From Entrepreneur to PT Advocate: Meet Rizing Tide Scholar Li Chen
This is the fourth installment of the 2023 Rizing Tide Lighthouse Series: a series of blogs and video interviews that spotlight our exceptional scholars. Stay tuned for the next installment!
Li Chen’s hard work and dedication have taken her far in life—ultimately helping her excel in Duke University’s doctor of physical therapy (DPT) program. As the first in her family to attend college, Li’s journey from personal trainer to future clinic owner is a story of true grit and determination. She is committed to helping her community and wants to make a real difference in the field of physical therapy.
Li’s life and career plan didn’t include becoming a physical therapist—at first. “I had a first career as a project manager doing health care research,” Li says. But while the work was fulfilling, she felt a disconnect from her personal health. Attending a fitness class at her local YMCA changed that. “A year and a half later, I became an instructor of that class,” Li says. Her newfound passion for fitness led her to become a personal trainer, and she eventually started her own business in Los Angeles.
Though she loved personal training, Li wanted to impact the lives of more and more people. “With a DPT from Duke, I think I will be able to have a much bigger reach and do so much more for clients and patients,” Li says. Inspired by her parents who owned a Chinese takeout restaurant, Li is determined that her entrepreneurial spirit—and connections from Duke—will take her far. “I know that I can have the tools and resources available to me…to really be able to open my own clinic in an underserved community. Much like the one that I grew up in,” Li says.
During her time at Duke, Li has learned important lessons, both in and out of the classroom. “Probably the one that sticks out the most for me is just this general idea of acceptance, and maybe a little bit of radical acceptance,” she says. Balancing PT school with caring for her aging parents hasn’t been easy, but this mindset has helped her navigate these responsibilities.
Looking to the future, Li is passionate about working with amputees. “I took an adapted tech class, which is the class that focuses on prosthetics and adaptive equipment for individuals, and I was amazed by the stories that I heard,” Li says. Li is drawn to this field because it combines orthopedic and neurological skills, and allows clinicians to help people navigate the bumpy roads of life. “I can really harness that energy to help others through most likely a life-changing event for them,” Li says.
Winning the Rizing Tide Crest scholarship has opened new doors for Li. “The scholarship provides incredible mentorship, and I hope to give back by mentoring others too,” Li says. Reflecting on her journey, she adds, “I went from a really tiny, small, scared little girl in Elizabeth, New Jersey, working in a Chinese restaurant…to Duke University. I have my own home. I had my own business, and I’m a first gen college grad, and I feel as though I’m on track to open my own clinic someday.”
