Jared Bridges, CPT, CSMS - clinic director, srd program director, student athlete performance coach
Jared and Hannah celebrated Bridges Therapy Group's grand opening in January of 2019. Jared’s first career, though, was in ministry. After graduating from Central Baptist College in Conway, Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Leadership and Ministry, he joined the staff of a multi-site church where he had already been volunteering. During his years on staff with the church, he led a variety of ministry teams, over-seas mission efforts, and would travel on behalf of a church planting organization to help train and support church planters.“When church ministry was my full-time job, Hannah and I were always building and leading teams together. She’s always worked as a PT, but we would team up in ministry work whenever possible. I think we make a great team. After moving to Fayetteville in 2014, we spent nearly 4 years having entirely separate work lives. That was new to us. When we started dreaming about opening our own therapy clinic, I was excited at the thought of working together with her again. This time around, my work contributions help extend a platform for her gifts and abilities. She’s a talented therapist, I'm her biggest fan, and we both love kids. So, starting this clinic to serve the families of Northwest Arkansas has been a very fulfilling chapter in our story.”
Jared has always loved people and sports. Knowing there’s an ever-growing need for programs that assist student athletes, he and Hannah decided to develop Sport Recovery and Development Programs. Their SRD team includes physical therapists, an athletic trainer, and personal fitness trainers. They work collaboratively to develop individualized programs for each athlete, focusing on body mechanics and athletic performance.
About his role, Jared had this to say, “I enjoy creating processes that allow for efficent and organized operations. I love training student athletes. What's most fulfilling to me, though, is assembling a team of skilled, knowledgable people who are passionate about what they do while remaining others-focused. It creates a fun environment! And while our work feels like we’re living a dream, it also serves student athletes to help them with their dream of being the best, healthiest athletes they can be.”
Brooks White, PTA, CSMS - Physical Therapy Assistant, Student Athlete Performance Coach
Brooks grew up in Mississippi before moving to Van Buren, Arkansas during his high school years. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and Kinesiology from Southern Arkansas University in 2013, where he also played football for five seasons. After SAU, he completed the Physical Therapy Assistant Program at Arkansas Tech University in 2014.Since receiving his license, Brooks has provided therapy services to ortho patients, as well as training and coaching to young athletes across Northwest Arkansas. With a Sportsmetrics Certification, he has been able to implement an ACL Tear Prevention Program to reduce the risk of knee injuries in athletes in all sports and all ages. Brooks is an excellent coach and therapist and is passionate about each opportunity to better someone else’s life.
"I’m glad to help anyone, but kids are my favorite patients and student athletes are my favorite clients. These days, student athletes are specializing in sports at younger and younger ages and sport-specific injuries are happening more often. I love working with young athletes to correct problems with mechanics that research shows correlate to a greater likelihood of injury. My priority is to see a strong foundation established in an athlete that will make sports safer for them. Also, it’s really fun that as the athletes’ movements become more efficient and balanced, their performance —speed, agility, power, explosiveness— improves as well.”
"I love the journey you go through with each athlete. Sometimes, when I meet them for the first time, they’re insecure in their sport, hurting, and compensating for pain in ways that could create even more problems down the road. But we get to roll up our sleeves and help them with it. When they finish a program and they’re moving in healthier ways, and their confidence is up because their performance has improved, and they’re pain free… it feels amazing to have that kind of impact on someone's life.”
REBECCA ROCKENHAUS, BS, LAT, ATC, CSMS - ATHLETIC TRAINER, STUDENT ATHLETE PERFORMANCE COACH
Rebecca Rockenhaus graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in 2014 with a degree in Athletic Training. During her time at UCA, she worked with over 10 sports teams and accumulated over 1,000 clinical hours of experience in the two-year Athletic Training Education Program. Rebecca has always loved sports and attributes much of her work ethic and love of teamwork to her years of playing sports.“As an athlete, you learn so many life-long skills that continue to better you even after you hang up your cleats. There is no feeling like setting goals, working hard, achieving them, and celebrating with your team! And that translates into every aspect of life. Nothing can replace hard work and a great team—from the field to the office.”
Rebecca loves people and knows how important it is to be surrounded by those that believe in you.
“My job makes me excited because I love helping young athletes and families in Northwest Arkansas. I’m from a small town. Growing up, I learned the importance of relationships and everyone knew everyone else. I loved that. People believed in me and they let me know it! So, I’ve learned to be the same way. Today, every time I meet a new athlete and their family, I’m still that small-town kid that can’t wait to get to know them and cheer them on!”