Wesley Barger PT, DPT is a 2017 graduate of Grand Valley State University’s Doctorate in Physical Therapy program. Wes has worked with outpatient PT populations since graduation implementing an integrated, biopsychosocial approach to identify areas of improvement unique to each individual, improve performance in those areas, and finally reintegrate improved movement performance into functional, daily activity to maximize his patient’s quality of life and overall health.

Q: Where are you from and what experiences influenced your decision to become a PT?

“I was born and raised in St. Louis, MO but spent summers in Michigan (greater Detroit area) with my father starting at age 6. I can honestly say my time spent in Michigan growing up influenced my decision to become a PT as I hurt myself learning to waterski on Houghton lake during my 8th grade summer, and was unable to play soccer freshman year of high school without severe low back pain. Enter physical therapy and the rest is history. Learning to functionally incorporate my glutes (buttocks muscles) into sport and other daily activities has kept my back pain away, and I am still on the path of life-long learning attempting to share the knowledge and perspective that continues to help me with others.”

Q: Do you still get involved in any sports or recreation?

“I am more of a weekend warrior than an avid runner, but I like to think I’m semi-accomplished having run distance since my mid-twenties and still going strong. I have recently gotten into pickleball and enjoy competing in tournaments. I hope to continue playing pickup basketball until my girls get old enough that I can enjoy playing with them. Give me all the outdoor activities; hiking, backpacking, camping and skiing in the winter months. Ping pong nights, softball leagues and sand volleyball are also recreational activities I hope to continue participating in.”

Q: How long have you been a PT and what are some things that keep you motivated in your profession?

“I received my DPT in 2017 and have been lucky to receive some excellent mentorship along the way. Having highly skilled and passionate mentors who encouraged me to more deeply understand the reasons our treatments work has kept me motivated as a PT. Helping people in this capacity is one of the greatest jobs in the world, and I am lucky to have found employers and mentors who encouraged balance to avoid burnout. I’m also grateful to have friends and colleagues who continue to challenge my thought and reasoning – I’m most fulfilled when attempting to expand my understanding of the world around us. Nurturing the relationships which have encouraged my development have kept me motivated in both my profession and life.”

Q: Now that we know a little about Wes the PT, what can you share with us about your life outside of the clinic?

“I have two young girls; Ella (currently 4) and Edith (currently 3), whose incredible mother (Lauren) and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary last October. We enjoy spending time as a family, but also do well to make time for each other individually as well as ourselves (see recreation question above). That said we are attempting to enjoy every moment of our current, occasionally stressful, situation and appreciate the time we are able to spend together as a family. My wife and I enjoy board games, TV and reading in the same room. Our kids enjoy reading occasionally, games/puzzles, and playing any game that involves Dad or Mom chasing them through the house.”

5 RANDOM QUESTIONS:

Last books you read?
The Chris Farley Show (Tom Farley Jr., Tanner Colby), Three Body Problem (Liu Cixin), The Candy House (Jennifer Egan), The Hobbit (Tolkien) to my two young girls

Last TV show or movie you saw?
The White Lotus

Are you a morning person or night owl?
Was a night owl, before kids, now the morning is more productive

Something that you’ve done that you never thought would be possible?
Run faster (distance running) in my late 30s than I could in my late 20s

What are you a collector of?
Old comics and trading cards, good books, funny jokes, great experiences, and information that accurately describes our world