Meet Evan Motlong | Physical Therapist and Sports Performance Coach

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

Hi Evan, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I feel risk taking is necessary for all successful business owners, or successful people in general. I don’t believe anyone successful got where they are without taking a risk and taking that “leap of faith.” I am a big believer that taking a big risk is directly correlated with believing in yourself. Sometimes you have to be pushed towards believing in yourself and taking that risk, and sometimes you naturally stumble upon it, but either way, it causes you to look inward and say “I am going to do this.” In my life and career risk taking has been a staple for me in helping me get to where I am today with my business but also just as a person. Risk taking has taught me a lot about myself, it has taught me self reliance, self love, confidence, and a stronger belief in myself. It has taught me that I have the tools to set out and achieve whatever it is I say I want to achieve, I just have to see it, believe it, know its mine, and then go get it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career is first and foremost as a Sports Physical Therapist and Strength & Conditioning Coach. I went to school for 7 years total, 4 years of College in Colorado which involved playing basketball which is what drove me to working with athletes. Then I moved to Charleston, South Carolina where I attended Medical University of South Carolina for 3 years, and I received my Doctorate Degree in Physical Therapy. Since then I have attended countless continuing education courses on ACL rehabilitation, sports performance, and speed development to name a few. The road has not been easy, if anything it has shown me over and over how built I am for this. I encountered failure at every turn including needing to re take my licensure exam 2x, and my strength and conditioning certificate took me 3 attempts. I was overlooked for certain opportunities I felt I deserved, but I stayed with it, stuck to the plan, and believed in the process. The most powerful lesson I learned along the way, is a winner is just a loser who got back up again.

While all of these things are great accomplishments, what sets me apart from others is the impact I have made and can continue to make on people that look like me or may have a similar underdog story. My most proud moments of my career have nothing to do with my accolades as a student, even winning The South Carolina Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association Student of the Year award. I was able to accomplish helping bring a socially and racially divided city together during a turbulent time in May 2020, I provided mentorship and guidance to the inner city youth, and I helped teach, spread love, and spread awareness to systemic issues in our society that brought a whole community together. That is my most proud accomplishment, that is what sets me apart.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When my best friends visit me I will definitely be taking them to some of my favorite restaurants Miami has to offer. Now, remember, I have only been here for 1 year, so I am no expert yet. but I will do my best. I love brunch, so I would have to hit up the brunch at Mila on the beach. The vibes are 10/10 and it’s in a great location. Then after a Bloody Mary or 2, I would show them the beaches that Miami has to offer, which are some of the best in the USA. Then I would kick back and relax and go see a movie at the Brickell City Center theater which serves food and drinks. For dinner something nice and simple such as Suviche, which is my favorite spot in Miami. The next day we would wake up go play basketball at Boxr or Jose Marti Gym, and then shower up and get ready for lunch. I would take them to Calle 8 and show them the real, authentic Miami. I love a good Ropa Vieja so Chuggs would be the spot there. For night time, I would have to take a trip down the Grove, and hit up the rooftop of Level 6 and then stroll over to Sushi Garage for dinner. They have great sushi and it’s just in a great area. The next few days would consist of gym, then we would opt for an escape room. I have found 2 spots in Miami, but my favorite is actually in Brickell City Center, it was a blast! For dinner it’s time to hit up Moxie’s in Brickell for food, drinks, and catch a game on one of their many TV’s. The next day would be back to midtown for lunch at Negroni, then dinner at Sparrow in Wywnood. Their Wagyu Carpaccio is to die for. Finally for a night out we would stay in Wynwood and go to Mayami, the best spot in my opinion.

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?
I 100% agree that I would not be where I am today without the help, support, push, and encouragement of several key people and organizations. To start I have to give my main shoutout to my mother, Melanie Motlong. She is my ride or die, my go to when I am in a jam, and she has pushed and molded me into the man I am today. From the moment she realized I could listen to a song two or three times and memorize the lyrics, she pushed me to get my doctorate degree because she knew what I was capable of. I am so grateful to her because there were days I wanted to give up and throw in the towel because I did not think I could do it anymore, and she was always there to remind me that if I want to have things in this world I would have to sacrifice. Success comes with a price. Looking back I appreciate the lessons and the blessings. My dad is another person I owe a huge thank you to. He has taught me how to be a stronger man in the face of adversity and go through a tough time instead of running away. I would not be where I am at now without that key lesson. My dad is also a business owner and self made entrepreneur so I look up to him, his success, and I talk to him everyday on how I can better myself and my business. My favorite book that is Greenlights by Matthew Mcconaughey, and I have spent a lot of time listening to this book several times over. There are life lessons to be taken away from this book about love, forgiveness, but most importantly self love, and self worth and learning how to stand firm in your truth.

Website: https://thepremierathletept.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanmotlong3/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-motlong-a14a47216/