I can start out by saying that I lived the typical life growing up. I played sports, was fairly active, lifted weights during the summer weight training program, and ate what I thought was healthy, low-fat foods. The problem though, was that I really was not healthy – I was overweight at 5’7” and 198lbs when I graduated. With college presenting itself and the dreaded freshman 15 lurking, something happened – I lost 25lbs that first year. I think it was mostly from walking to and from class, not having food available 24 hours a day (our kitchens where only open limited hours), continuing to lift and add in some cardio. This is really where my health journey began.
I was drawn to chiropractic when a friend from college started talking to me about the profession. I knew that I wanted to go into the healthcare field, but after learning more about what chiropractic care offered people, I realized that it was a perfect fit. I could work with all types and ages of people, from infants to the elderly, with a variety of ailments, needs, and goals.
I graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. I then attended Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, MN. There, I took classes in anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, radiology, physical diagnosis, as well as chiropractic technique classes.
I was always interested in the body and how it worked but the classes you get in school really did not hit on what it truly means to be healthy. This question has led me to look further into how the body works and ways I can make it work better. I started taking courses in sports nutrition, hormones, gut health, diabetes, blood chemistry, and functional medicine all in hopes of better understanding what optimal health is. I am a certified Kinesio Taping Practitioner and have taken extra courses on treating athletes, with an emphasis on junior high and high school athletes. I have additional certifications in Nutrition, Sports Nutrition, and Rehabilitation
One of the greatest discoveries has been my faith in all of this (I can thank my wife for this aspect). Why is this so important? I believe it sets the tone for how I want to live my life. With how much stress impacts each and every one of us, my faith is the one constant I can always go back too. I draw strength from it, I get inspired to do better, and it teaches me lessons that all those other classes have not.
With increased knowledge in all these areas I get excited to help others be better versions of themselves. Being healthy is more than just staying in shape and eating right. Deep down everyone has the ability to be better, to heal from illness and disease, and live a life they deserve.