Some athletes dream of winning the gold at the Olympics. Betsy Baker dreams of helping others get those medals.
An owner of Olympic Physical Therapy in Everett, Baker volunteers as a physical therapist with the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association and is looking ahead to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C.
“The cool part for me is that I know the sport so well it helps me in my work with the ski team,” Baker said. “To blend my athletic passion with my career passion is so great.”
Baker, 37, who also serves on the board of directors of the Everett Rotary Club, grew up in a family whose top priorities were community service and skiing.
The daughter of Marc and Nora Baker, Betsy was on skis as a preschooler and the family spent most winter weekends at Stevens Pass.
“The motor home would be packed and ready to go at 3:30 on Friday afternoons,” Baker said. “I grew up in the mountains.”
Today, she coaches racers at Stevens, has 20 years experience as a ski instructor, is a level-three experienced skier and serves as a division clinic leader for the Professional Ski Instructors of America.
In her duties as a physical therapist for the Ski and Snowboard Association, Baker plans to accompany the team in competition and training, but has also is available to treat skiers and snowboarders at her Everett clinic.
Over the years, Baker has had her share of ski injuries, too.
As teenagers, she and her older brother Garth Baker and a couple of their friends were known at the Stevens Pass ski area as the Fearless Foursome.
“We cruised all over the mountain, and after a dozen injuries I stopped counting the number of times I had a ride in the Ski Patrol toboggan,” Baker said. “I have empathy for my patients because I’ve had just about every injury that’s walked through the door of my clinic.”
Her training and own skiing experience allows her to advise the athletes on how to avoid injury by strengthening and preparing their bodies and in coaching proper technique.
“I would like to work with the association’s western regional development team and help kids develop safely and be better athletes as they push to the next level,” Baker said.
Helping others is just part of who she is, due in part to growing up in a family that owned Baker Ambulance service, she said.
After graduating from Everett High School in 1989, Baker toyed with the idea of attending medical school. Instead, she earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a master’s degree in physical therapy at the University of Puget Sound, and now has advanced certification in her profession.
“I thought about all those ski injuries and decided I wanted to take care of myself and others,” she said.
After six-month stint at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Baker returned to Everett and eventually bought into Olympic Physical Therapy.
“When I graduated from high school, I just wanted to get out of Dodge. But I am so grateful to be in Everett now and to live close to my family,” Baker said.
Her father, a past president of Everett Rotary, encouraged her participation in the service club.
“Everett has potential as a city and it’s great to be a part of that,” Baker said.
Fellow Rotarian Steve Miller also knows Baker because she was his daughters’ ski instructor at Stevens Pass.
“She’s a go-getter and a very skilled skier,” Miller said. “Her volunteer work with the ski team requires a high-level skier and an understanding of the mechanics of an injury. It’s a great match and a huge commitment.”
In fact, finding time to work for the U.S. Ski team can be a challenge for Baker.
Having recently battled cervical cancer, she also is busy with her business and tries to visit her fiance, Sean Bold, who works at the Crystal Mountain ski resort.
But working with the team is an honor, a dream and a priority, Baker said.
“It’s very big that the team has requested our help,” she said.
Baker has participated in training with the ski and snowboard teams in Colorado, where the Olympic sports organization is based. Plans call for her participation as a team physical therapist at numerous upcoming competitive events.
“My goal is to be involved with the team at the 2010 Olympics.” Baker said. “I feel so blessed to have skills that help people out.”
Reporter Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427 or gfiege@heraldnet.com.
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