Austin Lear’s journey into physical therapy began with a lifelong passion for movement, performance, and wellness. Born and raised in Frederick County, Maryland, he graduated from Middletown High School in 2015 and first discovered his love for health and exercise science while attending Hagerstown Community College. That interest deepened at Shepherd University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and began to see how strength, conditioning, and proper movement could be powerful tools for both performance and recovery.
Before pursuing a career in physical therapy, Austin became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and worked as a personal trainer. His hands-on experience with clients ranging from general fitness enthusiasts to competitive bodybuilders and powerlifters gave him a strong foundation in individualized programming and movement assessment. This work not only shaped his understanding of human performance, but also highlighted the profound emotional and mental impact of physical wellness.
Austin went on to earn his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Slippery Rock University, where his knowledge expanded across orthopedic, neurological, and post-operative rehabilitation. His clinical rotations included outpatient sports and orthopedic settings, where he worked directly with athletes of all ages and abilities. These experiences helped solidify his skillset in bridging the gap between rehabilitation and performance.
Today, Austin specializes in working with overhead athletes, powerlifters, and bodybuilders. He has a particular focus on optimizing shoulder mechanics, joint loading, and movement quality to support long-term resilience and performance. His approach integrates evidence-based physical therapy with strength and conditioning principles to ensure that every treatment plan is tailored to the individual’s sport, goals, and lifestyle.
Austin Lear is passionate about guiding active individuals through recovery and beyond—helping them return stronger, more efficient, and better prepared for the demands of their training and competition.
