A serious sports injury began a journey for this Waukesha woman that led her to open a PT practice

For Elizabeth Ngutse, physical therapy was never just a career choice—it was a turning point that reshaped her life.

As a young athlete deeply invested in gymnastics and volleyball, Elizabeth suffered a serious injury that threatened to end everything she loved about sport. The physical pain was only part of it. What lingered longer was the fear, the doubt, and the loss of identity that comes when an athlete can no longer trust their own body. During that dark stretch, it wasn’t just rehab that changed her trajectory—it was the care of a physical therapist who saw more than an injury. Someone who rebuilt her confidence, reminded her of her strength, and helped her reclaim her passion.

That experience planted a lifelong mission.

Photo byAres Physical Therapy

Elizabeth learned early that recovery isn’t just about restoring movement—it’s about restoring belief. Today, that philosophy lives at the heart of Ares Physical Therapy, a sports-performance-focused clinic serving athletes in and around Waukesha. Her approach is intentional, specialized, and deeply personal—designed for athletes who need more than a generic, one-size-fits-all plan.

Ares Physical Therapy focuses heavily on a population Elizabeth understands intimately: women and girls in gymnastics. These athletes require highly specific, sport-driven care, and Elizabeth has built her expertise around meeting those demands at the highest level. But while gymnastics is a cornerstone, the doors are open wide. Lifters, runners, weekend competitors, and athletes of all backgrounds receive the same individualized, high-performance care—tailored not just to their sport, but to their goals.

Starting a business at a young age is never simple. Starting one as a woman, in a competitive medical field, comes with additional layers of challenge. Elizabeth speaks openly about the mix of courage and stubborn belief it takes to open a sports-performance clinic early in her career. Funding hasn’t been easy, and there wasn’t much to leverage beyond her knowledge, work ethic, and vision. So she’s building Ares Physical Therapy step by step—proving its value through outcomes, trust, and consistency.

What makes it worth it are the moments that happen quietly, every day.

Photo byAres Physical Therapy

Elizabeth’s favorite part of running Ares is watching people rediscover what their bodies can do. A young athlete hitting a milestone they once feared was impossible. An older adult realizing they don’t have to give up the sport they love. The shift that happens when someone walks in full of doubt and walks out with possibility. Those moments fuel everything.

While patient stories must remain private, the impact is undeniable. Education, empowerment, and long-term confidence in movement are the pillars of her work. Elizabeth isn’t just helping people heal—she’s teaching them to trust themselves again.

Looking ahead, Ares Physical Therapy is currently operating out of a shared location, with plans to expand into the neighboring space by 2027. Growth is coming, but it’s being approached with care, intention, and the same athlete-first mindset that built the clinic from the ground up.

Beyond the clinic, Elizabeth carries a message she hopes reaches far beyond Waukesha: young women are powerful, capable, and fully able to move the world when they commit to their goals. Athletes like Simone Biles serve as constant reminders of what determination and courage can achieve—and Elizabeth is building a space where the next generation can discover that strength within themselves.

Ares Physical Therapy stands as more than a clinic. It’s a place where athletes are rebuilt—not just physically, but mentally—by someone who has walked that path herself and chose to turn adversity into purpose.

Photo byAres Physical Therapy

Ares Physical Therapy
📍 1930 W Bluemound Rd #130, Waukesha, WI 53186
👩‍⚕️ Founder: Elizabeth Ngutse
📆 Established: June 6, 2025
🏋️ Focus: Sports performance & specialized physical therapy
✨ Known For: One-on-one care for gymnasts and athletes seeking individualized recovery