Meet Meaghan Staples | Doctor of Physical Therapy and Business Owner

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

Hi Meaghan, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
My goal is to become a pillar in the community that changes how women view the birthing experience. I know this wave is coming and I feel as though I can play an integral part of this change because I have such an extensive anatomical and biomechanical knowledge base. If you really think about it, labor progression greatly depends on body position and gravity. I think if collectively we can shift our minds to believe that the idea of birth is just a change in ones physiological state as opposed to a medical condition that needs to be constantly monitored and treated, then we are not only going to see mothers have better labors and recovery, but I believe it will lead to a stronger mother-baby bond and connection. I mean, our bodies have a way of storing memories – good, bad, and ugly. So if a woman has traumatic birth, who’s to say that she doesn’t hold a little bit of resentment or negative feelings toward her child? How does this effect the child (who is so intuitive) as they grow up? What if more women gave birth in a way where they felt strong, empowered, calm, and had the knowledge to be confident in their ability to give birth? I just see a lot of potential for generational healing and nourishment.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I own a cash-based physical therapy clinic and started up a little over a year ago. What sets this model apart from other PT clinics is that my clients have the opportunity to get more efficient, effective, and individualized treatments as well as the freedom to progress to long-lasting and preventative results if desired. My clinic offers an opportunity for people to invest in their health and educate themselves on how to manage their bodies so that they can live the life they intend to live without physical restriction. My clientele consists of people who have active lifestyles and perinatal women. This sounds silly but once I let myself think and really believe that I could actually have what I wanted, is when the doors of opportunity and ideas of creativity came flowing out of me. Since then, I can feel my mindset slowly changing from the rigid and limited thought process that got engrained from being in school and working with insurances to a more limitless and humane approach. Instead of thinking “I don’t know if I can do that”, I am working on thinking “how can I make that happen if I wanted to.” So definitely my biggest lesson from running a business is that you need to be in the right mind set. I am so grateful that I have found myself in this position because there’s something about the business world that pushes you to live up to your true potential. I am just excited to keep taking steps to implement my vision.

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.
Ha I laugh because my initial thought is of the friends that have visited me from out of state, I always take them to the place where I met my husband. It’s this rustic and divey little Irish Pub called Paddy Murphy’s in Bangor, Maine. The food is yummy but I like to share my memories. This is kind of a hard question for me as I have a two-year old and think that going to open gym and watching her jump on the trampoline is the definition of a good time! So here’s a shoutout to all the moms out there who also think hanging out with their kids is the best way to hang out.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh man, all the people I have met along the way have got me to where I am! Of course I thank my Mom, Dad and sister for supporting my morale especially when I was in graduate school because boy, was that tough. I want to thank my gymnastics coaches growing up: you ignited my passion and taught me discipline when I needed it the most. Thank you to UW-La Crosse Track and Field: though I am gone and graduated, a piece of my heart will always belong to that team and that place. To Matt Gehrke: you sat with me when I was in the dark. To the boyfriends that didn’t work out: thank God it didn’t, or I wouldn’t be where I am today! To my daughter: you sparked this mission to change birth on earth. Finally, to my husband: the one who helped me remember who I am.

Website: refinephysicaltherapy.com

Instagram: refine.physicaltherapy

Image Credits
Britney Kelley