Lead + Follow: Alika M. Antone
This monthʼs edition of Lead + Follow — a Q&A section in the South Sound Business Magazine dedicated to further understanding the personal and professional mindsets of area business leaders — features Alika M. Antone, owner and lead therapist at A2 Physical Therapy in Tacoma.
Antone received his doctorate in physical therapy at University of Puget Sound and is a sports lover through and through. The former UPS baseball player still coaches the sport and helps train young athletes in other endeavors, too. He also has written a childrenʼs book, Quiet Mind for Kids, to help give kids tips for success.
Twenty years ago, I never knew
running a small business would be so hard.
What was your favorite TV show as a kid?
Saved by the Bell
If you could stick to one age, what would it be, and why?
Age 12 — absolutely no responsibilities and we had the best summer with the kids in the neighborhood.
What was your last Netflix or Prime binge?
My wife made me watch Bridgerton.
Whatʼs your favorite vacation spot?
Kauai or The Post Hotel in Leavenworth
If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would it be?
Greece
What is your email etiquette?
Short, not fuzzy
What car are you most attached to?
My Chevy Avalanche
Whatʼs worth paying for?
Free time, baseball games
Whatʼs your favorite neighborhood?
Browns Point
Whatʼs your most treasured possession?
Michael Jordan second-year card and my Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck card
What are you afraid of?
Politicians
What causes are important to you?
Our environment and kids
Music of choice?
Country
What excites you most about our future?
Children
What is your mantra?
Be happy.
What is your leadership style?
Servant leadership
What, apart from time, would make the biggest difference to your life?
Having a professional cook and a meal planner
What apps do you use the most?
Google Business, Instagram, and Pokémon Go
What is the first thing you do in the morning?
Coffee, CrossFit, and look at chart notes
What in your wardrobe do you wear the most?
Nike running pants
What do you crave at the end of your day?
Sleep
What song is currently in your head?
“Dynamite” by Taio Cruz
What do you collect?
Sports memorabilia
What does success look like?
An abundance of health and positive relationships, free time, and continuing education
If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?
Construction
Where do you get your inspiration?
My family
What advice would you give your younger self?
Put more work into sports and school. Put all your money into Amazon.
I am energized by
music and coffee.
In 10 years, I hope to
travel with my wife, Jen.
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Written by Josh Dunn, South Sound Business Magazine March 2023
Click on a photo to enlarge.
"A2 Physical Therapy has been an amazing place to be at for the past 3 years training with Kristi Cruz. I have had knee and shoulder issues and Alika has been great getting me back to doing the things I love. The staff here is always so loving and kind. I know when I come here I am always excited to be here. I love getting the warm smiles from everyone!"
− Haeli
"Last Sunday I played full court basketball for the first time in 15 years. I will qualify the contest by saying it happened on a court just out of the back door of an elder care center. The teams consisted of a 7 year old, an d8 year old, a young woman in flip-flops (I played in sandals), a woman who proudly stated she was 55 years old (I retorted with my age of 65), and a couple of other young guys that really played well. I ran the court, I played defense, blocked shots, made shots (missed a lot), got lots of rebounds, and talked a lot of smack while playing with a group of people a lot younger than me. I even made a behind the back-twisting fall-away shot, then fell and tumbled on the court. I jumped up and continued to play, and we played for about 45 minutes.
I attribute my ability to play this game that I love so much again to the excellent training receive from Kristy who is a trainer at A2 Physical Therapy. I have worked out and trained since I was very young. I played high school basketball, baseball, and I ran track. I spent 20 years in the Army with all the training requirements associated with that occupation. I played on community and city leagues, and I have trained with weights for many years. The training program Kristy has devised for me at A2 is rigorous, thorough, diverse, fun, challenging, and focused. She prepares workout plans that are age and fitness level appropriate. My work out now is so much different then it was when I first started. She both trains me individually and as a couple. I run, jump, stretch, lift, balance, squat, push, pull, and every other movement you can imagine. I look forward to going to my workout every time. Kristy is completely in charge of every workout. I am retired, and my training at A2 allows me to fill the need to accomplish something positive every day I work out. I am doing physical activity with ease that I would not have thought I would be able be able to accomplish at the age of 65 such as hiking on Mt Rainer and running 4 days per week. Kristy and A2 have really changed my life…"
− William
"My name is Irvin Markham. I am a member of A2 Physical Therapy and Fitness. I have been a member of several gyms but never had a personal trainer. With no schedule or workout plan, I would always eventually quit. My wife suggested to go see her personal trainer Kristi Cruz. What a difference the experience has made in helping me get the most out of my workouts. Kristi has not only helped me get 71 year old body back in shape physically, but mentally as well. She has put me on a set schedule and encourages me to do all the things I need to do to stay healthy. I cannot thank Kristi and the entire staff at A2 for all of the support they have shown me."
− Irvin