Meet Jayna Williams | Physical Therapist and Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jayna Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jayna, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in South Korea and was placed into foster care at birth. I was adopted at 6 months old and raised in Seattle, Washington. We didn’t have much growing up but my parents raised my brother and I with strong work ethics and the belief that we could do anything we set our minds to. Some ask me if I ever feel a sense of abandonment or anger since I was put up for adoption, but I find it quite the opposite. I have always used my “second chance” as an opportunity and a blessing. That being said, I have always lived with a mentality for success while also hoping to bless other’s lives with my work.

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?
My business, Jayna Williams Physiotherapy, was created just over a year ago. It was always my biggest hope to work for myself. For years I rushed through patients, just trying to finish each one on time and hoped that whatever I provided was enough. I was tired and truly wasn’t enjoying what I was doing. I wanted to treat patients without time limits or insurance barriers. I wanted to treat the WHOLE patient and have time to ask about their QOL, nutrition, stress levels, and all the other important things that can go hand in hand with pain.
This journey hasn’t been easy. Initially, I reached out to other models similar to my own and asked a lot of questions. I am extremely thankful for each of them, and am also thankful for the referrals for website and social media assistance. Realistically I probably could have done this all on my own, but I’m all about working smarter not harder. Being a mom I had to be realistic with my time, and some of these important pieces required to create a business could not be done in my 24 hours each day.
I hope that when people think of me and my business they think of their experience as positive and encouraging. I hope I can be the health care professional that helped them reach their goals, not shatter their dreams. I love what I do, but it’s truly because of my patients and their own successes that give me the most joy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
No trip to LA is complete without attending some sort of sporting event. I’ve always been a huge sports fan and nothing beats visiting other stadiums for a game. Whether it’s the Dodgers, Lakers, or USC football, I promise you won’t be disappointed. I’d recommend trying as many restaurants in as many neighborhoods as possible. Some of my favorites include Johnnie’s Pastrami, Love Hour in K Town, and Broad Street Osyter Company. Finally, I definitely going on a run or even a walk while you’re in LA. This is one of the best ways to explore a city you’ve never been to. Read the blogs or ask around about some good trails or routes – along the beach in Santa Monica, Kenneth Hahn, or Griffith Park are good options! Whatever your interests are: museums, concerts, farmers markets, shopping, etc. there’s something for everyone.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe much of my recent success and support from the running community of Los Angeles (and my husband). I took up long distance running as a hobby and way to get to know people, but little did I know the impact this community would have on my life. I can’t thank people like Marvin Garcia, Co-founder of Good Vibes Track Club, Joni David, a well known personal trainer in Los Angeles, and Erik Valiente, founder of Blacklist LA for initially encouraging me to spread my wings and step out of my comfort zone. For years I mentioned to them in passing my dream of starting my own business or creating “food truck” physical therapy. At the time I was single and running and work were basically my life priorities. I was getting burned out trying to complete an orthopedic residency and pay off student loans at the same time. They each played a role in encouraging risk and just being happy whatever that meant. Fast forward and I can’t thank each one of them enough. My husband Donte was truly the other big push I needed to take the first step. Shout out to all the others in the running community who have supported my business and trusted my knowledge. You are what makes this possible!

Website: http://www.jaynawilliams.com

Instagram: @drjaynawilliams

Linkedin: Jayna Lehman-Williams

Twitter: @Drjaynawilliams

Facebook: Jayna Williams Physiotherapy

Other: Google Reviews: Jayna Williams Physiotherapy

Image Credits
Credit: Andrew Castro