Conversations with Lori Duncan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Duncan. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I never dreamed of owning my own business but it has been one of the best “pivots” in my career. In 2014 I had been working at clinic in Boulder for 4 years that decide to close its doors. The thought of applying for another job was not appealing. One of my colleagues decided to open her own clinic and asked if I would like to rent a room from her. A few months later, I had a healthy (and really fun) business. In June 2015, I took the risk to open Duncan Sports Therapy and Wellness in Lafayette, CO. 

From 2008-to 2021 I was a group fitness instructor at Life Time Fitness as a means to teach preventive movement education. 

In 2015, I designed a 6-hour continuing education course for other PTs and OTs and have thoroughly enjoyed traveling the country to teach and learn from other clinicians. 

In 2019, I started teaching Anatomy & Physiology at FRCC to those wanting to enter the medical field; it has been a wonderful new challenge. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Overall, the road to having my own business has been fairly smooth. However, hiccups and lessons are a part of any venture. After opening my own clinic, I was encouraged by others to “grow” my business. Initially, I hired a massage therapist and she was with me for almost 5 years. 

At the suggestion of patients and friends, I was further encouraged to hire another PT. I usually operate with at 4–6-week waitlist and they thought this would be a good next step. At the time it seemed like the next logical step. I hired a very intelligent and sweet PT to help in the clinic but realized I did not enjoy being a manager or boss. In 2020, I decided to downsize and move my clinic to a smaller space in Louisville, CO. Now, my clinic is just me and my clinic manager (who is AMAZING and a true friend) and I couldn’t be happier. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a sports and orthopedic physical therapist. I am known for my “detective skills” to figure out complex movement issues along with my sense of humor. I laugh A LOT in my clinic with my patients. Laughter really is the best medicine. I also specialize in Pilates and use it as a cornerstone to help my patients move and function to the best of their ability. 

I am proud that I attract amazing humans to my clinic and my business is completely word of mouth. Mostly, I am proud that I am teaching my 9-year-old son that you can work hard and be successful but still find time for play, relaxation, and fun. 

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
The definition of success continues to change for me. I have always held one constant: To be happy. (I even wrote it in my high school yearbook). I state that because I am not driven by money but rather by watching others’ success. Patients who run pain-free after months of back pain is such a joy for me. And I beam when one of my students at Front Range Community College aces a test. 

Success is infecting others with my movement knowledge and love for science so that they carry that information with them the rest of their life. 

Contact Info:

• Email: lori@duncansportspt.com
• Website: www.duncansportspt.com
• Instagram: duncansportspt
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DuncanSportsPT
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LoriDuncanPT

Image Credits
Matt Taylor
Nick Buckingham