Meet Mija Speakman! Our NewWellness Coordinator
As Kim Nartker mentioned in this month’s cover story, we’ve been on the lookout for a skilled wellness coach to add to the Stretch Physical Therapy team. It’s always been our vision to provide our patients not only with the best physical therapy in the area, but all the resources our patients need to thrive and live long, healthy, pain-free lives. And with Wellness Coordinator Mija Speakman joining the team this past June, we’ve found the perfect person to do just that. Mija is a certified Wellness Coach and yoga instructor, with an extensive background in health education and promotion. She’s been passionate about health and wellness since she was young, so when she packed up and shipped off to college, she decided it was the perfect opportunity to learn how to share the bounty of long-term health with others. Before joining us at Stretch, Mija worked for over four years in the wellness department of a hospital. She loved working with patients but struggled against the traditional medical paradigm. “It just didn’t feel like real wellness was valued there,” she says. “It’s hard to implement anything when you’re working with 5,000 people.”
Though she’s only in her second month here, she’s already had a tremendous impact on the well-being of the people she serves. “I really love seeing people’s ‘Aha!’ moments,” she says. “When a patient realizes they can confidently do something for their own health and sees the results they’ve been trying to achieve for a long time, then I know I’ve done my job — and that their healthy changes are going to stick.” Outside of the clinic, Mija loves to do yoga and spend as much time in the outdoors as possible. Recently, she’s gotten into rock climbing, and she’s steadily overcoming the steep learning curve of the sport.
If you’re looking to achieve holistic, long-term wellness — even if you’re not injured or struggling with pain — you couldn’t find a better guide than Mija Speakman. We’re so grateful to have her on the team and excited to watch as she guides hundreds of patients toward lasting health in the years to come!
Now, she uses her experience in yoga, stress management, supplements, nutrition, and exercise to transform patients’ lives at Stretch Physical Therapy.
HAVE A LAUGH
Grilled Leg of Lamb
This recipe is the perfect centerpiece for a late summer cookout or an easy family dinner.
Ingredients
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2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, minced
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1 4–5-pound boneless leg of lamb, not butterflied
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
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8 cloves garlic, smashed and coarsely chopped
Directions
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Heat grill to medium-high. Season lamb with salt and pepper and grill until lamb reaches an internal temperature of 130 F (medium rare). Cook time will vary depending on size of lamb pieces. Let lamb rest, covered with tin foil, for 15 minutes. Slice thinly and serve.
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On a large cutting board, cut between the muscles on the leg of lamb to divide into 4 pieces, pulling apart with your fingers if need be. In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, and rosemary. Add lamb and toss to coat. Marinate for 4 hours at room temperature.
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Inspired by Food & Wine magazine
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