Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Alec Tramblay. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alec, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.
Starting my own practice was something I always had in the back of my mind, but it became non-negotiable when I realized that the traditional Chiropractic model most offices are run on didn’t give me the time, flexibility, or autonomy to truly help people the way I believe they deserve. I wanted to build something where people with chronic pain such shoulder issues, back pain, hip dysfunction, could come to finally get a thorough plan with actionable steps to improving their symptoms without relying on adjustments for the rest of their life to stay out of pain. So I wanted the space to blend rehab, Chiropractic care, and real performance coaching.
Honestly, one of the biggest challenges was psychological, managing the fear of not knowing where the next patient would come from, especially during slow months. There were months where I had under 10 visits total, and that hits hard. I was constantly refining my messaging, questioning my pricing, and trying to figure out how to get in front of the right people without a big ad budget or email list. I had to learn how to market and sell, not just deliver care.
Another challenge was balancing my desire to help people with being a business owner. I had to learn to structure care plans that made clinical sense and created financial stability for the business. That meant learning how to communicate value, build trust, and not be afraid to charge for the results I provide.
The mistakes taught me a lot. But if I could go back, I would’ve gotten help on the marketing and operations side sooner. I tried to do everything myself at first, and it burned a lot of time I could’ve spent seeing patients or building relationships. I also would’ve started building a local referral network before I even opened instead of waiting until I was up and running.
Don’t wait until the timing is perfect. Just start. Pick a simple care model that reflects your philosophy, offer packages that are outcome based, and get face-to-face with real people in your community. Be consistent with content, even if it’s just talking to the camera about what you do and who you help. You don’t need a huge following, you need the right 20 people to trust you.
And most importantly, your skill as a clinician matters, but your skill in communication, building rapport and trust, and business will determine how far you actually go. If you want to do this your way, you have to become more than just a great provider, you have to become the kind of person people feel safe investing in.
Alec, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Dr. Alec Tramblay, a Marine Corps veteran turned Rehab Chiropractor based in Fort Collins, Colorado. I founded Tier 1 Performance & Rehab to help active adults, especially in their 30s to 50s, get lasting relief from chronic shoulder, back, knee pain and hip pain without having to stop doing what they love.
After struggling with back pain myself and growing frustrated with generic advice and short-term fixes, I set out to create a practice that blends hands-on care, strength training, and customized rehab to actually solve the root cause. I offer one-on-one care, and online coaching for people who are tired of being told to just rest or stop training.
What sets me apart is the time I spend with my clients, the clarity of the plan I give them, and the fact that I train and live the way many of my clients do. I get it. I’m proud to help people move better, lift pain-free, and feel confident in their bodies again.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
All through chiropractic school, I kept wondering if I should have gone the physical therapy route instead. In Colorado, there are a lot of cash-based PTs who practice in a very similar way to how I do now, combining hands-on care with rehab and strength training. Honestly, the main reason I might have chosen PT school would have been to stay in Colorado rather than move to Georgia for four years of school. But looking back, I don’t think it would have changed much about how I practice. If anything, being exposed to some of the more traditional chiropractic approaches made me even more passionate about evidence-based care. It pushed me to question what actually works and why, and that mindset plays a big role in how I help patients today.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has honestly been showing up consistently on social media with content that educates, connects, and feels real. I talk about the things my patients actually deal with, like shoulder pain during pressing, back tightness during training, and the frustration of being told to just rest. I keep it simple, clear, and rooted in what I do every day in the clinic. But the real growth has come from more than just posting. It comes from chatting with people in the DMs, responding to comments, and being a real human. I don’t treat followers like numbers. I treat them like people who are curious, in pain, or looking for help. That is where trust starts. It is not about going viral. It is about showing up consistently, giving value, and building real relationships one conversation at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Tier1-pr.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/alec_tramblay
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/tier1pr
- Youtube: @dralectramblay
