From Athlete to Director: The Journey of Rachel Jakubowski and SPECTRUM’s Physical Therapy Department
At SPECTRUM, we believe in relationships that stand the test of time—and no story captures that better than the journey of our Director of Physical Therapy, Dr. Rachel Jakubowski.
Rachel’s connection to SPECTRUM began long before she held the title of Doctor of Physical Therapy. She first walked through our doors as a high school athlete, training to push her game to the next level. Her talent and drive led her to commit to play college soccer at the University of South Florida. After her freshman year, fate reunited us when she transferred to Rollins College—where SPECTRUM was the official performance provider.
It was at Rollins where Rachel’s work ethic shined, earning recognition at the conference, regional, and national level as a Division II All-American. After college, she took her career abroad, competing professionally in Germany, before returning home to prepare for her next challenge. Once again, SPECTRUM was by her side, this time preparing her for a professional playing career.
When Rachel eventually retired from soccer, her passion for human performance didn’t fade—it deepened. She pursued her Doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of Central Florida, and even during graduate school, SPECTRUM remained a constant. She enrolled in our Performance Internship Program, gaining valuable applied experience that helped shape her career.
Following graduation, Rachel completed a prestigious sports residency program through ProRehab and the University of Evansville, where she received advanced training in Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), and was exposed to some of the highest levels of sport. During her residency, she performed movement screenings for the Milwaukee Brewers, Western Kentucky University, and University of Evansville athletes. She even worked with the NFL Players Association, providing rehab for retired NFL athletes.
Her expertise grew quickly, and Rachel earned the distinguished title of Board Certified Sports Specialist (SCS). Over the years, she has treated athletes from the NFL, MLB, NBA, European soccer leagues, track and field, and beyond, while also serving recreational and amateur athletes of all backgrounds. Her extensive certifications include Active Release Techniques (ART), SFMA, FMS, Y Balance, On Base U Hitting and Pitching, and RockTape Performance.
In 2015, the story came full circle yet again when Rachel returned to SPECTRUM—this time not as an athlete or intern, but as the founder of our Physical Therapy Department. What began as a new venture has since grown into a thriving cash-based physical therapy service, built on Rachel’s leadership, expertise, and unwavering commitment to athlete care. Today, nearly a decade later, the department has expanded to include three DPTs.
Rachel’s journey is more than just a résumé of achievements. It’s a testament to resilience, passion, and the power of long-term relationships. From high school athlete, to All-American, to professional player, to Doctor of Physical Therapy, and now to Director of Physical Therapy at SPECTRUM—Rachel embodies the very mission of our organization: helping athletes and individuals unlock their potential, at every stage of their journey.
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