Alaskan Contract Traveler to Author and Content Writer with Monica Roe DPT 028

“It ties into the idea of putting yourself out there, what you put out there actually matters, even if it doesn’t matter until a couple years down the road.” 

Monica Roe is a physical therapist (PT) who graduated from Clarkson University in Northern New York. She began her journey as a clinical practitioner and has now almost fully transitioned into being an author, a part-time PT consultant, and a public health student.

During our conversation, Monica shares how her career took an unexpected turn when her rehab director abruptly resigned. This left Monica in the director position with no mentorship and facing pressure from various areas. This experience prompted Monica to reevaluate her career path and embark on a journey of self-discovery.

Monica decided to take a temporary position as a float to gain experience in different areas. However, a college friend, who recently moved to Alaska, recommended Monica to move to Alaska as well. This eventually led Monica to work as a travel therapist at a hospital in Ketchikan, Alaska. There, she dealt with unique cases, including treating sick patients on cruise ships and working in rural areas. Monica found this experience to be rewarding.

In our episode, Monica also shares how her career took several turns, leading her to work in Belize. She joined an organization that was seeking someone with geographically remote experience and intercultural practice to help establish a community-based rehabilitation outreach in a specific region of the country. She spent a year there, setting up educational programs in schools and focusing on the social model of disability.

Writing has always been a passion for Monica. After her last clinical rotation, she wrote a novel that was eventually published by a small publisher. However, it was after her work in Alaska and Belize that she decided to go back to school for writing, with the support of her husband. Subsequently, she began working as a content creator and writer.

Monica’s story underscores the importance of putting oneself out there, expressing oneself, and making connections. A few years prior to her writing studies, Monica posted her CV on some global health websites and took an online course on CVA. She found the course to be terrible and unchallenging, so she provided honest feedback. This unexpected act led to an opportunity to work with the company as a PT reviewer for their courses.

Throughout her transition, Monica faced numerous struggles. However, she emphasizes the significance of finding one’s path, standing up for one’s values, and fearlessly pursuing dreams. She encourages listeners to seek help and support when needed and to prioritize their well-being above all else. Ultimately, Monica urges everyone to put themselves out there and take chances.

Monicas Website and Instagram