Tatem is from West Point, Nebraska, where she attended West Point Central Catholic High School. During her high school years, she played volleyball, basketball, and ran track. Tatem went on to attend Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science. She then attended Des Moines University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Tatem holds a certification in manual physical therapy and is a member of both the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the Nebraska Physical Therapy Association (NPTA).