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

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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