Local Physical Therapist Needs Your Vote
Karen Johnson, a local physical therapist with over 35 years of experience, is on a mission to reduce fall risks among seniors. She has developed 3B-FIT, a lightweight, portable leg press machine designed to strengthen leg muscles and improve balance, helping prevent dangerous falls. Johnson is currently competing in the Entrepreneur of Impact competition, where the winner will receive $25,000, a feature in Forbes Magazine, and a mentorship with Shark Tank’s Daymond John. She is asking for the community’s support through daily votes to help her advance in the competition.
For more details and how to vote, read her full letter below
Hi!. I am Karen Johnson. I am a local physical therapist with over 35 years of experience. 24 of those years was spent as a home health therapist treating patients in their homes because they were homebound. A large percentage of my patients struggled to get off their chairs. They shuffled from room to room making them a high fall risk. Many slept in recliners because they could not lift their legs onto the bed.
There are 69.2 million Americans over the age of 65 and 30% will fall this year. In 2020 Medicare and Medicaid paid over 67 BILLION dollars in costs related to these falls.
Every 11 seconds an elderly person is seen in ER due to a fall and every 19 seconds an elderly person DIES from a fall. According to a Harvard professor, strong legs and core keep you upright.
I sat in my office and felt there had to be a better way to improve legs strength reducing the risk for falls. That”s why I invented 3B-FIT. It is a lightweight portable leg press machine that can be used sitting in a chair or lying in bed. It stands for Better Strength, Better Balance, Better Walk. It weighs 14.9 lbs and can press 20-100 lbs. Studies over the past 50 years show that strength training improves muscle mass, improves balance, increases circulation,, improves heart health, promotes flexibility, strengthens bones and improves mental health.
My target audience is hospitals, nursing homes, Assisted living facilities and home health agencies. I hope to have a home unit in the future.
Daymond John, one of the sharks on Shark Tank is partnering with Colossal which is a nationally registered fundraises that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need through online competition, this one being, Entrepreneur of Impact. I have entered this competition. Contestants win by having friends family and anyone vote daily. Votes are free, or you can pay for votes. The first week based on the number of votes, the groups chosen to stay were in the top 20, The next week the top 15 receiving the most votes stayed and the next week the top 10 were chosen to move on. I am currently #3 in my group vying for top 10 which ends Feb 20, 2025. On Feb 27 the top#1 in each group will then vie in quarterfinals and semifinals and finals, until Top winner is chosen. Top prize is $25,000, an advertorial in Forbes Magazine and a one on one with Daymond John. I need votes to win. To vote you have to go on facebook enter entrepreneurofimpact.org/2025/
The money raised will go to GENYOUth, a 501c3 national non profit dedicated to helping schoolchildren thrive by living a well nourished and physically active life, a catalyst for youth health and wellness. GENYOUth has supported over 77,000 schools to equip them with resources to ensure millions of children have equitable access to nutrition and physical activity
My business is Fresh Start Wellness Association, LLC, a health and wellness company It is a woman owned business. The prize money will go to fine tuning current prototype, pay for patent and pay for FDA registration and purchase Liability insurance.
I truly feel I can make an impact on reducing the risk for falls in elderly, stop the pain and suffering related to these falls, reduce copays for patients and reduce health cost to Medicare and Medicaid. Wish Me luck!
