Meet Our Team
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Emilie Schmidt, PT, DPT, ATC, CSCS
Owner / Performance Physical Therapist
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Heidi Horn, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN
Lead Performance Dietician
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Coach Charles "Chuck" Colborn
Director of Sports Performance
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Rita Chorba, PT, DPT, MAT, SCS, ATC, CSCS
Performance Consultant
Our Story
What does it mean to be Invictus?
People often ask why I chose the name Invictus for my private physical therapy clinic. “What does Invictus mean?” “What does Invictus have to do with therapy?” “What’s up with your logo?”
Throughout my career working primarily in sports and with the military, I have witnessed some of the most devastating injuries that many would think were unrecoverable. Multiple limb amputations, craniectomies, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and knee dislocations… to name just a few. In the rehabilitation of these patients, I learned early on that as long as there was a perceivable goal there was motivation.
Whether that goal was to return to their military unit, their friends, their peers, their sports team, or to return to the battlefield, personal motivation was the key to overcoming such extreme adversities that many people never thought possible. With their determination and grit, in addition to countless hours of rehabilitation, we were successful in helping these patients achieve their goals.
I was, and still am, in awe and inspired by the inner spirit and fortitude of these individuals. “Unconquered; Unconquerable, Invincible, Undefeated”: these are the traits I saw in those men and women determined to recover. These are the words that define the word Invictus.
Having observed the recovery of such devasting injuries, I truly believe every person has the ability to overcome whatever adversity stands between them and their goal. Every person has an unconquerable spirit, an invincible soul. Rehabilitation and performance training require motivation from deep within. That is the reason why I chose the name “Invictus”- it perfectly defines the ethos behind our approach.
How did Invictus PT & Sports Performance Come to Be?
Throughout the rehabilitation of wounded servicemembers during OIF/OEF, we learned that through the combination of multiple subspecialties (orthopedics, physical therapy, prosthetics, occupational therapy, speech therapy, nutrition, mental health therapy, spiritual therapy, athletic training, recreation therapy) we were better able to help these patients meet their goals. This cohesive approach was born out of the necessity of providing our care in one shared space.
We quickly learned that our colocation with one another was the key to success in rehab. Our team was there to get the patient back to their team. We were mimicking the traditional sports-medicine model in a subacute polytrauma rehab clinic. We had amazing success in returning amputees back to the battlefield, which had rarely ever been previously accomplished. We also succeeded in helping these patients regain their functional independence and resume the quality-of-life activities that they enjoyed before their injuries.
When my husband received military orders back to North Carolina, I was privileged to serve in the inaugural human performance program with the United States Marine Corps Special Operations Command (MARSOC). For the first time, an interdisciplinary holistic team approach was going to be implemented within active-duty USMC battalions. I was fortunate to be one of those plank-holders responsible for the contracted program design and methodology that would serve as the bedrock for future human performance programs across all military branches. We collocated ourselves with the Marines and sailors to be more accessible, and we addressed their needs as a sports-medicine team: rehab, performance training, nutrition, mental health, spiritual/chaplain services, and primary care.
It was there at MARSOC where I met amazingly talented strength coaches and dietitians who helped me open my aperture of rehab to embrace the multiple facets within the performance world. Together we developed programming to improve the overall resilience of the Operator. It was that team framework that led to the idea of reproducing our model for the general population.
*When you look at the Invictus logo you will notice stars offset around a compass. These stars represent the Southern Cross constellation and are an homage to our MARSOC roots. Without our time together at MARSOC, Invictus would not exist today. We are incredibly proud of the work we did there, and more importantly, we are humbled to have been trusted as part of the team of such great men and women.
What makes Invictus PT & Sports Performance different than other Physical Therapy clinics or Sports Trainers?
I do not believe that the current model of outpatient physical therapy goes far enough to help individuals reach their personal goals. Too often, patients are discharged from care just as they are returning to their fitness or performance activities. Traditionally, physical therapists only work with patients until they have “restored their baseline” (otherwise known as meeting preset standard range of motion or strength goals). Why is that? Because that’s what insurance pays for. Insurance companies do not consider fitness, athletic, sport, or wellness activity limitations a significant barrier to daily living; therefore, they do not consider rehabilitation that addresses those areas as a payable service.
Additionally, it is rare to find an outpatient physical therapy clinic that incorporates other disciplines such as nutrition and strength & conditioning into your rehabilitation plan. I believe everyone has the potential to perform at their highest capacity with the right training and motivation, and with the right team by their side. Experience has shown that key components to successful rehabilitation are the integration of nutrition, strength & conditioning, athletic training, and physical therapy. That is why I decided to include all of those tenants in the holistic approach we offer here at Invictus. We work together as a team to help you perform better, to feel better, and to achieve your health, wellness, and performance goals.
Patients deserve one-on-one attention from their provider. When you join our team, you will have direct access to us. Problem or question with your meal plan? Question about your PT home program? Are you in the middle of a workout and something feels off? We are only a phone call, email, or text away.
