HI THERE!
I’m Rachel Tavel and I am a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and writer.
WELCOME TO MY WORLD
The path here has been anything but predictable.
I started my career as a travel writer in Central and South America. I spent those first years after college collecting stories and adventures -- many of which I have yet to share with the world.
During my travels, I discovered my passion for health & fitness. As so many of us do, I rerouted. I left my travel writer job and returned to NYC to earn my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from NYU.
I am passionate about all things health and wellness and am particularly interested in exploring new ways to improve health, fitness and wellbeing.
I enjoy working on projects that help people elevate their brand, product or vision while also using my expertise as a writer and fitness expert to help improve lives.
My journey here has been unconventional, but that is what’s paved the way for new possibilities.
WORK WITH ME
I am always open to new opportunities, collaborations and partnerships, but here are the most common ways to work with me:
Are you a physical therapist, health or wellness professional who needs help creating written content for your new website, brand or newsletter? I can help you bring your vision to life with words that capture the essence of you and your business, while also being versed in health and medical conditions and terms.
HEALTH & FITNESS WRITING CONSULTANT
My writing has been published in Forbes, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Runner’s World, SELF, Bicycling, Huffington Post (and more), and I’ve co-authored several books. As a freelance writer, I can provide expert-level written content that appeals to various audiences. I am available for commissioned pieces and projects of varying size – from article to book-length.
MAGAZINE & BOOK WRITING
As a frequently featured expert in health and fitness magazines, as well as on Sirius XM Radio’s “Doctor Radio,” I’m happy to discuss various topics in health, fitness, wellness, personal growth and motherhood. I am available as a guest speaker or panelist for podcasts and other platforms and speaking engagements.
PODCASTING / PUBLIC SPEAKING
I am always open to new opportunities, collaborations and partnerships that better the lives of others through health, fitness and wellness. In addition, I offer trusted, unbiased, expert product reviews and am happy to trial new fitness and wellness gear, accessories, products and technology.
COLLABORATIONS / PRODUCT REVIEWS
8 April 2018
Self
How Mourning Runs Have Helped Me Grieve My Dad’s Death
I loved my dad’s hands. They were soft and always warm, no matter how cold it was outside. As a kid, I would hold his hand every chance I got. On a sunny Tuesday just before Thanksgiving last year, surrounded by my mom, four siblings, and several lif...
13 January 2021
Personal
Stretch Yourself Healthy Guide: Easy Routines to Relieve Pain, Boost Energy, and Feel Refreshed: By Dr. Rachel Tavel, PT, DPT, CSCS and the Editors of Prevention
Aging and life can leave your body stiff, tired, and tense. This guide undoes it all. Inside, you’ll get:
- 50+ essential stretches, plus modifications.
- Step-by-step descriptions and photographs for getting each stretch just right.
- Compl...
8 December 2023
Forbes
How To Start Running: A Beginner's Guide
Running offers a wide array of health benefits for beginners and seasoned enthusiasts alike. Running elevates your heart rate, strengthens the heart and improves blood pressure, which can lead to a reduced risk of heart disease. In fact, according to...
FIND ME FEATURED IN
Rachel wrote for me when I was the fitness editor at SELF, and I always looked forward to editing her work. Her deep knowledge of physical therapy topics coupled with her writing skills and ability to take edits and turn around clear, helpful service content made my job so much easier—an editor’s dream. It’s been a few years since we worked together and I’ve assigned to many more writers since then, yet I still consider her one of the top contributors I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I always hope we’ll have a chance to collaborate again in the future!
- AMY MARTURANA WINDERL
Freelance journalist and former deputy editor at SELF
Working with Rachel has been an absolute pleasure. Her timeliness and organizational skills made meeting deadlines a seamless process. Rachel possesses a unique talent for articulating a practitioner's knowledge in a clear and concise manner, making it accessible to those encountering the information for the first time. Throughout our collaboration, I felt not only heard as a practitioner but also expertly represented in her work. Without a doubt, I would choose to work with her again, a hundred times over.
- DANI LUNA, DPT
Owner of Vida Physical Therapy
I’ve had the pleasure to work with Rachel over two decades with our relationships spanning from colleague to brand partner! She is one of the hardest working, talented and kindest people I’ve come across in the industry. Most recently we collaborated on a national multichannel brand partnership and Rachel went above and beyond. She brought an abundance of knowledge, enthusiasm and professionalism to the project. Our client couldn’t have been happier with her on camera performance, on point deliverables and dedication as a partner to go that extra mile.
- LINDSAY FERRARO BENNETT
PR Executive at Pace Public Relations
I'd been plagued with wrist pain for months, and though it had gotten slightly better, it had definitely plateaued. Because of Covid-19 restrictions, I was unable to begin seeing a physical therapist, as I had planned. Lucky for me, Rachel began offering virtual sessions! She walked me through some stretches and exercises that I can do every day to strengthen my wrist and help with mobility. After our session, she emailed a plan that included descriptions of all the exercises. A week later, I was able to do a full sun salutation pain-free for the first time since I'd injured my wrist. I'm so grateful for her kind attention and deep knowledge!
- EJ
Patient
