We recently connected with Katie McCalley and have shared our conversation below.

Katie, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

My name is Dr. Katie McCalley. I am a chiropractor, and have been for the last 8 years. I have taken more big risks in the last 10 years than most people do in a lifetime.
I grew up in Indiana and went to chiropractic school outside of St. Louis, MO. After school, I decided I wasn’t moving back to Indiana, but instead I would venture into the mountains in Colorado! (Risk #1!)
I found the most beautiful small little mountain town called Pagosa Springs, CO and I fell in love! At 3:30AM the morning after I graduated, I jumped in my car, loaded up my dog and a few belongings, and started driving out to my new life in Colorado. When I was about 3.5 hours from my destination, I ran into an actual blizzard in the mountains. Instead of stopping for the night, I pushed on and safely arrived at my new home around 2:00AM.
I started my new business in a small room I rented out downtown, and the rest is history! I built up a very successful and profitable business in this lovely town and became a part of a wonderful community of people.

After 7 years, I guess I decided I was ready for my next risk. I gave up a great life and a great business and decided to move to a bigger city. The transition out of business in Pagosa Springs came with several challenges, many that were out of my control. Regardless, I took all of my savings and moved up to Colorado Springs, bought a new house and built out an entirely new office all over again!
Starting over in a bigger city where I didn’t know a single person certainly came with its challenges. I learned that starting a business in a city is very different than a small town. There is much more competition and it is harder to become known in the community.
Despite the challenges, I have gotten involved with some lovely groups of people and my business is, once again, growing! I am eager to see where this new journey takes me. I know I am just starting to scratch the surface!

All that to say, it hasn’t always been easy, but what is life without taking risks?!

Katie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My journey into chiropractic began with a deep fascination for the human body’s innate ability to heal and a desire to help others overcome pain and limitations without relying on harmful medications or surgeries. I became fascinated with how powerful the body is and all that it does for us, especially when we take great care of it. Chiropractic was the missing link between spirit and body for me. I dove into my education and training and never looked back!

At High Altitude Chiropractic in CO Springs, CO, we provide a comprehensive range of services centered around manual chiropractic adjustments. While we certainly address spinal health and the common issues associated with it, what truly sets us apart is our specialized focus on extremity and cranial care. This means we go beyond the spine to expertly diagnose and address pain and dysfunction in areas like shoulders, wrists, knees, ankles, and even the delicate structures of the head. We utilize on-site X-rays and neurological scans to gain a thorough understanding of each individual’s unique needs, and set up a plan designed specifically for them!

The problems we solve for our patients are diverse. We help athletes recover from injuries and enhance performance, busy moms find relief from pregnancy-related discomfort and postpartum issues, individuals struggling with persistent headaches or TMJ pain, and anyone experiencing limitations due to pain or irritation in their arms, legs, or spine. Essentially, we help people heal thoroughly and thrive in health and life!

I believe what sets us apart is our personalized, holistic approach combined with our specialized expertise. We don’t offer a one-size-fits-all solution. We take the time to listen to your story, understand your specific challenges, and tailor a treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your issues. We don’t stop at the spine like most other providers; our dedication to both spinal and extremity and cranial health provides a more complete and effective path to recovery and long-term wellness.

I am most proud of being willing to take risks and seeing that pay off exponentially. From re-shaping an infant’s malformed head, to eliminating daily headaches for 20 years after a severe car accident, and providing a safe space and experience for massive physical and emotional release due to childhood trauma, the care I am able to offer patients is truly life-changing, and I am proud of that.

The main things I want potential patients and followers to know about High Altitude Chiropractic are:

We offer more than just traditional chiropractic care. Our specialization in extremities and cranial care provides a unique and comprehensive approach to your health.
We have the technology to and take the time to understand your individual needs and create a tailored treatment plan just for you.
We are committed to your well-being. Our goal is to help you not just find relief, but to truly heal and thrive in life.
We care for the whole family. From prenatal and postpartum support to addressing the aches and pains of active individuals, we are here for you and your loved ones.
We’re here to empower you to live a healthier, more active, and pain-free life from head to toe!

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

When I was younger, I thought that you EARNED happiness and joy by accomplishing things. As such, I worked relentlessly (unhealthily) to achieve and succeed. I did everything in my power to control everything and I was harsh and unkind to myself by never giving myself credit, never letting myself rest and relax, and always demanding more and better of myself. As you can imagine, this lead to massive burnout.
After some major life changes and finally taking time for rest, softness, and stillness, I discovered that is NOT the way. I learned for the first time in my life that you don’t earn your way to joy. I learned that life and business aren’t journeys with a destination, but rather a dance, to be enjoyed in its entirety.
When I decided to relinquish my control in life and in business, I gained my freedom and my joy back. By believing that everything in life and business is always working FOR me, that started to be true. The key to business success for me has been releasing control and letting things unfold as they are meant to. Not only has that given me peace and joy, but it has brought success in ways I never could have imagined!

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

I would choose to become a chiropractor 1000 times over! This is my calling, my passion, and my gift to share with the world. My unique specialty of extremities and cranium allows me to help people in even more ways.
I am incredibly lucky that I get to own my own business and make a solid living helping other people heal and thrive. I will never stop being grateful that I get to do this with my life!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://highaltitudechiropractic.com/
• Instagram: @highaltitudechiro_cs
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554743493696