your work is going to be so impactful and meaningful for others around you. Your future patients are going to be so grateful for your help – it truly is one of the most rewarding professions!

What are you most passionate about with your role as a therapist?

What I am most passionate about and by far my favorite part of my role is that human connection with another person and getting to educate others on how to live healthier lives. I love community health and how as physical therapists we get to not only help people recover from injuries, but also provide resources for people to learn more about how to live longer and healthier lives. I enjoy volunteering in the community with non-profit organizations because I feel passionate about reaching people right where they are, regardless of their ability to pay for services. 

What advice would you give your younger self?

I’ve been reflecting a lot on this lately and if I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be “hold on, life gets so much better”. I made the decision to move to the United States at the age of 17, and I don’t think I ever envisioned what life today would be. At the time, I was planning on pursuing a physics and engineering degree and was excited at the idea of starting a new adventure in a foreign country. I don’t believe I was prepared to face the struggles that I did, to experience profound homesickness, stress and anxiety. Yet, in the midst of those challenges I reconnected with my Faith, found the love of my life, got called to a profession that is so fulfilling it fills my cup, even on the hardest of days, and gained such a deeper gratitude and appreciation for my family, my friends and the many sacrifices my parents have made. Life today is oh so sweet, it is nothing like what I had envisioned. It is so much better. So, if I could go back and speak to younger Mercia, I would tell her to keep going, to not give up, to seek God, and to have hope. It truly does get better.

What are you most proud of in your journey to where you are today?

An article I had been working on for several years recently made its way to publication! It can be found HERE!

I am very proud of this work and thankful for the amazing women I had the privilege of co-writing with. I never in a million years thought I would ever have any article published so this truly means a lot.

What are ways our readers can connect with you and follow what you are up to?

What an incredible journey! Thank you for sharing with us on Jobs For Therapists.