April 30, 2025
From a football player without a clear path to a successful business owner with three physical therapy clinics, Adam Robin’s journey is a testament to perseverance, second chances, and the transformative power of education at Pearl River Community College.
Originally from New Orleans, Robin’s family relocated to Carriere in 2000, a move that resulted in culture shock, transitioning from a vibrant city to the quiet countryside of Pearl River County. However, he is now grateful his parents made the move.
He first attended PRCC from 2006 to 2007 on scholarship as a football player. As part of the team led by Coach Tim Hatten, he had a rigid schedule that included early morning workouts. He considers himself fortunate to have played for the national title at the 2006 Pilgrim’s Pride Bowl in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, where the Wildcats were defeated by Blinn (Texas) 19-6.
“I connected to the community aspect of the college, going to the gym often and attending baseball and basketball games,” said Robin. “Traveling with the football team for the championship game was awesome, but I lacked focus in my studies.”
Robin left PRCC in 2007 without a degree. Instead, he worked for his father at Anywhere Plumbing Repair out of Gretna, LA and had a side job of personal training while he figured out what to do with his life. By 2012, he was ready to complete his degree, taking a mix of nighttime, online, and summer classes.
“I was more focused and clear on what I wanted to do,” said Robin. “That’s when things started moving forward for me.”
Robin’s return to PRCC in 2012 marked a turning point. With his family’s support, he balanced classes, part-time jobs, and personal training to raise his GPA to a 3.6, paving the way for a career in physical therapy.
“This time is when I learned to be a student and make As,” said Robin. “It was less about building relationships and more about making the grades. It was a huge challenge, but I did it.”
After earning a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology at the University of Southern Mississippi, Robin explored several future career paths, including medical school and chiropractic care. Ultimately, he discovered his passion for physical therapy, leading him to earn a PhD in the field from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2017.
A JOURNEY TO CLINIC OWNER
After graduation, Robin spent a few years working as a contractor for various home health agencies in the county. His patients would ask where his regular clinic was.
“I worked very, very hard and probably will not work that hard again as it was an unhealthy amount of work,” said Robin. “I was treating a lot of patients, traveling around the county. As I was discharging patients and giving them a plan of care, I got comments asking where my clinic was and how they could come see me. That got me thinking about what it would look like if I had my own clinic.”
Fueled by a relentless passion for helping others, Robin opened Southern Physical Therapy Clinic in March 2019. With a focus on personalized treatment plans, the clinic quickly established itself as a trusted space for healing, injury prevention, and pain relief. Today, Southern Physical Therapy spans three locations, offering compassionate care and empowering patients to reclaim their quality of life.
When he isn’t at work, Robin’s focus is his family and finding avenues for personal and professional growth.
“Where I spend most of my energy now is my children and my family,” said Robin. “We help my parents often with tasks as they age. I ask myself how do I be a better person for my family and my team? How do I be more like Dr. Breerwood.?”
ADVICE FOR OTHERS SEEKING A TRANSFORMATION
Robin credits several individuals he encountered at The River as helping him find the path to a career he loves. He is an advocate for starting your journey at PRCC, whether you are coming straight from high school or returning for a career change.
“You need an institution you can trust that will deliver, hold you accountable, but also give you second chances,” said Robin. “PRCC is that. They won’t do it for you, but they’ll be there when you are ready to do it for yourself.
“Even if you don’t know what you want to do, PRCC is a great place to help you find out.”
Robin’s journey from uncertainty to business success is a powerful reminder of the life-changing impact of perseverance and community support. From PRCC to owning three thriving clinics, his story inspires others to embrace second chances and never give up on their dreams.
