Breaking The Underdog Curse for Chiropractors

In cognitive sciences, stress is implicated in 90% of all chronic illnesses yet many doctors aren’t willing to make that diagnosis. Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and mental illness top the charts worldwide for debilitating physiological issues with little being done to get to the root cause. The healthcare system is failing people leaving chiropractic care to lead the way in removing subluxations to get the body back into working order. To discuss pertinent research on the topic of complete care, Dr. Don welcomes returning guest and long-time mentor Dr. Michael Hall to the podcast. Dr. Hall is an expert who facilitates seminars in improving function and increasing brain health. He describes various research papers that focus on the connection between subluxation and brain function, lung capacity, chronic forward head posture caused by electronics, and more. This fascinating conversation offers chiropractors the opportunity to refocus their message beyond adjustments and toward treating the whole human.  To register for our Gold Coast Shift Unplugged event in Australia, please go to   Key Takeaways: How just getting out of a chair and walking can increase your health. [2:02] Dr. Hall shares the research that demonstrates how chiropractic care can repair damage caused by excessive stress. [8:33]  The importance of self-care for chiropractors. [18:48] How chiropractic adjustments affect the prefrontal cortex. [22:49]  Dr. Hall unpacks an article regarding chronic forward head posture and how it affects lung capacity and brain function. [23:26]  The message chiropractors need to share about the benefits of adjustments. [32:18] Addressing clinical research papers can assist chiropractors in identifying underlying causes of practice member's pain. [39:38]  Learn More:

Most chiropractors know what they need to do to grow their practice but hesitate when asked why they don’t take the needed steps to do it. The number one reason chiropractors don’t grow is that they are afraid of objections and rejection.  If you spend energy pushing towards goals that you are unsure of, it can burn you out and you may stop setting goals altogether. But it's a vicious cycle you can mentally and emotionally overcome. In this episode, Brandi and Dr. Don discuss the common barriers and deficits many chiropractors gave voice to at the recent Shift Unplugged event.  Brandi shares ways to desensitize fear, resources for self-guided learning opportunities, and information on how you can be part of future Shift Unplugged events and masterminds.  To register for our Gold Coast Shift Unplugged event in Australia, please go to:   Key Takeaways: Brandi recaps the benefits of having 600+ years of chiropractic experience from the Phoenix Shift Unplugged event. [1:15] Most people know what it takes to grow their practice but they don’t know how to overcome the barriers to do it. [7:37] To adapt emotionally you must be physically strong and this is where the self-care pyramid becomes important. [15:09]  Masterminds are designed to help chiropractors to get clear about what they want and then to build the strategies to get there. [16:40]  Brandi offers resources from influencers who can help lay the groundwork for making true change. [23:12] Dr. Don and Brandi discuss upcoming True Concept Seminar events around the globe. [26:24] Learn More:

Shifter and guest speaker at Vitality Shift events, Dr. Ben Purcell joins Dr. Don to discuss the biggest transformations he experienced after joining the Vitality Shift program and switching to the life model. His practice in Bathurst, Australia has doubled its growth over the past two years, and he is a vital part of our mentorship program. He describes the challenges he faced as he tried to create new habits that better align himself, and his practice, into exactly what he wants. Dr. Ben has evolved his practice into an enduring center of wellness.  After listening to this episode, you will understand why it is important to be open to changes and know your premise, how the life model benefits the lives of practice members in a way pain-based care cannot, and how taking full responsibility for yourself and your actions can transform your practice.   To register for our live event in Australia, please go to:   Key Takeaways: Dr. Purcell describes how he overcame challenges in his practice by taking full responsibility for his actions. [4:54] Real transformation occurred for Ben when he transitioned from pain-based care to the life model. [10:51] The importance of the adjustment. [21:16] Understanding their personality style can help chiropractors become aligned with who they want to be. [30:59] Why taking care of your personal health ultimately takes care of your practice. [37:50]  Dr. Purcell shares his takeaways from 2019 King’s Cliff Vitality Shift. [45:48] Learn More:  

Dr. Don digs deep into the archives to find this important podcast previously published as What Does Money Have To Do With It? . This 50th episode in the Breaking the Underdog Curse series is co-hosted by Brandi MacDonald. It is imperative to revisit the necessary topic of money and finances several times throughout the year because once you get your money in order it makes everything in your practice easier. If you are stressed about your finances it can be difficult to give ideal recommendations. And, if you get your money under control, objections become less of an issue. After listening to this episode, you will hear how two very different upbringings impact a person’s financial future and how to change your mindset around the value of money. Key Takeaways: Examples of the many ways money controls our lives. [9:09] Dr. Don and Brandi share their personal financial histories and how it affected their betrothment. [12:15] The income to debt ratio and how it affects chiropractors. [24:27] Learn More:

Dr. Don heads south and drops into New Zealand to speak with Dr. David Comely of Total Health Chiropractic in Wellington. Dr. Comely has been in practice for 13 years, has two practices with 7 chiropractors and is part of the Vitality Shift program. When he adds new associates — mostly new graduates — into his practice he prepares them for the mental, physical, and emotional stressors they may experience by working with them on their headspace. He wants to make sure they are clear on their why, their values, and their technique.  After listening to this episode, you will have a solid strategy for adding associates to your practice, what type of training to use with new associates, what to consider when contemplating adding new locations, and tips on how to avoid burnout associated with growing a practice.  Key Takeaways: David shares his experiences with chiropractic throughout his life and why he embraced chiropractic as a career. [2:39] At New Zealand Chiropractic College, David was able to get the perspective of many different teachers. [6:50] David started his chiropractic career as an associate but he had a vision for what he wanted his own practice in Wellington to look like. [12:09] How David built up his practice after starting from scratch in a new city. [17:51] When David was seeing 100 practice members a week and still running the business, he knew it was time to hire associates. [24:09] When hiring associates David uses these strategies to help them be their best. [29:10] Advice from David on how to avoid burnout. [40:10] Tips for chiropractors to stay happy and healthy in their Vitalistic practice. [46:55]   Learn More: