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
• W ...