Dr. Blake Banner

Dr. Blake Banner - My journey began as a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy that realized the best path to complete healing is through integrative therapies. I have a passion for educating clients about their bodies and the power of the healing properties they hold within. As a Physical Therapist, Reiki Practitioner and Life Coach I enjoy being able to bridge the gap between Western and Eastern medicine. My ultimate goal is to dismantle preconceived notions surrounding energy work and the limitless power of the mind. My educational background includes a B.S. in Exercise Science, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Reiki Level II (Okuden) Certification, and Strategic Life Coach Certification. I am an active member of the American Physical Therapy Association as well as the International Reiki Organization.  (SISS) Hi Dr. B, where are you from and where are you currently spending your time?  (Dr. B) I’m originally from the small (but beautiful) town of Beaufort, South Carolina. I’m currently spending most of my time in the Washington, DC area working as a travel physical therapist and Reiki practitioner.  (SISS) What was one of the hardest things that you had to go through? What advice would you give someone going through the same struggle?  (Dr. B) One of the hardest things that I had to go through was shedding my old beliefs tied to identity and who I thought I was so that I could step into the person who I was becoming and growing to be. Sometimes we set ourselves up

for failure by doing what we have always done or surrounding ourselves with the same circle that we probably have already outgrown, it’s important to be okay with leaving that in the past so you can progress in your personal journey. The advice I would give someone going through that same struggle would be “flow don’t force” meaning move freely through all situations you encounter and don’t try to force something to be what you’re used to for the sake of being comfortable. (SISS) Doctor of Physical Therapy | Reiki Practitioner | The Healer Dealer @thehealerdealershop | Co-Author of Absolute Affirmations | www.drblakebanner.com #SISS Tell us more… who is @drblakebanner and what are you most proud of?  (Dr. B) So, Dr. Blake Banner is a travel physical therapist and Reiki Practitioner (energy work) that values self discovery and mental, physical, emotional and spiritual empowerment. I’m most proud of the work that I’m doing to educate and encourage individuals to find and utilize whatever tools and techniques they resonate with to assist them in their healing and personal development journey. I’ve been able to co-create a positive affirmations deck (Absolute Affirmations: 44 Positive Affirmation Cards) to allow people to keep their vibrations high and manifest the life of their dreams through the power of positivity and that was such a huge project for me that I’m also very proud of. (SISS) Finish this sentence, I have a dream… ?  (Dr. B) That one day people will be comfortable with exploring complementary and alternative therapies in their daily lives to have a more fulfilling and holistic experience.  (SISS) What makes you the happiest? What is fun for you?  (Dr. B) I like to think of myself as a student of life, I love learning, reading and researching things that are interesting to me that I can apply to my daily life. That usually means diving into physical therapy articles and holistic health books which makes me happy! I do enjoy being outdoors and doing activities in nature like kayaking, hiking and going for nature walks.  (SISS) How do you deal with disappointment? How do you Keep Going?  (Dr. B) I deal with disappointment by reminding myself of all of my accomplishments and what I’ve been able to overcome in the past. This always motivates me to continue pressing forward and keep going no

matter what obstacles I encounter.  (SISS) What is your superpower? (Dr. B) My superpower is my intuition, it’s definitely something everyone has but not everyone utilizes it. I make it a priority to follow my gut instincts on everything I do and let my intuition guide me which always places me exactly where I need to be in life.  (SISS) Finish the sentence, my life has gotten so much better since… ?  (Dr. B) My life has gotten so much better since I started listening to my own advice! When you practice what you preach the proof is in all of the positive changes you start noticing.  (SISS) Can you tell us four things people might not know about you?  (Dr. B) Four things people might not know about me are (1) I received a collegiate volleyball scholarship (2) I have a dream of giving a TED Talk on mindfulness (3) I prefer working out to slow jams over upbeat music and (4) I’m learning all that I can about farming so I can grow my own food one day  (SISS) Can you tell us where else can our readers follow your daily inspiration?  (Dr. B) Outside of my instagram (@drblakebanner), my website (www.drblakebanner.com) is the home base for my wellness blog focusing on complementary and alternative therapies, information on mindfulness techniques and how to lead a healthy life through holistic strategies.  (SISS) What’s your favorite quote?  (Dr. B) My favorite quote is “do everything with intention” and that’s by me. I feel like you can cultivate a more meaningful life experience when you have purpose behind everything you do no matter how small. Being intentional forces you to remain in the present moment and appreciate things as you’re experiencing them.  (SISS) At Smart is so Sexy we love to see women who are thriving in their career or business.  What are you most passionate about?  (Dr. B) I’m most passionate about bridging the gap between Western and Eastern medicine. I aim to dismantle preconceived notions surrounding energy work and the limitless power of the mind. Educating others about their body and the power of the healing properties they hold within is one of the most important things to me. This was the foundation of my blog that I started in 2018 which has since expanded to an online metaphysical shop, The Healer Dealer Shop (thehealerdealershop.bigcartel.com) in 2019.  (SISS)  Who was the most influential

person in your life and why?  (Dr. B) The most influential person in my life would have to be my wonderful mother. Even as a child she always motivated me to do what made me happy and inspired me to want more for myself. She’s an extremely hard worker and dedicated to helping others succeed in life and that’s just so admirable to me.  (SISS)  Where were you five years ago? What advice would you tell your five years younger self?  (Dr. B) Five years ago I was in the middle of my grad school program in Tallahassee, Florida still figuring out time management and at that time school-life balance. The advice I would tell my five years younger self would be, BREATHE - incorporate a self care ritual that makes you feel good and don’t allow yourself to get overwhelmed and take things one at a time.  (SISS) Can you take us through a typical day? From Waking up to going to bed, can you give us a play by play of a typical day for you?  (Dr. B) So a typical day for me includes waking up and working out, starting my day at whatever physical therapy setting I’m in which depends on the travel assignment that I’m on, coming home and working on my blog and online shop then winding down with a good book, some mindless social media scrolling and rest!  (SISS)  What is your favorite book and/or the latest one you’ve read?  (Dr. B) My favorite book is The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz - it’s something that I constantly refer back to and re-read just because there is so much practical and applicable information within those pages. It’s written in a way that makes you motivated to be your best self and live a life of authenticity.  (SISS)  What would be a good theme song for your life?  (Dr. B) A good theme song for my life would be Upgrade You by Beyonce simply because in everything that I do, with everything I put my hands on I want to leave it in a better state than when I found it. I like to think I’m embodying that “Upgrade You” energy in all aspects of my life.  (SISS) When do you feel the sexiest?  (Dr. B) I feel the sexiest when I’m actually in casual loungewear in the house, I feel free and comfortable which puts me in the best mood. To me being sexy is all about being comfortable as you are in the skin you’re in and for me that just happens to be when I’m super relaxed at home.  (SISS) Is there someone on social media that inspires you and is a great follow?  (Dr. B) My sister, Krystal (@krystal.banner). She left her corporate job to pursue her passion as a creator and artist and has since been able to flourish, increase black representation in stationary and inspire so many people with her story and journey! She’s definitely someone I look up to and love to see what she posts.  (SISS)  What does Smart is so Sexy mean to you?  (Dr. B) To me, Smart is so sexy means we’re looking beyond just the physical and seeing sexy as a state of mind and as a way you carry yourself and the actions you take daily. Smart can be and is very sexy, I feel like as you encounter people in life you see that it’s those types of characteristics that matter the most.  (SISS) Thank you so much Dr. B, you are awesome and inspirational. Keep Going #SISS

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🚨New Blog Post!🚨3-Minute Meditation? Yes! In the amount of time it takes to read/send a text message you can incorporate meditation in your daily routine. This week I covered meditation benefits and tips to make it as easy as possible! Don’t let Mercury Retrograde have you out here on struggle - it’s time for a mental reset and change in our mindfulness habits! Link in bio for full post! #mindfulness #meditation #yoga #mercuryretrograde #spirituality #healing #health #medicine #crystalhealing #Reiki #energywork #energy #positivity #positiveaffirmations #peace #blogger #crystals

A post shared by Dr. B, PT, DPT (@drblakebanner) on Feb 19, 2020 at 2:56pm PST