Meet Evan Johnson | Physical Therapist
We had the good fortune of connecting with Evan Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Evan, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In terms of being able to help my patients nd clients solve the problem that led them to me, I was not able to offer them the best solution for the first 2 years in practice. I was working in private practice outpatient physical therapy clinics. I was billing insurance, which means that although my employer was the physical therapy clinic, I effectively worked for health insurance companies. This means I was playing by their rules. Their rules are centered around keeping as much money as possible, and Insurance reimbursement keeps getting lower and lower, each year. Ultimately, this meant I was pressured to see multiple patients in the same hour because the clinic I worked for needed to increase the volume of patients we worked with throughout the day. Higher volume meant the clinic was able to make the profit needed to be a successful business. Higher volume commonly comes at the sacrifice of time and quality of care for patients. It was common for me to only be able to spend 10-15 minutes with my patients and clients, which made it very difficult to be able to work with, and teach my patients what was necessary for them to heal their problem.
I knew I needed to circumvent the obstruction to the high quality so many people desire out of their healthcare.. So I decided I would just start selling my services directly to my clients and patients. Now I work for them, and only them.. I can focus solely on what they need to solve the problem they face, and nothing else.
In my opinion, this was my only choice. How could I stay in a position that means I am not helping people with what I know to my fullest potential? Physical therapy is underestimated and extremely powerful, especially when it is personalized and the doctor is free to use it as they are trained.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Vital Fortitude Rehab and Performance is a physical therapy and wellness practice I started last year. The whole goal is to help people overcome injuries and pain in a way that empowers them for the rest of their life. Not only do I help people feel better and recover from injuries or nagging pains, but I teach them why it occurs, and how things work in a way they can understand. This is what leads to my clients ending with a greater appreciation for their bodies and transforming a feeling of vulnerability, to durability.
My journey to now was born of necessity. The stakes are high for people. What is the cost to someone’s life when they incur an injury, and don’t get the treatment they need? All too commonly, people go to their PCP and are told something along the lines of: “Oh you have a shoulder injury. Try PT and if it doesnt work we will get an MRI and maybe do surgery.” Then they go to this PT clinic that is churning in and out patients where they get some massage and an aide telling them to do exercises niether of them really understand fully, and end with a hot pack or e-stim. Sometimes this works, and its a relief. Many times, it is not optimal, and maybe results in short-term relief. Sometimes people will only leave their PCP’s office with a prescription for pain meds and told to rest. This is not what healthcare should be. We need to holistically understand the person who comes in with an injury. Then we can treat them and provide lasting results.
The decision was easy. I simply have a responsibility to provide solutions for people when they experience an injury or pain that is not surgery, or pharmaceuticals when possible. I know how it can be done, because I have experienced these solutions myself.
I wouldn’t say the process was easy, but it was pretty simple. In my mind, here it is: Form relationships and give what you can to others. If what you have to offer is helpful to solve people’s problems, they will pay you for it. If not, they won’t pay you for it. if that’s the case, get better at solving the problem and then try again.
Fortitude means courage in the face of adversity. What gives us fortitude is the belief that we can get to a better place through our struggle. Overall, Vital Fortitude is about showing people the healing potential of their own body. It is about showing people they CAN heal and feel better from their chronic back pain or rotator cuff injury, or knee pain. It is not hopeless, even if our medical system has let you down already.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This would definitely depend on what they are interested in. I have had a great time at The Observatory in North Park. It is such an intimate venue. I would definitely take them to sunset cliffs in Point Loma to take in the beauty of a San Diego sunset at its best.
There is so much to do here, that I have not even explored, and I would of course have an easy time finding new things to try for both of us, based on my friend’s interest.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Dr. Owen and Jen Johnston at Advanced Physical Therapy and Wellness. They taught me so much about how to get my practice started. They are incredible people and do so much for their community within their own practice.
Website: https://vitalfortitude.com/
Instagram: vital.fortitude
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX2TyW5zbQaClACsvRbgbKQ
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