In honor of International Women’s Day, we wanted to highlight some of the *amazing* women I’ve been lucky enough to cross paths and work with in the past. Each of these women have a unique story to tell - and I hope their message of perseverance, courage, and self-confidence inspire you like each of them inspire me!

Dr. Jen Esquer, PT, DPT, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, creator of the Mobility Method and the Optimal Body, podcast host, and member of the Women’s Health Magazine Advisory Board. As a world-renowned Physical Therapist, Dr. Jen helps people overcome chronic pain and gain back their mobility. She started an online business and, while she never meant to become an influencer, she’s happy she did! Social media has helped her reach and help people all over the world gain their movement back. 

We caught up with Dr. Jen and asked her a few questions about her career, success, advice for other women and her role models. Read all about Dr. Jen below and be sure to follow her on social media @docjenfit and check out her website. 

Do you have an "ah-ha" moment that changed your life/career path?

I did have an "ah-ha" moment that changed my career path! As much as people around me would tell me they could see big things and not sure I would work for someone at a typical physical therapy clinic, I ultimately had to come to the conclusion on my own. I had been asked to shoot for Strong Magazine. It was an incredible offer and luckily, shooting fell on a weekend, so I was able to make it without having to take off work at the clinic. Directly following that shoot it hit me, "what if it fell on a weekday and I couldn't get off work?" I decided at that moment, this was my time to take a chance on me. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, I could always come back to the clinic later if things didn't work out on my own. So, I texted my bosses (all three of them) and told them we needed to talk Monday. I immediately received a text back from one saying, "Please don't leave." They knew! But it was time. And since then, I have never looked back :)

What do you attribute to your success?

Success looks a lot of different ways for different people. For me, it's not the money or status of making it on big networks or press. Sure, those are all great and help to expand the reach of people I can impact. However, for me, success is the ability to continually empower people into their bodies to feel a positive change they might not have otherwise thought possible. I believe my continued "success" has been due to always following this drive to help people. Rather than getting wrapped in numbers or status, I am committed to understanding what is working for people, how they are taking in and using information, and how I can make it more accessible. I am focused on my purpose. The more I lean in to listening to how I can continue to help, the more it continues to open and expand.

What advice do you have for other women?

For other women, I would say to keep going. Doubt will creep in, keep going. Naysayers will have opinions, keep going. Listen to the little voice deep within and follow it. For a while, I had been in a relationship that was taking me more and more away from listening to my intuition. I became lost, got shingles, and started to doubt myself. It wasn't until I finally understood what was going on outside of that relationship that I was able to let it go and finally come back to me. Though painful stepping away from someone I loved, I felt an immense amount of freedom that allowed me to truly fly. I was finally able to trust myself. With this trust came collaborative, supportive friendships that allowed all of us women to grow together. It allowed me to show up in business as fully myself and far succeed the person I had been. Trust yourself. Listen to yourself. And always, ask for support as often as needed. You got this.

Who's your female role model?

I have a few female role models, and all of them are within my family. My grandmother had a grit and toughness that demanded a room and showed up powerfully. Through her toughness was unconditional big love. My mother shows up in a similar way. She is a constant mover, naturally motivated, and constantly giving. She hardly slows down and yet makes it a priority to always take care of her health as well. My sister seamlessly juggles kids, hardships, full-time work, friends and her home like a magician. These women never complained. They just show up. Over and over and over again. These are my role models. It's not about being perfect, it's just about being willing to show up.

I personally love Dr. Jen’s story - when you think of someone going to medical school, you never think they’ll become an international social media influencer! Dr. Jen’s passion for helping people led her down a non-traditional career path for a Doctor of Physical Therapy, but now she gets to do what she loves on a global scale.

Thanks, Dr. Jen for being a kick a** female and a role model for so many women out there! We know women out there are looking up to you with the same admiration that you look up to your grandmother, mother, and sister with.