GUEST BLOGGER - May Challenge: R is for Risk Taking: Risk vs. Reward

Meet Caroline Bergh!!!

You hear it all the time…life is full of opportunities—carpe diem—If you dream it you can achieve it—I don’t know about most people, but I do know myself, I am a very logical person who prefers to have a plan and taking a “RISK” makes me nervous and flustered. I am mostly fearful of the unknown, because of the potential to (ugh the dreaded four letter “F” word)…fail.

Yet, I have learned that a life without risk makes for a boring life. As I look back now, I thankful to see that at times when I am unable to plan every detail, in essence, forced to take a “risk”, that things really can turn out quite BEAU-tifully.

I first realized how taking a risk could turn into an amazing reward from my first real “adult” decision…where to go to college.  I use the term “adult” loosely because I was 17 when I graduated from high school and barely an adult when I was making such an important decision that would change the path of my life forever <3.

Due to my type A personality, I had researched many schools based on my interest to get involved in the field of healthcare and to play soccer. I had narrowed my search down to three schools, each in a different parts of the country, all offering me different things. I made my final decision after creating a long list of hand written pros and cons (see type A personality right here) detailing everything from my potential majors, cost, strength of soccer conference, housing, weather and proximity to the beach. I eventually went with selecting Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

I had visited the school on an official visit and gotten to meet my potential future teammates but prior to that two day stay, I did not know ANYONE who was going to school there and it was five+ hours away from home in a new state where I would in theory embark on “the best four years of my life.”  I was petrified that I would not be able to make friends or that people wouldn't like me or I would become homesick or that I would regret my decision to take a risk. I know that the thought of taking that risk at the time made me sick to my stomach and my head hurt from all the potential “what ifs” but as it turns out that risky decision led me to achieve my dream of playing soccer in college where I ended up meeting some of my best friends, while getting a solid education, oh and you know just falling in love with my husband-whom I am so thankful for each and every day and who I never would have met had I not taken a risk.

Another “risk” I took that changed my life forever was when I applied to physical therapy school…in yet another state, Florida. I felt the same fears as I did when I decided to go to ODU, but I reminded myself that sometimes you have to take a risk to achieve a great reward. Physical therapy school at the University of Florida was difficult to juggle with married life, working part-time, and being a puppy parent, but it was so worth it to share 8+ hours over three years with my incredible classmates. I am very grateful to have a top-notch education as the foundation for my new career.  Now looking back on my one year mark from graduation, I am so thankful to have taken that risk!

Risks aren’t just in education/careers, or in love, but I have also taken a risk by trying CrossFit! About 2 years ago my husband told me that I had to come try it with him because it would be something we could do together and it was competitive which is perfect for me because I am VERY competitive. I consider myself to be an athlete and because of my competitive nature I was so nervous to try my first workout because the entire time I kept thinking, "I hope this coach doesn’t think I am out of shape" or that I am weak! Two years later I am happy to say that love doing CrossFit! It has allowed me to connect with people in a “team” atmosphere and build some incredible friendships…and improve my overall fitness and health.

Even right now I am working on two current work related “risks”. I have recently started a new business through Rodan and Fields as an independent consultant for a skincare line and it has been another risk that I decided was worth a try. I am very excited about the process and it has been another great way for me to meet new people and continue to push myself to grow and develop as a person.

 As a full time physical therapist I have taken on yet another risk as a pelvic health physical therapist by attending some pelvic health workshops to expand my knowledge of the human body…this is one risk that I am hoping turns into an incredible reward because it will allow me to improve the lives of so many people who are living with pain and discomfort.

There are always risks that do not turn into rewards, but I have found that if I chose to think logically and optimistically that I can overcome a risk turned fail (I hate that word) and learn from the situation.

Even writing this blog post was a risk!!

I have realized that everyday we take have to take risks. The risk may be small like introducing yourself to someone in an elevator or in the hallway or something large like purchasing a house or leaving your current job to pursue a goal, but I think we all need to embrace risk taking because life is too short to simply sit around and talk about things…each day we need to go out and make today count because you will never get it back!

Thanks to Amanda for encouraging me to write..<3 love you!

GUEST BLOGGER - May Challenge: G is for Gator Graduates

I am honored to introduce you all to my best friend, Caroline Brown Bergh. Caroline has been my other half since forever, until forever. Meeting each other when we were 8 years old playing soccer, we have been inseparable since. We were a package deal growing up and I rightfully let her go when she married her best friend in December of 2009. I have never felt more honored to stand by my best friend's side and be her MOH on the happiest day of her life. Although we were like two peas in a pod growing up, Car and I are very different -- she was driven, intelligent and a brainiac (a quality I would say I don't shine in hahahah) When I heard she wanted to become a doctor after graduating from ODU, the idea of her not succeeding never crossed my mind as she is one of the most driven (if not THEE most) individuals I have ever met in my life. This living thousands miles away nonsense needs to come to an end soon though, I'm O V E R it!! Congrats Dr. Bergh on your newest accomplishment. I cant wait to see what your future holds (hopefully your own practice/business where I can be your social media and PR guru) xoxoxox 


It's great to be a Florida Gator, and it's nice to know that I am part of the ubiquitous Gator Nation. Go Gators!

Three years ago I began the journey to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy at the University of Florida with 55 other eager 22-29 year olds. It is hard to believe that one week ago I graduated (it still doesn't feel real yet) after countless late nights spent studying, 8+hour days of lecture/lab, and getting very up close and personal with my UF PT family with whom I spent more time with than my husband.

Graduation is something that we all go through in our education, whether it's from kindergarten to high school to college and even from physical therapy services. Graduation symbolizes a rite of passage, completing something to attain a degree, certification, skills, or knowledge.

 For me graduation has not only symbolized becoming more educated but it also means overcoming challenges, moving to new states (and packing, ugh), and meeting new people -- in essence starting a new part of  life. With each graduation in life I have had different feelings... high school graduation was exciting but scary at the same time.  It was just the beginning of higher education, but for me it meant moving to a new state at the age of 17, away from my parents and all of my friends. Yet, those four years at Old Dominion University were some of the best times of my life as I was able to play D1 women's soccer with some of my favorite teammates of my career, where I met the love of my life, and I even learned a few things. :)

After undergraduate graduation, there were three years of physical therapy school in again a new state where where I did not know a single person on my first day of class and yet I made made

life long friendships with my future fellow colleagues. It has been quite a ride and although looking back it seems daunting to move to new states where I did not know anyone, I wouldn't have changed anything.

Each graduation led me to a different part of the country...from Lansdale, PA to Norfolk, VA then to Gainesville, FL. I have met lifelong friends, fell in love, learned A LOT, and grew up immensely.

Although the graduation ride has been fun, I am happy to admit that life is just beginning. It is a joyous time filled with many emotions as one chapter of my life ends. However,  I am prepared to start my career in my dream profession where I will make a difference in improving the lives of my future patients everyday. And that is SO EXCITING!!

Just a few life lessons that I learned along the graduation journey:

1. Finding out who your true friends--it takes effort to stay in touch with people when you live far away and I am grateful to have learned this early on in my life.

2. Meeting new people is FUN! It can seem scary at first especially if you don't know anyone but if you stay true to who you are, the right people will want to be your friend, trust me.

3. Pursue something you are passionate about, life is way too short to not be doing something that you love. I thought 3 years of PT school was going to take forever but it flew by and I am so glad that I am about to be part of the PT profession.

4. Appreciate your family and show them how much you love them everyday. That goes for humans and animals because you never know what life will bring you and at the end of the day family is forever.

Congratulations to all the recent and future graduates out there...Go Gators!