Lead by Example: The Power of Doing Hard Things

Over the past 12 years in practice I’ve noticed something about the world of health and wellness. Everyone seems to have an opinion, but not everyone leads by example. We live in an age where advice is easy to give and hard to live by. From social media “experts” to like minded professionals there’s no shortage of people telling others how to live healthier lives while neglecting their own.


For me, healthcare has always been more than just a profession. Chiropractic changed my world when I needed it most and my lifestyle since then has taken a complete 180. I’m not going to lie though… my health journey hasn’t come without some bumps in the road. As my family has grown life’s priorities shifted some. I put myself on the back burner while trying to continue to give from a slowly emptying cup. This past year I decided to get back on track and challenge myself in a new way. I’m currently 48 weeks into my journey on Peloton which, if you know me, is completely out of my comfort zone. Biking has never been my go-to form of exercise. Playing hockey was always my outlet because of the competition, intensity, and camaraderie. With a growing family with constantly changing nap and bedtime schedules I had to adapt to life’s current season.


That adjustment didn’t come easily. It has required discipline, the kind that doesn’t rely on motivation but on commitment. There were plenty of nights when the easier choice would’ve been to collapse on the couch and turn on the TV. Instead I made the harder choice: to move, to sweat, to stay accountable to myself. Somewhere along the way the discomfort turned into progress and the progress turned into purpose. That purpose changed my mindset from “I have to do this” to “I get to do this”. So many people would give anything to move their body with no restrictions. This journey has reminded me that real health isn’t about perfection it’s about consistency. Showing up even when it’s inconvenient and pushing yourself in ways that strengthen not just your body but your mindset. 


True wellness starts in the quiet moments when no one’s watching when it’s just you and the decision to do better. I want my boys to see that. I want them to understand that health doesn’t come from a pill, a quick fix, or an excuse. It comes from showing up every day even when you don’t feel like it. I want to lead by example for them, for my patients, and for my community. Because here’s the truth about health- we need to become proactive not reactive. Too often we wait until something goes wrong before we decide to make it right. But your health is your greatest wealth and investing in it now pays lifelong dividends.


So my advice this month is simple: don’t just talk about being healthy- live it. Don’t take health advice from people who aren’t walking the same path. Find what challenges you, what pushes you, and commit to it. Do the work. Be the example. That’s where the true up north wellness begins and where it thrives.