Dr. Heather Moore has been an athlete her entire life. In a round-about way, her time as a competitive swimmer and water polo player in college led her towards a career as a physical therapist and — eventually — an entrepreneur.
“I went to the University of Maryland on a swimming scholarship,” Dr. Moore recalls, “I had lots of shoulder problems and, as a result, lots of physical therapy. I had considered focusing on orthopedic surgery, but I liked the idea of seeing my patients from start to finish.” That fateful decision has helped Dr. Moore solidify her position as a leader in the field of physical therapy not only in Philadelphia, but nationwide.
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Hitting the Ground Running
Dr. Moore may have received her education in Maryland, but when it was time to start her career and set up shop, she came home to her native Pennsylvania. Having grown up in Souderton, outside of Philadelphia, the familiar surroundings and close family ties helped provide a solid foundation for Dr. Moore to open her own practice, Total Performance Physical Therapy.
As an entrepreneur, Dr. Moore has felt the pressure many business owners feel in wanting to scale their businesses while providing stable employment for their employees. “As an entrepreneur, your priorities change based on what stage you are in.” Dr. Moore explains. “You start out just trying to survive. Now, I have to worry about prioritizing my employees.”
Her employees likely have little to worry about, as Total Performance Physical Therapy and Dr. Moore herself have experienced wild success since the practice was first established. Dr. Moore has stacked over 1,000 hours of education onto her degrees, including classes in Paris, courses in orthotic prescription, and certification in kinesiotaping. She has also shared her knowledge through textbooks and Advance Magazine, PhillyFit, and Men’s Fitness articles. Her own book “Run Better Not Less” was released in March of 2015.
Most recently, Dr. Moore was selected to be a part of the United States Olympic Sports Medicine Team.
Education is Key
Education continues to be essential for Dr. Moore, both in her personal life and for her patients’. She firmly believes that education is a part of the healing process; if people understand how they were injured and how they are meant to heal, they can prevent further injury.
Dr. Moore is also a voracious reader, devouring a number of books that help fuel her passion for her business. “I love to read, and I have read so many great books. I’ve loved ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad,’ ‘Lean In,’ ‘The 5 AM Club,’ and ‘Untamed,’ just to name a few,” she says.
Through her contributions to various publications, including a feature columnist gig with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Dr. Moore hopes to pay forward what the inspiration and information that her own education and reading has given her.
Never Give Up
When one is tackling a start-up business with a competitor’s spirit, few things can keep them down for the count. “It is at the bottom where change happens,” Dr. Moore says, “I think about all the times when things happened to me at my worst. I thought about quitting so many times.”
Starting and growing her successful physical therapy venture was no easy feat. Dr. Moore came up against many hurdles that any entrepreneur might be forced to face, including having her entire front desk staff walk out on her after she fired a business manager who was stealing from her. She rallied therapists and local college students to help bridge the gap in service and, at one point, even had her parents answering phones. “If you have a great team and remain honest with them, they will help you.”
Dr. Moore’s team, coupled with her willingness to work through uncomfortable times, have resulted in massive business growth and opportunities. “You have to be comfortable being uncomfortable. The more your business grows, the more uncomfortable you are. If it bothers you, then change will never happen,” she says.
Never Stop Running
Dr. Moore still actively participates in sports, namely 5K and 10-mile races, half and full marathons, and triathlons. The competitive spirit surrounding these events also fuels her drive in other areas of life.
“I believe the answer is to never stop running, find a way to make it happen,” Dr. Moore says. While she may be referencing the physical act of running for health benefits, continuing to move and hit milestones remains good evergreen business advice, as well.
Dr. Moore is headed into the next few years poised to make a name for herself in the physical therapy space. She credits her parents with always inspiring her to “keep running,” physically and metaphorically.
“My parents taught me many of the values that it takes to be an entrepreneur,” she explains. “Never quitting, working hard, never blaming anyone but yourself, rewarding people for hard work, juggling kids and a profession, remaining honest, as well as rising early to get the job done — and doing it right.”
