We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Chad D. McKinney a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Chad D., thanks for joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My sister and I would not be who we are today without the love, support and guidance from our parents. Through word and deed, they constantly reminded us that we can do and be anything in this life. That anything is possible through faith, hard work and relentless determination. I can never express how grateful I am to my parents. They have literally given everything to our family. They have demonstrated what perseverance and a positive attitude truly look like in the face of hardship. They have reminded us that there is always something to be grateful for, while finding the humor and joy even through the trying times. To be strong and stand up for ourselves. To admit when we’re wrong. To not dwell on the past, and not stress about that which we can’t control. To think for ourselves and seek solutions, not excuses. So ultimately, what did my parents do right? They let their heart guide their decisions and actions, while showing us every day what true, unconditional love really is.

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

I have a passion for surfing, self-improvement, travel and helping people. One thing that people may not know about me, other than close Family and Friends, is that I’m not afraid to fall on my face pursuing something I Love. I want to look back on my life knowing I gave my best every step of the way, rather than wonder what could have been. I would like to say that I have gained much through failure, hardship and lost, but I feel that would be misleading. Really, these experiences have inspired me to go deep within and let go of that which was false. Through this Peace has been realized.

It’s through my work that I want to remind others of this Peace they have within themselves. That each of us is empowered with an ability to choose the life we want. This may not always be easy, but it’s absolutely worth it. To understand that health and joy are a holistic endeavor. My business is the result of a lifelong passion exploring peak performance in individuals and group dynamics.

I have recently partnered as an independent contractor with Ocean Pacific Gym & Wellness and Ocean Pacific Healing. Here I serve as an Energy Bodywork practitioner, Instructor and also assist companies in setting up corporate wellness programs for their employees. I have been very Blessed to travel a lot in my life and I have never seen a facility that offers so much to its members. The state-of-the-art amenities, warm, friendly staff and beautiful location right on the beach are but the tip of the iceberg to what makes this place so great. We currently have several cold plunge tubs, handcrafted saunas, a Himalayan salt room, world-class instructors, organic food prepared fresh and hot off the grill every day, and so much more. The classes they offer are incredible! They have Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Pilates, yoga, sound healing, dance cardio, spin & sculpt, HIIT, Muay Thai, and boxing just to name a few! I teach the Peak Performance class every Saturday at 11 am on our beautiful, outdoor Ocean Oasis Deck. This incorporates empirically-based breathwork and meditation practices helping us to tap into our peace, while simultaneously enhancing our physiological, neurological, emotional and cognitive function. We finish every class with a cold plunge in our full-sized ice bath tubs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Ultimately my work is to remind individuals of the power they have within themselves to live a happy, healthy and thriving life. Usually that involves letting go of our attachments, expectations, judgments, fears and ways in which we identify ourselves. The Professional Development seminars and Corporate Wellness program provide people with valuable resources they can use to better their lives, today. The Energy bodywork varies per client, but I have heard it likened to several years of intense, psychotherapy accomplished in a single session. It can be very cathartic for those ready and willing to let go of that which no longer serves them.

One thing I would love for potential clients to understand is that they already have everything they need within them right now. Their Peace, their power, their joy, their Love, everything they have spent their lives seeking after, has always been within them. Ever walk around the house looking for your keys, just to realize they were in your pocket the whole time? It’s similar to that. We can waste lifetimes searching far and wide outside of ourselves for something that was within us the entire time. This Peace is realized when we Accept, Allow, Surrender and relax fully into the Moment.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Closing my nonprofit back in 2014 was one of these experiences. I had literally given my blood, sweat, tears and nearly lost my life on several occasions pushing to see that dream through. When it finally became obvious that I was swimming against the river (after losing 30 lbs., multiple nervous breakdowns, bleeding gums for weeks on end, and the IRS showing up unannounced at my doorstep) I knew I had to make some changes. Oftentimes, the worst things in life, have the potential to be some of the best. Though this was one of the hardest times in my life, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Experience is the best teacher. I learned many life lessons through that experience that have served to make me the person I am today.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Experience and truly caring about people are vital to succeeding in this field. Really life in general. Also, a willingness to unlearn is just as important as a willingness to learn. Oftentimes, our knowledge and training can take us so far, but they then become barriers to our progress. We become quick to dismiss anything contradicting our hard-fought ‘knowledge’ and willfully blind to new information in our field (and lives). So, a willingness to change is also vital to success in our field. As we change our lives for the better, that spills over into our relationships with our family, friends, co-workers, the organization and community at large.

Contact Info:

• Website: oneloveholistichealth.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chad.mckinney/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chad.mckinney.790
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-chad-d-mckinney-95a84a4a/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/one-love-holistic-health-san-diego
• Other: https://www.oceanpacificgym.com/peak-performance

Image Credits
Anita Friedrich for the energy work picture and Josh Timpany for the two meditation pictures.