What made you want to do the work you do? Please share the full story.
Instead of accepting a future limited by pain, I chose to dedicate my career to helping others who are searching for answers. I understand what it’s like to be the patient sitting in the chair, frustrated because nothing seems to be working. That perspective has stayed with me throughout my career.
Today, what motivates me isn’t building a bigger practice or chasing recognition. It’s seeing people regain their health, return to activities they thought they’d lost forever, and enjoy life with their families again. Knowing that my own struggles can help me better understand and care for someone else is what continues to inspire me every day.
Tell us 3 surprisingly easy and 3 surprisingly difficult things about your business.
Some things about my work have become surprisingly easy over the years.
First, adjusting patients. After thousands upon thousands of adjustments, much of it has become second nature. That only comes from years of study, repetition, and experience.
Second, making clinical decisions. Experience has given me confidence. While every patient is unique, I’ve learned to trust my examination, my training, and my judgment.
Third, connecting with patients. People don’t just want a doctor they want someone who listens. Building relationships has become one of the most natural and enjoyable parts of my day.
The difficult parts of my work are different.
The hardest is knowing I can’t help everyone. Sometimes a condition is too advanced, or a patient isn’t a candidate for the treatment they were hoping for. Those conversations are never easy because I genuinely want people to get better.
Second, balancing patient care with running a business. As a business owner, there are responsibilities that have nothing to do with adjusting patients managing finances, regulations, staffing, and countless behind-the-scenes decisions. Those things are necessary, but they’re not why I became a chiropractor.
Third, carrying the responsibility that comes with people’s trust. Patients are placing their health in my hands, and I never take that lightly. Every recommendation I make has the potential to impact someone’s life. That’s a responsibility I respect every single day, and it’s one of the reasons I continue learning and striving to improve after all these years.
What are the 3 things you like best about your work and why?
There are a lot of things I enjoy about being a chiropractor and business owner, but three stand out above the rest.
First, I love seeing people’s lives change. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching someone who came into the office in pain regain their ability to work, play with their kids or grandkids, or simply enjoy life again. Those moments never get old.
Second, I enjoy solving problems. Every patient is different, and I like the challenge of figuring out what’s really causing their symptoms instead of simply treating the pain. It’s like putting together a puzzle where every piece matters.
Third, I enjoy building something bigger than myself. Whether it’s mentoring my team, improving our systems, or creating new programs that help more people, I enjoy constantly finding ways to make the practice better than it was yesterday.
What are your greatest 3 skills and how have they helped you succeed?
If I had to identify the three skills that have had the greatest impact on my life and career, they would be my adjusting skills, my refusal to quit, and my vision for what is possible.
The first is my adjusting ability. I have spent years studying and refining the Gonstead System because I believe precision matters. Every patient is different, and I take pride in finding the right adjustment for the right patient at the right time. Seeing someone regain function, return to work, or simply enjoy life again reminds me why I chose this profession.
The second is something that isn’t taught in school—I refuse to lose or fail. That doesn’t mean I never make mistakes or face setbacks. I certainly do. It means I don’t allow obstacles to determine the outcome. My military experience taught me resilience, and building a practice reinforced that lesson. There have been difficult seasons, but quitting was never an option. Every challenge became an opportunity to learn, adapt, and come back stronger.
The third is vision. I’ve always enjoyed looking beyond where things are today and imagining what they could become. Whether it’s improving the patient experience, expanding services, or developing new ways to help people, I enjoy thinking several steps ahead. Vision has helped me make decisions that aren’t just good for today but position our practice for the future.
Tell us about a time you were dead wrong about something.
One experience that has stayed with me throughout my career happened early in practice. A patient came in wanting to be adjusted, but based on my examination and training, I didn’t believe it was the right time. I explained my concerns and even warned her that if I adjusted her that day, there was a good chance she would be more uncomfortable afterward.
She was persistent, and because I was a young doctor, I made the mistake of wanting to make the patient happy instead of trusting my clinical judgment. I gave the adjustment, and unfortunately, exactly what I had warned about happened she was in more pain afterward.
How do you get yourself out of a funk? Please share the details.
When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I take a step back and avoid trying to solve everything at once. I prioritize what matters most and focus on the next right step. Building a little momentum usually makes the rest feel more manageable.
I also remind myself of my purpose and focus on serving the person in front of me instead of worrying about my entire to-do list. Prayer and reading Scripture help me regain perspective and remind me that I do not have to carry every burden alone.
I try not to make emotional decisions when I am frustrated or exhausted. When possible, I give myself time to think before responding. I also recharge by spending time with my family, especially my grandchildren, and by getting outdoors. These things help clear my mind and bring my priorities back into focus.
Finally, I remind myself that difficult seasons are temporary. Past challenges have taught me that with faith, perseverance, and the right priorities, I can work through whatever I am facing.
What is a habit you try to stick to and how has it helped you?
One habit that has made the biggest difference in my productivity is staying focused on the task that’s directly in front of me. When I’m with a patient, my attention is on that patient not my phone, not my email, and not the next appointment. I believe people can tell when they’re truly being listened to, and that focus leads to better care and better outcomes.
I also believe in preparation. Before my day begins, I review my schedule, look over any imaging or notes that need my attention, and make sure I’m ready for each patient. That simple routine helps me stay organized and allows me to spend more time connecting with people instead of catching up throughout the day.
Another habit I’ve developed is continuously learning. Healthcare is always changing, and I make it a priority to read, attend training, and learn from other professionals. I don’t think you ever reach a point where you’ve learned everything. Staying curious helps me become a better doctor and helps our practice continue to improve.
Most importantly, I try to end each day asking myself one question: “Did I leave things better than I found them?” Whether that’s helping a patient, encouraging a team member, or improving a process in the office, making small improvements every day has a much bigger impact than trying to make huge changes all at once.
How do you celebrate your victories?
As for celebrating victories, I’ve found that the older I get, the less I focus on the achievement itself and the more I focus on who I get to share it with. Whether it’s a personal milestone, a business accomplishment, or reaching an important goal, I enjoy celebrating with my wife, children, and grandchildren. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. Sometimes it’s just grilling steaks by the pool, enjoying a meal together, and being thankful for God’s blessings.
I’ve also learned not to stay in “celebration mode” for too long. It’s important to appreciate your accomplishments, but I believe success is built one day at a time. After taking time to celebrate, I’m usually thinking about the next opportunity to learn, grow, and serve others. That’s what keeps me motivated.
What is your favorite movie and why?
Honestly, I don’t watch a lot of television. During the winter months, I’ll occasionally watch sports, especially when there’s a big game on. I’ll also sit down and watch a show or movie with my wife because it’s a simple way for us to relax and spend quality time together. Those evenings aren’t really about what’s on the screen they’re about being together.
For the most part, though, I’d rather spend my free time outdoors. When the weather is nice, you’ll usually find me outside with my family, relaxing by the pool, working on projects around the house, or simply enjoying the sunshine. After spending most of the day indoors caring for patients and running a business, being outside helps me recharge both physically and mentally.
I think we’re all so connected to screens these days that it’s important to intentionally disconnect once in a while. For me, time outdoors is far more refreshing than sitting in front of a television. It’s a chance to slow down, spend quality time with my wife, children, and grandchildren, and appreciate the things that matter most.
If I have the choice, I’ll almost always choose an afternoon outside with my family over binge-watching a television series.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: be patient and trust the process. Early in my career, I felt like I had to have all the answers right away and that success should happen quickly. Looking back, I realize that becoming a good doctor and building a practice people truly trust takes time. Those experiences both the successes and the setbacks are what shape you.
I would also tell myself not to be afraid to ask for help. There are mentors who have already faced the challenges you’re about to encounter, and learning from their experience can save you a lot of time and frustration. None of us succeeds entirely on our own.
Who has been your biggest mentor in life (personal or professional) and how have they helped you?
Without question, my biggest mentor has been my father. He isn’t a chiropractor, but he taught me lessons that have shaped every part of my life and career.
My dad owned a construction company, and I grew up watching what it meant to work hard. He didn’t just talk about responsibility, integrity, and commitment he lived it every single day. He taught me that if you’re going to do something, do it right the first time. Your name and your reputation are worth more than any paycheck, and people will remember how you treated them long after they forget what you charged them.
He also showed me what it means to lead by example. Whether it was taking care of customers, providing for his family, or showing up every day regardless of how difficult things were, he demonstrated a work ethic that has stayed with me throughout my life. As a business owner myself, I often think back to the lessons I learned simply by watching him.
But more important than the business lessons was the example he set as a father and now as a grandfather. He has always put his family first and has shown unconditional love, consistency, and humility. Those qualities have influenced the kind of husband, father, grandfather, and leader I strive to be.
Looking back, I realize that some of the most valuable education I ever received didn’t come from a classroom it came from watching my dad live his life. The principles he taught me about hard work, honesty, perseverance, and treating people the right way have been the foundation of everything I’ve tried to build, both personally and professionally. For that, I’ll always be grateful.
Just for fun, what is your favorite food?
My favorite meal is a grass-fed, bone-in ribeye steak. I’m a believer that simple is often best, and there’s nothing better than a well-seasoned ribeye cooked just right. If I’m celebrating or grilling for family and friends, that’s usually what’s on the menu.