Why Florida For Dr. Joe Martin?

I was born in 1971 at St. Lukes Hospital in New Hartford and I was born into 

a family stricken by poverty, alcoholism, negativity, infidelity. My mom was raped by her father and cheated on by my father.  I was severely abused at home beginning at the age of 3 and bullied in school and on the streets growing up.

I was hit by a truck and suffered a broken leg and skull at age 7 . I grew up on Main Street in Whitesboro and attended Main Street School, and Westmoreland Road Elementary until the first 10 years of my fear and hardship filled life finally caught up to me. My parents divorced and I began to “act out” and exhibited behavior that landed me in the House of Good Shepherd for 2 years at age 11 and 12. 

The pain, the insults, the abuse, and the rejection all came to a screeching halt and what seemed to be an abrupt exit from my home and my community turned out to be

one of the best things that ever happened to me. 

The House of Good Shepherd likely saved me from a life of drugs and imprisonment and quite possibly saved my life. 

I went on to become a good athlete, a somewhat popular guy who graduated Frankfort Schuyler high school and went on to become a Soldier in the United States Armed Forces. I excelled in the Army, was awarded several accolades, and served tours driving an M1A1 Tank in Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

I came back to Central New York where I was a high honor graduate at HCCC, Utica College, until finally earning my Doctorate Degree from Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. 

I went on to get married and have 3 beautiful kids and opened up  8 Physical Therapy practices throughout multiple communities in CNY. 

One day, not too long ago, I went back to and walked through my old house on Main Street in Whitesboro where I cut through a lot of painful memories, experienced a few hard swallows, and even had a little sickness in my belly.

That house has since been torn down in what feels like a symbolic destruction of my most trying times. 

I am grateful today as a grown man with an unbelievable amount of compassion in my heart for people who are suffering and in pain. I came back for them ! 

I came back for you! 

My next trip down memory lane came in 2022 when The House of Good Shepherd asked me to be one of their keynote speakers for their 150th Anniversary celebration at the Yahnundasis Golf Club in New Hartford. 

I did not prepare a speech; my childhood experience prepared it for me. I spoke effortlessly from my heart.

The back story of LiveBetterCNY.com is the culmination of my experience and my devotional commitment to make sure the people of Central New York 

suffer less pain, hardship , and anguish than I did growing up on Main Street.

I have prevailed, I crossed the finish line, I am back!

Little Joey Martin is now Dr. Joe Martin, PT, DPT, OCS

Place Your Health and Your Family’s Health in My Hands

I Won’t Let You Down.

Return To Home Page