After the Iowa Hawkeyes’ remarkable run to the NCAA finals with Caitlin Clark, Lisa Bluder’s retirement opened the door for Jan Jensen to take the reins as head coach. From her days at Drake to joining Bluder at Iowa, Jensen has steadily proven herself as the perfect successor. But behind her success, Jan shares her life with Julie Fitzpatrick, a dedicated physical therapist and mother of their two children in Iowa City.

A former athlete herself Julie’s story began in Davenport, Iowa, where she grew up in a large, bustling family. In an episode of the podcast 1 Year 1 Fear with Cara Flynn, Julie recalled her childhood as one filled with constant travel  “My entire childhood, I felt like my parents were either sitting me down to tell me we were moving or that my mother was pregnant. Not only were there six of us, but she had miscarriages in between. So, literally, that was happening.”

Despite the chaotic nature of being surrounded by a big family, Julie found comfort in her community. Attending Catholic school, she was never truly alone—many of her friends came from similarly large families, making her own experience feel a little less unusual.

While life at home was bustling with her siblings running around, Julie developed a love for sports early on. “I was an athlete and had some really great memories playing basketball and I was a high jumper and a tennis player and a golfer,” she reflects. In fact, it was this passion that eventually led her to secure a scholarship at Drake University, which helped her to become the first in her family to go to college. Drake, was also where she played basketball— met Jan and began a pivotal chapter in her life that helped shape her future.

But it wasn’t just athletics that defined Julie’s college years. The transition from a small town to university life was a challenging one. “I was a little intimidated by Drake,” she admits. “I knew it was a very strong academic school, and I didn’t have the confidence that I was going to come in and kick a-s.” Despite her initial insecurities, Julie thrived, even earning recognition as a leading scorer in her freshman year. However, her dreams were abruptly shattered during her sophomore season when she sustained a career-ending knee injury. And Julie even recalled the “heartbreaking” injury. “My identity was pretty wrapped up in being a star athlete. It was crushing,” she said. But, as she would come to realize, it was also a turning point in her life. “The best thing that ever happened to me,” she says now, “because it gave me perspective.”

A turning point came when Julie focused on her recovery, inspiring her to pursue a career in physical therapy. During this time, she also faced personal challenges as her parents divorced. Despite these setbacks, she persevered, driven by her growing professional ambitions.

Julie Fitzpatrick: From heartache to heart health

After graduating and earning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Des Moines University, Julie began her professional journey in physical therapy. After 25 years of experience, she continues to work at Progressive Rehabilitation Associates in Iowa City while owning Optimal Wellness.

In addition to her private practice, she has been a volunteer with the American Heart Association for over a decade, helping raise awareness about women’s heart health. A passion that began due to a personal incident during her pregnancy with her daughter, Janie.

It was during this time that the doctors diagnosed Janie with a transposition of the great arteries, which would require two open-heart surgeries in Janie’s first month of life. Reflecting on that time, Julie says, “It made me even more passionate about the American Heart Association and the research they help fund. Our daughter is living proof that the research helps save lives.” And today, Janie is a healthy 9-year-old who is active in gymnastics and volleyball, and her heart condition is well managed.

While juggling motherhood, marriage, and her career, she remains passionate about promoting healthy living. Well, not just in her professional practice but also in her personal life. As she puts it, “It’s about making it part of your life.”

As far as her life with Jan Jensen is concerned, it has been a journey of mutual support and commitment. In fact, the well-known head coach, who is openly gay, finds her strength in her partnership with Julie, and together they’ve worked to build a family and a life full of purpose. “We’ve always felt supported by the community,” Jan says of their life in Iowa City. “We’re filled with so many people who want to do good.”

Julie’s story is a testament to resilience and passion. One that began in the devastation of her athletic career but eventually led to her becoming an inspiration for others in life.