Q: When did you realize, your career path would be in Healthcare?
NM: As a kid, I was always involved in athletics and naturally wanted to have a “job” that would allow me to enjoy sports. With the help of my mom, I found the perfect career path for myself. I have literally wanted to be a physical therapist since 7th grade. Interesting enough, every job I had was aligned with my ultimate goal of becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy. 

Q: What expectations did you have after graduating and receiving your master’s degree?
NM: I actually expected to get a job that paid like a “Master’s degree” should pay, and that was the farthest from reality. For three years I was unable to find a job within my field of study, kinesiology. It was a reality check then that a “degree”, even a Masters, meant every little in the corporate world. 

Q: What type of patient issues do you usually see?
NM: I specialize in pelvic floor physical therapy (PFPT), which encompasses the muscles that control bowel, bladder, and sexual function. Most of my patients suffer from urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, pain with intercourse, constipation, low back, and hip pain. I also treat women during pregnancy and postpartum that suffer with pain, weakness, diastasis recti, or urinary incontinence.

Q: Can you share with our audience about the time you spent teaching.
NM: I taught Health and Wellness which addressed all aspects of health and wellness over the lifespan, as an adjunct instructor. Teaching this class was fun and interesting because I was able to incorporate real life examples from the hospital to the content, I was teaching my students. That’s one of the reasons I fell in love with wellness; it’s multifaceted and affects every aspect of our lives. 

Q: What happened to make Refined became more than just an idea?
NM: Dr. Chryston and I began to envision more for ourselves as PTs, as women, and as entrepreneurs. We realized we were sitting on a precious gem and doing a disservice to women (and men) by not sharing the good news about PFPT with the world. We want to advocate and educate people and physicians that the common problems individuals suffer from can be treated conservatively. 

Q: You have a special project in the works … can you tell us a little about it?  
NM: Because we are still in the beginning stages of the project, we are not able to speak much on it, however, what we can share is that it will be something beneficial to mothers immediately after having their precious baby. 

Q: Can you tell our audience one of your most memorable moments in your career?
NM: One of my most memorable moments of my career was when I took the first continuing education course for PFPT. It was life changing!

Q: What's the greatest fear you've had to overcome to get where you are today?  
NM: Being told no was my greatest fear, however, I knew that to get to where I wanted to be, being told no would just be a part of the process. 

Q: Which woman inspires you and why? 
NM: My mother is definitely my biggest inspiration. While postponing her dreams, she made sure I accomplished mine and more. She is selfless, extremely intelligent, loving, and pretty successful herself. 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?
NM: My advice to young women is to be an advocate for yourself. If there is training or a job promotion you want that will help with your personal and professional goals, ask, apply, and repeat!  

Q: What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your career that you can share with our audience?
NM: I’ve learned to advocate for myself in corporate America. Unfortunately, once you begin working a job, it is easy for your superiors to forget about your personal and professional goals that you all set initially. There were/are specific goals I set for myself and will always be determined to achieve them. 

Five Things About Dr. NaPortia Mitchell

1. If you could talk to one famous person past or present, who would it be and why?
Beyoncé! Aside from being a fan, I think as a businesswoman, entrepreneur, wife, and mother she exudes such grace. I would love to hear her thought process and strategies on how she manages everything, including self-care. 

2. What’s the best advice anyone’s given you?
“Never give up on a dream because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” Earl Nightingale 

3. How do you release stress?
I pray and meditate daily to keep my stress as low as possible and sometimes I go for a walk outside for fresh air. 

4. Who had the most influence on you growing up?
My parents had the most influence on my life, completely different perspectives, however, I feel it made me a well-rounded individual. 

5. Where’s your dream vacation?
Barcelona, Spain and the Greek Islands

Dr. NaPortia Mitchell
www.refinedtherapy.com
(470) 384.984