Meet Sofia Arteaga

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sofia Arteaga and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sofia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was blessed to be hired by an amazing private practice even before graduating from physical therapy school. But deep down, I always knew I wanted to build my own business. The biggest reason I wanted to start my own practice was the restrictions I felt in traditional healthcare. I didn’t want to be limited to seeing patients for only 15–20 minutes at a time or have insurance companies decide when someone’s care should end. even if that patient still needed physical therapy to truly recover.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
In order to share where I am now, I first need to tell you where I once was.

In 2013, I suffered my third concussion in one year while playing collegiate water polo. Doctors at a Neurorehabilitation Facility told me I would never graduate from college, never be active again, and that I would live with symptoms for the rest of my life. For months, I struggled with slurred speech, difficulty finding words, dizziness with walking, light sensitivity, debilitating migraines, and severe depression.

The one healthcare professional who gave me hope was my physical therapist. She encouraged me to keep fighting and reminded me that there was still a chance at a normal life. Against medical advice, I left the rehabilitation facility, finished my Bachelor’s degree, ran half marathons, competed in fitness competitions, and eventually earned my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. I proved them wrong, but only because someone gave me hope when I had none.

That experience shaped my mission with Raw Performance Physical Therapy: to provide the same hope and quality care to others. For me, that means one-on-one, hour-long sessions, customized rehab programs, and being as present as possible in each patient’s journey.

I believe movement is medicine, and life is meant to be lived without limitations.

Was building this business easy? Not at all, and it probably never will be. But I didn’t choose this path because it was easy. I chose it because I know the road less traveled is often bumpier, but the ride is worth every moment.

Along the way, I’ve learned how to set boundaries so I can show up fully for my patients, how to adapt and recalibrate when things don’t go as planned, and how to accept constructive criticism and use it to grow.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I honestly LOVE my city—Glendora. I grew up in a Midwestern suburb, and Glendora is the closest I’ve felt to that same sense of home since moving to California.

If my best friend came to visit, I’d take them to all of my favorite spots:
– Breakfast at Kara’s Korner in Downtown Glendora
– Coffee at InHouse Coffee in San Dimas
– A drive down to Newport or Laguna Beach to walk along the water
– A sweet stop at The Donuttery in Huntington Beach on the way back
– A scenic drive up Glendora Mountain Road to watch the sunset over the valley

I love the simple things: supporting small businesses, being in the mountains, spending time by the ocean, and sharing all of it with the people I care about most.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without a few incredible people who believed in me even when I struggled to believe in myself:

To my mom—your prayers and encouragement carried me through the hardest moments of graduate school. I still call you almost every day on my way home from work, and I’m so grateful you’ve been with me through every high and low.

To my husband, Amador—thank you for carrying the load at home while I spent 10+ hours at school, for reminding me not to give up on my dreams, and for pushing me beyond my comfort zones. Without you, I would’ve probably quit a long time ago.

And to my mentor, Derrick Sueki—thank you for the opportunities to grow, for always listening, and for teaching me what it means to have hands that listen and eyes that never stop observing.

Website: https://rawperformance.org

Instagram: rp_physicaltherapy

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/raw-performance-physical-therapy-san-dimas

Image Credits
John McCary (took the first 2 photos)