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DREAM BIG!



I was 12 yrs old. My favorite pitcher, Orel Hershiser, just returned to playing after shoulder surgery. No one knew if he’d be able to pitch again. But there he was, on the mound again! He spoke of his journey & gave raving credit to his team physical therapists. I looked at my parents & said, “That’s it! That is what I want to do! I want to be a PT for the Dodgers.” I remember the look on their faces. A little shocked, but wide-eyed in revelation. “You really would be good at that!"

I never looked back. The dream was planted. The steps I took to get there weren’t always as I envisioned, but they led me to an invitation to the annual Pro Baseball Athletic Trainers Society conference…in LA!! Orel was going to be there!

I remember sitting on the couch trying to convince my husband it was worth the cost…worth the time away…worth getting out of my comfort zone. I reminded him of the little 12 yr old girl & her dream. I said, “nothing may come out of this if I go, but it’s a sure thing nothing will if I stay here on the couch!” I wanted my boys to see that reaching your dreams IS possible. We did whatever it took to get me there.
I knew no one. I was far from home. It was a LONG flight. I'm no extrovert nor a celebrity seeker, but I told my story to everyone I met. I promised my family if they got me out there, I was going to tell Orel my story. When I did get the chance, I called out “Bulldog!”

“No one’s called me that in years!” I had my own moment with him. I told him how God planted a seed in me so long ago & “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.” We snapped a photo. My parents were in tears. “We've never heard of anyone having a dream at such a young age actually make it happen."

That was my motivation. The dream-seekers. The little girls with big visions. No, I'm not the team PT, but I realize that wasn’t the plan for me. I HAVE worked with many pro athletes, MLB included. And I DID experience being an insider in the sport & stadium I love. Dream Come True.

Dream Big, my Friends!

💓, Kristen

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