Hi! My name is Rachel Nally, I am a graduating senior from Wilmington High School in Wilmington MA. Next year I will be continuing my studies at Bryant University in Smithfield, RI to earn a degree in public relations and event planning. I’ve been going to Fitzgerald PT for over a year now, to help keep my body feeling better as I recover from cheering injuries.
Q: What do you love about cheering so much? What/who inspires you?
A: I have been cheering for 5 years and absolutely love it. I have been a varsity cheerleader all 4 years of high school, 2 season captain and been named a league all star. I find cheerleading to be so exhilarating and fulfilling. I have grown up doing gymnastics which is mostly an individual sport but cheerleading is the opposite and i loved that. When you are on the mat you are your best for the 20 girls standing next to you, not only yourself. I think my team and coaches to be my biggest inspirations and what drives me to stay at my full potential. I never want to let them done and be the reason why we may have had a bad day. Your teammates and coaches constantly want the best for you. My coaches through the years have been anything but ordinary. They put so much heart and time into us and I never want to let them down. Deb Smith has been my biggest inspiration in cheerleading. She has helped me push through the injuries, be the best that I can be, and has shaped me into the cheerleader and person I am today. Nothing in cheerleading is about yourself. Both my coaches and teammates have help me hold my head high and realize my strength and potential.
Q: We heard you are going to cheer in college – congrats! What was that journey like?
A: The journey to cheer in college has been amazing. I have been cheering with the same girls and coaches my entire career so I am very excited and nervous to experience a new team. College cheer is very different from high school. There is a LOT of high level stunting that I am excited to learn and participate in. I have been a base and a tumbler all through high school, but will be learning how to fly come college. The coaches and girls at Bryant have been great, they have brought me into practices, stunting clinics and have been more than happy to answer every question I have . I am more than excited to experience this new journey!
Q: How many injuries have you had over the years?
A: Over the years I have had my fair share of injuries. I have came back from 2 fractures in my back, high ankle sprain, broken wrist, torn hip, and countless aches and pains. Currently, I am in PT for a partially torn labrum.
Q: How long have you been going to PT and how has it helped?
A: Physical Therapy has helped me come back from every injury I have encountered. I have been in and out of PT for about 5 years. Fitzgerald PT has put me back on my game for over a year now. They have helped greatly with my sprained ankle and torn hip.
Q: Who is your PT and how long have you been working with them?
A: Last year I sprained my ankle around Thanksgiving time. I started seeing Alicia who helped tremendously. Not only did she do physical therapy exercises to help and strengthen my ankle she also did dry needling to help the tightness and muscles heal faster. She helped me heal and had my back cheering and performing as soon as possible.
When I hurt my hip during cheer season I started to see Sarah and Nick for my PT. I have been working with them for about 2 months now, a few times a week. Both have been nothing less than great. They have helped with the sourness, strengthening, pain management, and alignment on my hip. Both therapists have different exercises that they have me doing that in combination have worked very well. They share treatment plans and exercises with each other – which makes switching between the two therapists a walk in the park.
Q: What would your advice be to other aspiring athletes?
A: My advice to aspiring athletes would be to always believe in yourself and know how good you are. When you believe in yourself and perform like you are the best athlete ever, it will show and others will believe it too. I would also tell them to work through the obstacles when times get hard. No sport will be easy at all times, and the hard work and perseverance will make you a better person. I know it’s hard but the outcome will be worth it. Always remember that everyone gets injured and taking care of your body to be able to train is important for you and your team. Another piece of advice that I would like young athletes to know is not to wait to get PT until you are injured. If you feel the injury, go to physical therapy!
Q: What do you like the most about PT?
A: What I like most about physical therapy is the family dynamic. The therapists truly care about me and want to see me back on that mat doing what I love most. You feel cared for when you’re in the office. They know about what is going on in my life outside from the injuries, listen to my stories and chat with me while they help me get back to my sport. Oh, and my mother works at the front desk at the Fitz PT clinic in Melrose!
Congrats to Rachel and all the 2022 student athlete graduates!!!
