Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Elise Waller, PT, DPT, CSCS.
Hi Dr. Elise, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Dallas, TX, and grew up constantly on the move – playing sports, hanging out in the gym, or running around outside. I was recruited to play soccer early in my collegiate career before transferring to Southern Methodist University, where I double-majored in Applied Physiology and Spanish.
Throughout my teenage and undergraduate years, you could always find me working in a gym or physical therapy clinic. Most of my friends remember me saying from a young age that I wanted to be a physical therapist – it’s always been how I felt I could best help people. After finishing at SMU, I continued my education at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where I earned my Doctorate of Physical Therapy. I’m also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), which allows me to integrate advanced exercise programming and performance training into every rehab plan I design.
After gaining experience under a trusted mentor as a PT, I decided to take a leap and start my own practice. The medical field is a challenging space right now, especially for physical therapists, as insurance companies often dictate our reimbursement rates and ultimately, our time with patients. I wanted to create something different—something that allowed me to serve my clients more intentionally while building a sustainable career for myself.
In September 2022, I opened Waller Performance Rehab, a performance-based physical therapy practice serving the Park Cities area of Dallas. I work with all ages and demographics, but my passion lies in youth, adolescent, and collegiate rehabilitation and performance—especially with female athletes.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Looking back on where I started and where I am now, I have a deep appreciation for all the challenges I faced along the way. People don’t always tell you that your twenties can be hard—and they definitely don’t tell you how exhausting it can be to move straight from undergrad into graduate school and then into a high-volume clinic. Burnout became a very real part of my life and career.
There were moments when I questioned if I could last in this field, and that ultimately pushed me to create my own path – to build a business that allowed me to treat clients the way I knew they deserved while also taking care of myself. My CSCS and sports training background within the PT field gave me the confidence to design and implement individualized, progressive training programs that help people feel strong and capable throughout the rehab process – not just once their pain is gone.
Starting my practice at 26 came with its own unique set of challenges, including imposter syndrome and building a professional network entirely from scratch. Entrepreneurship can be a lonely and difficult road. Unless someone has done it themselves, it’s hard for them to fully understand the ups and downs. I’ve learned to trust my gut and lean on my inner circle more than ever. When you are your brand and your business, personal growth becomes just as important as professional growth. Some of my biggest lessons have come from doing the inner work – recognizing my patterns, reshaping my mindset, and learning to show up as the best version of myself for both me and my clients.
As you know, we’re big fans of Waller Performance Rehab. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I own Waller Performance Rehab, a sports and performance physical therapy practice dedicated to helping people who actively prioritize their health and wellness for the long term.
At Waller Performance Rehab, we believe there’s an athlete and performer in everyone. Performance rehabilitation is a specialized approach that blends injury recovery with performance enhancement – not only to restore function, but to optimize strength, movement, and power beyond pre-injury levels.
I use a combination of advanced movement assessments, targeted manual therapy, and load management and exercise programming to help clients reach their goals – whether that’s returning to sport, picking up their child pain-free, or simply moving through life with more confidence and purpose.
What truly sets my practice apart is the integration of performance training into rehabilitation. As both a Doctor of Physical Therapy and CSCS, I not only guide clients through recovery but often take over their gym programming to help them train safely through injury rather than stopping altogether. For clients who may not yet feel comfortable in a gym, I love helping them build confidence with lifting and movement – because maintaining muscle mass is one of the strongest predictors of long-term health and independence.
My approach is holistic and education-driven. I look beyond the injury itself and consider the whole person – their lifestyle, stress, sleep, nutrition, and daily routines.
At its core, Waller Performance Rehab exists to help people reclaim autonomy over their bodies, rediscover confidence in movement, and thrive – transforming their journey out of pain into power, both in sport and in life.
What makes you happy?
Within my business, what makes me happiest is seeing clients leave my office feeling like the strongest, most powerful version of themselves. There’s nothing better than watching someone realize what their body is capable of.
Outside of work, I find happiness in the small things—an iced coffee with whipped cream, walking my German Shepherd (Bluebell) when it’s 60 degrees out, taking a spontaneous road trip to Colorado, or watching sports with my closest friends. In a world that likes to focus on everything that is going wrong, I aim to try to find little things each day that are going right.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://drelisewaller.com
- Instagram: drelisewaller
Image Credits
Kathy Tran Photography
