Name: Dr. Payal Patel
Where do you live? Montclair, NJ
When did you move there? I originally moved to Montclair in 2015.
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, which is an hour North of Philadelphia.
How do you make a living? OR What is your everyday passion?
I am the founder and owner of Adapt Physical Therapy, right here in Montclair. At Adapt, we help active adults naturally break free of lingering or complicated injuries so they can confidently live a purposeful and healthy life. Our clinic is a specialty clinic, in which our programs involve heavy customization and a level of detail that just doesn’t exist in most routine, run-of-the-mill, physical therapy centers. During the Pandemic, I wrote and published our Amazon bestselling book, Back Pain Breakthrough. It is currently available for free if you head over to our website.
Coffee, tea or … ? Coffee is a morning necessity for me! But herbal tea is favorite at night.
What’s your idea of a perfect weekend day?
My ideal day would be spent waking up to the sunny weather, with a fresh pot of coffee brewing. I’d love to get in a mid-morning hike with my fiancé, Cody, and dog, Parker, with a post-workout protein shake. After lunch, we’d head to the Farmer’s Market on Walnut St. to pick up some delicious, locally grown produce. I’d spend the rest of the day playing around with Parker, reading a book in the backyard and taking my time cooking the most delicious meal for dinner.
What’s your favorite local restaurant? Wow, tough question! I’m a HUGE foodie so this is painful for me to answer. If I had to pick just one I would say Faubourg.
What’s on your nightstand? I currently have two books, a relaxing lavender pillow spray, a tall glass of water, and lip balm.
What are you listening to? I don’t really discriminate when it comes to music…for the most part I love it all. But currently, it’s Khalid getting me in the summer mood.
What are your current indulgences? Yasso Frozen Yogurt Popsicles – the kind covered in a thick layer of chocolate!
What talent you would most like to have? Singing! Maybe then everyone would stop covering their ears when I sing along to music.
What’s the worst-kept (or best-kept!) secret about Montclair? Best kept secret is definitely the straight-from-Paris croissants at Le French Dad on Church Street. I’m drooling just thinking of them.
What do you hope they say about you at your funeral? Oh boy…not sure about what I’d hope for, but I bet I’d be known for selflessly putting others before me. It’s what I’ve spent my whole life doing.