The Informed Chiropractor Podcast

🎙 Host: Dr. Don Macdonald 🎙 Guest: Dr. Rachel Swan In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, Dr. Don Macdonald sits down with Dr. Rachel Swan to discuss her journey in chiropractic, the impact of mentorship, and her passion for long-distance walking pilgrimages. She shares insights on personal transformation, the role of the polyvagal theory in practice, and the power of 20 seconds of courage. The conversation moves to Dr. Swan's origin story, how she got into chiropractic, her mentors, her education, and early career success. There's a discussion about her vitalistic approach before school and her experiences during chiropractic school. She mentions mentors like Dr. Lisa Sheldon and Dr. James Carter. Later, they discuss her decision to open her own practice, her initial challenges, and how she built her patient base. The conversation shifts to her passion for pilgrimage walks, how she got into them, their impact on her life, and her plans to organize group walks. Dr. Swan shares her experience with the 90-day mentoring program, how it transformed her personally and professionally, and the integration of polyvagal theory into her practice. She mentions the importance of self-trust and interoception. The episode wraps up with advice for chiropractors feeling lost or burnt out, emphasizing courage and finding the right community. For more informations on our upcoming seminar in sydney in June, check it out here: https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com/australia Time Stamps / Podcast Episode: 0:00 - 2:16: Introduction & Background 2:16 - 4:09: Mentorship & Early Influences 4:09 - 7:05: Practicing in Australia & Canada 7:05 - 9:46: The Walking Chiropractor: Discovering Pilgrimages 9:46 - 12:04: How Far Do You Walk on a Pilgrimage? 12:04 - 14:55: Chiropractic, Polyvagal Theory & Personal Growth 14:55 - 18:25: Joining The Informed Chiropractor & 90-Day Mentorship 18:25 - 21:55: Words of Wisdom for Chiropractors 21:55 - 23:26: The Role of Courage & Future Pilgrimages 23:26 - 25:00: Closing & Final Thought. This is a must-watch episode for those aiming for a successful chiropractic practice. You can connect with us on other platforms: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinformedchiropractor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/informed_chiropractor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theInformedChiropractor

This is another solo episode of The Informed Chiropractor Podcast with Dr. Don, He shares practical advice and strategies to help chiropractors grow their practice and thrive in 2025. From handling real-life challenges in patient care to building better habits and setting goals, this episode is all about actionable insights to keep your practice ahead of the game. Dr. Don discusses the 2025 90-Day Program, a powerful resource designed to help you elevate your chiropractic practice and achieve meaningful results.He also mentioned the new initiative by Brandi to help women stay fits and better as a unique fitness goal for the year; Body by Brandi. You can check that out here; https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com/body-by-brandi In this episode you will learn: Real-life lessons for managing unexpected challenges in practice. The impact of your own health habits on patient care. Setting resolutions to stay ahead in the chiropractic world. The importance of self-integrity and creating boundaries between your life, health nad business. How the 2025 90-Day Program can transform your practice. Show Notes / Podcast Episode: 00:00 - 03:01: Intro. 03:01 - 07:42: Managing real-life challenges in chiropractic practice. 07:42 - 10:25: The importance of focusing on your health habits. 10:25 - 12:36: Setting goals and resolutions for your chiropractic business. 12:36 - 14:25: Self-integrity and creating boundaries for long-term success. 14:25 - 19:04: An introduction to the 2025 90-Day Program. 19:04 - 20:15: Outro Dr. Don’s straightforward approach and actionable tips make this episode a must-listen for chiropractors ready to take their practice to new heights in 2025. You can connect with us on other platforms: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinformedchiropractor   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/informed_chiropractor/   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theInformedChiropractor

In this episode of the The Informed Chiropractor podcast, host Dr. Don McDonald speaks with Dr. Tanya Chambers, a chiropractor from Ontario. Dr. Chambers discusses her journey into chiropractic, sharing that she was nudged toward the discipline after initially considering pediatrics. She emphasizes the importance of feeling comfortable with one's chiropractor for effective care. She also discusses how she applies the principles of Polyvagal theory to her practice, stressing the vital role of making patients feel safe and comfortable. Dr. Chambers also shares advice for students and chiropractors, suggesting they visit other practitioners' offices to learn and always be themselves, prioritizing self-care and maintaining their passion for their work. 02:50 Dr. Tanya Chambers' Journey into Chiropractic 05:29 Exploring Other Career Paths 07:42 Discovering Chiropractic and Starting Practice 13:27 The Importance of Community Engagement in Practice 17:10 Expanding the Practice and Teamwork 18:26 Working as a Husband-Wife Team in Chiropractic 19:46 Balancing Business and Personal Relationships 20:14 The Challenges of Separating Work and Personal Life 20:50 The Intersection of Passion and Work 21:40 Introduction to the Polyvagal Theory 22:53 Applying the Polyvagal Theory in Practice 23:29 The Art, Science, and Philosophy of Chiropractic 26:46 The Importance of Communication in Chiropractic 31:01 Advice for Chiropractic Students 33:41 Reflections and Advice for Younger Self 35:52 The Importance of Self-Care for Chiropractors 39:28 Closing Thoughts and Final Advice To know more about our upcoming events: ✅ Visit our official website: https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com   📲 Let’s Connect!  Follow us on  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevitalityshift Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/informed_chiropractor/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheInformedChiropractor Website: https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com  

After a hiatus, Dr. Don is relaunching the podcast today with a brand new name. In this solo episode, Dr. Don discusses rebranding from Vitality Shift Podcast for Chiropractors to The Informed Chiropractor and how the principles of chiropractic care can blend with the revolutionary insights of the Polyvagal Theory. He describes how implementing the Polyvagal Theory with chiropractic principles can more profoundly impact patients' nervous systems. He also talks about neuroception and interoception and how they are critical in detecting danger and self-awareness. He explains how chiropractic adjustments and using the MacDonald Safety Corridor Protocol can optimize patient care by aiming to achieve a ventral vagal state where the body heals optimally.  01:20 Rebranding and Evolution of The Informed Chiropractor 01:48 The Vitality Shift and Objective Testing 03:52 Implementing the Polyvagal Theory in Chiropractic 05:41 Understanding the States of the Nervous System 06:59 The Role of Neuroception and Interoception in Chiropractic 08:56 The McDonald Safety Corridor and the Importance of Chiropractic Adjustment 15:33 The Polyvagal Shift and MacDonald Safety Corridor Protocol 17:53 Conclusion and Future Plans for The Informed Chiropractor   To know more about our upcoming events: ✅ Visit our official website: https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com   📲 Let’s Connect!  Follow us on  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thevitalityshift Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/informed_chiropractor/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheInformedChiropractor Website: https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com

In this episode of The Informed Chiropractor, Dr. Nicole Leaderman, an expert in chiropractic care for pregnant women and children joins us to discuss the unique needs and benefits of chiropractic adjustments for pregnant women and children. Dr. Leaderman will join us at our upcoming seminar as a guest teacher, sharing her insights on safe and effective adjustment techniques for expecting mothers and pediatric patients. She also discusses her approach to creating a supportive environment and practical strategies for chiropractors working with these unique patient groups. Dr. Leaderman also discusses her journey in building a successful chiropractic practice, her essential techniques, and tips for those entering the field. If you're a chiropractor, student, or anyone interested in the benefits of chiropractic care for specialized populations, this episode is packed with actionable insights and practical advice. Whether you're a chiropractor or simply looking to refine your technique, this episode offers valuable knowledge. To register for our upcoming event. Visit: https://www.theinformedchiropractor.com Show Notes (00:00 - 01:17): Introduction (01:17 - 08:31): Dr. Nicole Leaderman’s Journey and Specialization (08:31 - 12:50): Essential Techniques for Adjusting Pregnant Women (12:50 - 14:56): Pediatric Chiropractic Care Essentials (14:56 - 22:29): Preparing for the Upcoming Seminar (22:29 - 25:59): Why Regular Adjustments Matter for Chiropractors (25:59 - 26:27): Key Takeaways for Chiropractors (26:27 - 27:35 ): Outro 📲 Let’s Connect!  Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/theinformedchiropractor  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/informed_chiropractor/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/theInformedChiropractor