LiL: 24 | A Physical Therapist's Journey w/ Alicia Wagner Kaplan

LiL: 24 | A Physical Therapist's Journey w/ Alicia Wagner Kaplan

From Lean into Love by Gina Velez

May 19, 2026 · 51 min · Season 2 · Episode 4

About this episode

Alicia Wagner Kaplan discusses her journey to becoming a physical therapist after her sister's stroke and explores the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in healing.

Episode Summary In this heartfelt and wide-ranging conversation, Alicia Wagner Kaplan shares how her sister’s stroke at age 26 changed the trajectory of her life - and ultimately led her to become a physical therapist. Watching her sister relearn how to walk, talk, and reclaim her independence opened Alicia’s eyes to the transformative power of rehabilitation. Now five years into her career, Alicia works in outpatient physical therapy, where she helps patients return not just to sport - but to life. But this episode goes far beyond biomechanics. Together, we explore: The interconnected nature of mind, body, and spirit Why pain often flares during stress (even when nothing “physical” changed) The concept of allostatic load and how chronic stress lowers our pain threshold Why society more easily validates physical pain than mental health struggles The overlap between occupational therapy and mental health care Whether trauma is “stored” in the body—and how to think about that question with nuance The role of healthcare professionals in advocacy and social justice Empathy, boundaries, and not taking your patients’ pain home with you Choosing love over fear in relationships, faith…

People in this episode

Host: Gina Velez

Guest: Alicia Wagner Kaplan

Topics covered

  • rehabilitation
  • mental health
  • physical therapy
  • trauma
  • advocacy
  • empathy

Keywords

  • physical therapy
  • rehabilitation
  • mental health
  • chronic stress
  • pain management
  • trauma
  • advocacy

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