Welcome, Martina & Maddy!
January 27, 2026
My name is Martina Hancock and I am a senior exercise science student on the pre-physical therapy track at Loyola University Chicago! I am one of the new interns at GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago as a part of finishing my degree this semester. I am responsible for leading the GiGiFIT Adult programs every Tuesday at 11:00am and helping Thursdays at 5:30pm. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be creative and apply my knowledge that I’ve gained during my time at Loyola. I am also so thankful to be at GiGi’s working with all of the amazing staff, participants, and family. With my pre-PT track I can appreciate the physical therapy-based intervention style of GiGiFIT and have already learned so much from the staff and participants in applying my education to the real world. This experience has been so amazing and beneficial already, and I am so excited for the rest of the semester!
After GiGi’s and graduating from LUC, I hope to go on to graduate school for a DPT program which would allow me the opportunity to be a practicing physical therapist. I love to do yoga, go to the gym, watch movies and TV shows, go shopping, try new restaurants, and be around friends and family! I am so happy to be able to use my passion of helping people through physical therapy in the GiGi’s community, and I am not only applying my knowledge from school but learning more everyday I am at the Playhouse. Again, I am so thankful to GiGi’s for taking me on as an intern, and I would love to see all of you reading this at a GiGiFIT sometime soon!
My name is Madeline DeMare, and I am a senior attending Loyola University Chicago, majoring in Exercise Science on the Pre-Physical Therapy Track. I am one of the new interns here at GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago, which is part of my internship this semester. I lead the GiGiFIT Teen every Monday at 5:00 pm and help with the GiGiFIT Adult on Thursdays at 5:30 pm. I am so excited to get to apply the knowledge I have learned over my 4 years at Loyola here at GiGi’s. I have loved getting to know the staff, volunteers, participants, and families. Using the knowledge I gained through my education at Loyola and my experience working in a physical therapy clinic, I can apply it to the GiGiFIT programs I teach. I have enjoyed every second of the experience so far and cannot wait for the rest of the semester.
After graduating from Loyola in May, I will attend graduate school in the fall to complete my Doctor of Physical Therapy. My future career goal is to be a pediatric physical therapist. I enjoy baking, reading, attending workout classes, exploring Chicago, and spending time with family & friends. I am so excited to be an intern here at GiGi’s and cannot wait to learn more!
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