Meet Tracy Karas | Physical Therapist, Doctor of Physical Therapy

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

Hi Tracy, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
To be honest, at the time I had just spent 2 years investing in a company heart and soul, only to realize that my goals and theirs did not align. I was just another employee. So, I figured, why not direct that energy towards how I wanted to see patients treated and stop trying to force my dreams onto someone else.
It was time to channel that energy in a more positive way.

What should our readers know about your business?
I opened a cash pay Physical Therapist practice that is home-based, but also mobile. Essentially a concierge style (but not totally on-call 24 hours/day!) practice. Because my work is not dictated by insurance models, we can really focus on what the patients needs and cater it to their best interest. Do you need more manual treatment and care to keep you going while we review your exercises? Let’s do it. Do you want to exercise with me so I know you’re safe and we can progress to your goals? Let’s do that! Do you need me to go with you to the gym and set-up a program that we can tweak every few weeks (but make sure you’re safe at the gym in the first place)? Let’s do that too! This is kind of how I’ve always wanted to practice. Not 6 visits because that was all you are approved for and here are you 10 low back exercises to do at home that I know you won’t really do, so I’ll see you again in a few months for the same problem type of practice. That is what most therapy is able to provide because they are restricted by an insurance model. Here I’d rather practice and work towards a long-term solution for patients that will keep them healthier longer. I’m here for maybe a touch-up visit occasionally or if they start something new. It is personalized to each patient’s goals and needs.

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.
Oh man, my best friend Dusty and I already do what we call Adventure Days, where we plan a whole day around things we want to explore. The general Phoenix area has been exploding and I’m so proud of all this area has to offer these days. We like to throw in crazy workouts and then eat our way through the rest of the day.

If we had a week, we would finally get to do some of the workouts, like the trampoline fitness at Strait Body, maybe try more of the acrobatics classes at Vertical Fix, get to do a silks + pole class at Purple Palace, finally try a boxing class at Knockout or Jab or maybe we’d just go back to some of our favorite classes at Elevate or Prowess Pole Fitness.

We would also finally get to go to Undertow or any of the amazing speakeasys around the valley and we have a ton of dessert places we want to go to on the West Side of town including Cereal Killers, etc.

There would be daily workouts and a ton of desserts. 🙂

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?
There are a lot of people that deserve shoutouts honestly. My boyfriend Wade for one. He took the news of me just not wanting to go into another job and wanting to give this a go surprisingly well and has been very supportive of the uncertainties that come with that. My friend Krista who has not only provided an amazing amount of resources with her company Noelle Estelle, but also just in listening to me complain and idea bounce during transitions. My best friend Dusty, for her continued support in whatever random adventures I want to try (and for helping me stay out of my comfort zone).  And to be honest, all of the patients who have trusted me with their care and the friends that have promoted what I’m doing. I appreciate their support and general awesomeness.

Website: https://betterfittherapy.com/

Instagram: @betterfittherapy

Facebook: Better Fit Therapy

Other: Don’t forget to sign-up for our monthly newsletters on our Website!

Image Credits
Would just like to credit the gyms and workout centers that have allowed me to come in including Elevate Aerial Yoga, Prowess Pole Fitness, Trena Edwards Fitness, Tough Lotus, and Herb N. Oasis