The Journey from Self-Doubt to Success: A Young Chiropractor’s Story

2025-03-04

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HOST: Dr. Don MacdonaldGuest: Dr. Talissa Shekelton This is a special episode of the Informed Chiropractor podcast. We have Dr. Talissa, who is not only a chiropractor but also a chiropractor’s patient herself. Her chiropractic journey reads like a movie script. She was born with a failing bladder, survived on antibiotics for years, and was misdiagnosed with epilepsy by 12. But here’s the twist: she didn’t just survive. She rewired her broken nervous system, stumbled into chiropractic care while bagging groceries, and now heals hundreds by blending raw science with soul. In this ...

HOST: Dr. Don Macdonald
Guest: Dr. Talissa Shekelton

This is a special episode of the Informed Chiropractor podcast. We have Dr. Talissa, who is not only a chiropractor but also a chiropractor’s patient herself. Her chiropractic journey reads like a movie script. She was born with a failing bladder, survived on antibiotics for years, and was misdiagnosed with epilepsy by 12. But here’s the twist: she didn’t just survive. She rewired her broken nervous system, stumbled into chiropractic care while bagging groceries, and now heals hundreds by blending raw science with soul.

In this no-filter chat, she opens the playbook on why safety amplifies every adjustment, how to spot neurological “danger” in a patient’s posture, and why taking your health seriously makes you a better chiropractor. You will hear about burnout breakdowns, ugly crying to mentors, and the exact moment she realized her body wasn’t broken—it was brilliant.

Timestamps:

0:00 – 0:47: Safety First

How Dr. Talissa’s near-death experience shaped her chiropractic philosophy.

0:47 – 3:37: Doctors Said I’d Never Thrive
Surviving childhood illness, chronic fatigue, and medical gaslighting.

3:37 - 6:12: Checkout Aisle Miracle

The life-changing chat with a stranger (and future mentor) while scanning groceries. 🛒

6:12 – 7: 45: Student to Star Associate

Why she took a train to nowhere (and found her dream job).

7:45 –10:34: My First Year Almost Broke Me

Brutal truths about systems, support, and hustling in a tiny clinic.

10:34 – 15:24: Burnout Diaries

worked like I’d die tomorrow… until I almost did.
15:24 – 20:17: Polyvagal Theory Made Simple

How to feel danger in a patient’s body (and flip it off).

20:17 – 20:22: Stop Running, Start Trusting

The adjustment trick that saved her energy (and sanity).

22:22 – 25:24: Finally Leveling Up
Mentorship, ugly crying, and building a practice family.

25:44 –28:42: Lift Heavy, Adjust Better
Why she now deadlifts farmers (and out-adjusts truck drivers)

28:42 – 32:50: Final Pep Talk
Your body isn’t broken; it’s brilliant. Let it heal.

Spoiler: This isn’t just for chiropractors. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt “too damaged” to dream big.
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#ChiropracticCare #NervousSystemHealing #ChiropracticSuccess #PolyvagalTheory #Chiropractor #Chiropractors #ChronicIllnessWarrior #MindBodyConnection #Medicine #Healthpractice

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