We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ben Bumguardner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ben, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
Yes, there was a moment that truly shifted the direction of my career, and it happened while I was still in school. One of my classmates, Jay Bhakta, gave me advice that would leave a lasting impact on both my personal and professional development. He told me something so simple, yet so profound: “If you want to impact as many people as you say you do, you need to be more open-minded.”
At first, it seemed like general advice, but the more I reflected on it, the more it hit home. Jay explained that while we all strive to learn and grow, there are things we can learn faster and more effectively through the experiences of others, rather than trying to do everything on our own. From that point on, I shifted my mindset. I made a conscious effort to listen more than I spoke, to ask thoughtful questions, and to seek out wisdom from anyone willing to share their experiences—whether they were in my field or not.
This change in perspective opened doors for countless conversations, both inside and outside of sports chiropractic. I began to value the insights that could be gleaned from every individual I interacted with, from patients to providers, mentors to peers. It reinforced the idea that growth is a continuous journey, and you never know where your next lesson will come from.
This shift in approach has helped shape not only the way I practice but also who I am as a person. It has allowed me to develop deeper relationships with my patients, provide more holistic care, and continuously improve by learning from every interaction.
Ultimately, it’s a reminder that while expertise comes with time and practice, humility and the willingness to learn from others are equally important. I credit much of my growth to that single piece of advice and the ripple effect it has had on my journey.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Dr. Ben Bumguardner, and I’m the founder of Alpha Sports Performance Medicine, a sports chiropractic clinic with a multidisciplinary approach that is designed to provide holistic, individualized care for athletes at all levels. My journey into this field began with a passion for sports and a deep desire to help people push their limits and recover from injuries. Early on, I knew that the traditional model of care wasn’t going to cut it for athletes who needed more than just a “quick fix.” I wanted to offer something comprehensive, something that would not only help athletes recover but also help them perform better and prevent future injuries. That’s how Alpha Sports came to be.
How I Got into the Industry
Growing up, I was always involved in sports, so I was no stranger to the highs of competition and the frustrations of being sidelined due to injury. I saw firsthand how debilitating injuries could be—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. I realized I wanted to help people get through those challenges, and that led me to pursue a career as a sports chiropractor. After finishing chiropractic school, I sought out additional certifications, such as becoming a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP), so I could specialize in treating sports-related injuries and working with athletes at all levels.
What We Offer
At Alpha Sports, we’ve developed what we call the Resiliency Training Model, a unique approach that combines chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage therapy, and nutritional guidance. This model integrates evidence-based research with our years of experience to create individualized treatment plans that help our athletes not only recover from injury but also become more resilient to future stressors. We treat everything from common injuries like sprains and strains to more complex issues like chronic pain and post-surgical rehab. Beyond injury recovery, we also focus on performance enhancement, ensuring our clients are in peak condition to excel in their respective sports.
What Sets Us Apart
Our Just Cause is what truly sets us apart. We are committed to building a future where every athlete has access to a joy-filled, world-class, multidisciplinary team that is steadfast in its pursuit of empowering them to exceed their own expectations. Unlike traditional clinics, we don’t just focus on “fixing the problem”—we focus on building better athletes. We take a community-centered approach, fostering an environment where care is rooted in every action, and joy and fulfillment are the norms. We have had the privilege of working with athletes from local competitors to Team USA athletes, and we treat every single person with the same level of dedication.
The Problems We Solve
We solve problems related to both acute injuries and long-term performance. Whether you’ve rolled your ankle during a game or are dealing with chronic pain, we develop a plan that addresses the root cause, not just the symptoms. Our goal is not only to get you back to your sport but to get you back better—stronger, faster, and more resilient than before. We’re proud of the work we do because we see our athletes return to doing what they love, often exceeding their previous performance levels.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m incredibly proud of the community we’ve built at Alpha Sports. It’s not just about us—it’s about the athletes, moms, dads, kids, and professionals who trust us with their health and their futures. I’m proud that we’ve stayed true to our mission of treating each person individually, respecting their journey, and helping them grow both in and outside of their sport. We’ve created a space where athletes don’t just come for treatment—they come for growth.
What I Want People to Know
At Alpha Sports, it’s not just about fixing injuries. It’s about building resilience, community, and confidence. We work with athletes of all ages and abilities, from youth to professionals, and everyone in between. Our multidisciplinary approach means we tackle the problem from multiple angles, providing a full-spectrum service that isn’t just about getting back on the field—it’s about getting back better.
We’re here to be part of your journey—whether you’re recovering from an injury or looking to take your performance to the next level. It’s not just about health, it’s about thriving.
If you’re interested in learning more about what we do, I invite you to come visit us. We’re here to help you achieve your goals, whatever they may be. Let’s build something amazing together!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One of the most pivotal moments in my journey as a business owner and sports chiropractor was the opening—and eventual closing—of our second Alpha Sports location in McKinney, Texas. When we decided to expand beyond our flagship location, I had high hopes and grand expectations. I poured everything into making it work: time, energy, resources—everything I had. But despite our best efforts, it didn’t go as planned.
McKinney was a humbling experience. We faced a number of challenges, from delays in construction that set us back by months to marketing strategies that didn’t deliver the results we needed. To make matters worse, we weren’t accepting insurance when we opened, which limited our ability to serve a broader base of clients. When things started to unravel, I had to face the hard truth—this was not going to be the success I had envisioned.
We ultimately made the tough decision to close the McKinney location. It was a painful moment, not only because of the financial loss but because I felt like I had let my team and the community down. I had given everything to this expansion, and for a while, it felt like I had failed.
But looking back, I realize that this wasn’t just about business—it was about faith. The Lord was using McKinney to prepare me for the challenges we face today. In the moment, it felt like I was being tested, but what I now understand is that He was teaching me to lean on Him, not my own understanding. Through that season, I learned that resilience isn’t about my own strength, but about trusting in God’s plan, even when I couldn’t see it clearly. It’s His strength that carried me through, and it’s His wisdom that I seek as we continue to grow.
Resilience is a byproduct of trusting Him. The McKinney experience taught me that failure is not the end but a tool the Lord uses to refine us. We re-evaluated our strategies, adapted our approach, and found ways to improve what we were already doing. God used that time to mold me, to show me that His plan is greater than mine, and to remind me that He is always working for my good—even through setbacks.
In hindsight, McKinney didn’t work out, but it was the exact failure I needed. It forced me to re-examine how we operate and how we could grow smarter, not faster. The experience toughened me, but it also made me a better leader and business owner. Today, we’re in a much stronger position for growth and expansion. We’ve learned the importance of flexibility, of pivoting when necessary, and of staying true to our core mission, even when things don’t go as planned.
What I took away from that chapter is that every setback is an opportunity to evolve—and more importantly, to trust God through it all. McKinney didn’t break us; it made us more resilient. And because of that, I’m more confident than ever that Alpha Sports Performance Medicine will continue to expand in ways that are sustainable, impactful, and true to our values. With the Lord guiding us every step of the way, I know we’ll continue to serve and grow, no matter what challenges come our way.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
In my experience, culture and morale are always about the people first. It’s not just about building a business; it’s about building an environment where people can thrive, be joyful, and feel truly cared for. At Alpha Sports, we’ve found that when you create a space where your team feels valued and supported, morale naturally takes care of itself.
One of the core values I strive to live by—and encourage in my team—is resting well. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and burn out. That’s why I hold my team accountable for taking time to rest, to Sabbath, as I like to call it. I truly believe that resting in the Lord and taking time to recharge is essential to maintaining both high morale and sustained productivity. When we take time to rest, we are more present, focused, and able to bring our best selves to the team and to the people we serve.
I’ve also found that when we’re aligned with the Holy Spirit, one of the natural byproducts is JOY—a joy that transcends circumstances. Joy is different from happiness; it’s not dependent on what’s happening around you. I heard it once said that C + P = E: Circumstance + Perspective = Experience. If you allow your circumstances to dictate your perspective, your experience can easily become negative or stressful. But if you let your perspective and heart posture influence your circumstance, choosing to focus on the joy and blessings you already have, then your experience will be filled with gratitude and peace.
As a leader, I focus on encouraging my team to adopt this mindset. I remind them that while we can’t always control our circumstances, we can control our perspective. If we rest well in the Lord and choose joy, then our energy, outlook, and overall experience will be radically different. This doesn’t just improve individual morale; it elevates the entire team’s culture.
At the end of the day, the best investment I can make in my business is in my people. When I pour into them, ensuring they are well-rested, supported, and joyful, the ripple effects are profound. High morale isn’t something you force—it’s a byproduct of creating an environment where people feel genuinely cared for, where they can rest, thrive, and experience joy regardless of external circumstances.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://AlphaSports.org
- Instagram: AlphaSports_CS / Dr_Ben_Bumguardner
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlphaSportsCS / https://www.facebook.com/ben.bumguardner
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-bumguardner-dc-ccsp-004a2b75/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@alphasportsperformancemedi9662
