Marvin Chapman

Marvin Chapman was born in Warner Robins, Georgia. He moved around some, and spent most of his childhood in Macon, Georgia, graduating from Tattnall Square Academy high school. Marvin moved to Athens in 1997 to attend the University of Georgia where he got a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a master’s degree in Kinesiology. He is a massage therapist and movement specialist, and co-founder of Athens Movement Practice with his wife, Jessica. They live on the Eastside with their two children, Marvin and Emma and dog, Squash.

 

 

 

What inspired you or led to your current career?

 

I was an athlete– I played football and ran track– and I broke my arm. I had plates and screws put in and I spent a lot of time in the rehab room because there is a lot of healing that has to happen for that sort of injury. My physical therapist’s basic goal was to return me to sport performance level, not to just get me well. We did a lot of rehab, we did a lot of physical therapy. He was really hard on me, but I enjoyed that because I got to get back to somewhere where the surgeon had basically said I would likely never get back to again. So, I healed, I recovered and I played again. When I got to college, I was pre-med and I decided that the wellcare side or the sick care side of healthcare is not what I wanted to be. I wanted to be on the preventative medicine side. So, I switched from pre-med to exercise science so I could pursue preventative medicine rather than curative medicine.

 

What is your favorite restaurant in Athens, and what do you love there?

 

If we are going with restaurants, I am going to go with The Royal Peasant. If I had to pick one thing, I am going with fish and chips. But my favorite local establishment is Jittery Joes. I go there often and drink coffee and get work done.

 

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?

 

I think if I could go anywhere, I would like to go on a National Parks Tour of the United States. Exploring my own country, getting back in touch with nature and seeing what it has to offer, something different than my city life.

 

What is your favorite movie, or what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theatre?

 

Good Will Hunting is probably my favorite movie, and I identify with the character Will Hunting. He just speaks to me.

 

What advice would you give your younger self?

 

Follow your heart, follow your passion and don’t have any expectations of how it is going to turn out.

 

If you could have a billboard in town, what would it say?

 

I have two of them. One of them is “I move therefore I can,” it is kind of a flip on Descartes’
quote. The other one would be “I am because we are.”

 

What is your favorite thing to do in Athens?

 

Go to the Athens Farmer’s Market in the summertime, just hang out, listen to music, play with my kids and enjoy shopping at the market. Other than that, being parents, I like going to all the parks and enjoying all the outdoor activities we have.

 

If you could see any band or show, dead or alive, anywhere, who or what would it be and where?

 

I would love to see Bob Dylan or REM right here in Athens, GA.

 

What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?

 

Two things: I was a stay-at-home Dad for almost 3 years while Jessica was pursuing her PhD and entering into her professional career. The other thing, I attempt a standing backflip every year on my birthday, so far I’ve been successful…

 

What three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word “home”?

 

Unconditional Love, Nurture, Mi Casa es Su Casa (make yourself at home)

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