We were lucky to catch up with Elly Salamanca recently and have shared our conversation below.

Elly , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear stories from your time in school/training/etc.

Chiropractic school has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. One moment that stands out came during my time as a chiropractic student intern. I have been working with a patient who has been dealing with chronic shoulder pain for years. Together, we developed a care plan that combined adjustments and rehabilitation exercises. Over time, they started reporting less pain and improved mobility. I’ll never forget the day they said, ‘I have no shoulder pain today.’ That moment was a powerful reminder of why I chose this path—to help people regain their quality of life.

On top of my academic and clinical work, I’ve been managing a running-focused social media page. It started as a way to hold myself accountable when I decided to train for a half marathon, but it’s grown into a platform for encouraging body-inclusive fitness and showing that runners come in all shapes and sizes. Balancing chiropractic school with content creation hasn’t been easy, but it’s taught me invaluable skills in time management, communication, and building authentic connections with people. It’s also reinforced my belief that movement, whether through running or chiropractic care, is transformative for both body and mind.

Looking back, every late night of studying, every challenging lab session, every mile run, and every patient success story has shaped me into the clinician and person I am today. I’m excited to bring this dedication and balance into my future practice.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Elly Salamanca, and I’m a chiropractic student, runner, and content creator. My journey into the chiropractic and fitness industries has been deeply personal and shaped by my passion for movement, health, and empowering others. I’m currently pursuing a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and a Master’s in Neuroscience at Parker University, and I plan to specialize in working with athletes and rehabilitation in my future practice.

How I Got Started
My interest in human movement began during my undergraduate studies in Sports Science at Washington State University. As someone who grew up powerlifting in high school, I’ve always appreciated the transformative power of strength training and fitness. Over time, I realized I wanted to help others experience the same joy and empowerment that comes from moving their bodies. Chiropractic care, with its holistic approach to health and movement, was the perfect fit.

A turning point in my personal life was signing up for my first half marathon in April 2023. I had always loved lifting but hated cardio—until I discovered running. It was humbling and empowering to push myself in ways I hadn’t before. I started a TikTok account to document my journey, which quickly grew into a community of followers inspired by my body-inclusive message. Through this platform, I share the highs and lows of running and advocate that anyone, regardless of shape or size, can be a runner.

What I Provide
In my future practice, I aim to combine chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation exercises, and patient education to help athletes and active individuals recover from injuries, optimize performance, and prevent future issues. Whether it’s a runner managing chronic pain or a powerlifter recovering from an injury, my goal is to empower patients with tools for sustainable, long-term health.

Through my social media channels, I provide a different kind of service: inspiration and education. I post about my running journey, bust stereotypes about what runners “should” look like, and encourage others to embrace movement in their lives. By sharing authentic content—sometimes even while running—I connect with my audience on a real and personal level.

What Sets Me Apart
What sets me apart is my dedication to making fitness and healthcare accessible and empowering for people of all abilities and body types. I combine my clinical expertise with a deep understanding of the emotional and psychological aspects of movement, thanks to my own experiences as an athlete and someone with PCOS. This perspective allows me to approach each client holistically, addressing not just physical symptoms but their overall well-being.

What I’m Most Proud Of
I’m most proud of the community I’ve built—both in person through internships and online through my running content. Seeing people get back to doing what they love, whether that’s playing with their kids or completing their first race, makes everything worth it. It’s the little victories—like a patient’s relief after their first adjustment or a follower telling me they started running because of my videos—that fuel my passion.

What I Want You to Know
If there’s one thing I hope people take away from my work, it’s that health and movement are for everyone. Whether I’m adjusting a spine, guiding a rehab session, or running my slowest mile yet, my mission is to inspire others to move with confidence and joy. Chiropractic care isn’t just about pain relief—it’s about helping you live your fullest, most active life. And running? It’s about proving that the only qualification you need is the willingness to lace up your shoes and start.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

During my first year of chiropractic school, I was juggling more than I ever had before—intense coursework, clinical training, and managing my running-focused social media page. On top of that, I was dealing with my personal struggles with PCOS, which made balancing energy, stress, and health even more challenging.

One particular week stands out. Finals were looming, and I was also preparing for a half marathon I had committed to months earlier. The combination of late-night studying, long training runs, and the pressure to stay consistent on social media felt overwhelming. I remember a moment when I was sitting at my desk surrounded by anatomy flashcards, my running shoes in the corner, wondering if I had taken on too much.

Instead of giving in to the doubt, I reminded myself why I was doing all this. I wanted to show people that it’s possible to pursue big goals, even when the odds feel stacked against you. So, I broke it all down into small, manageable steps. I created a schedule that gave me just enough time for a 20-minute run here and there, focused on studying one topic at a time, and let myself rest when I needed it.

That week, I not only made it through my exams but also completed one of my best training runs leading up to the race. And when I crossed the finish line of my half marathon weeks later, it was more than just a personal victory—it was proof of my resilience. It showed me that no matter how hard things feel in the moment, small, consistent efforts can add up to something incredible.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

Absolutely, I would choose the same path again—without hesitation. Chiropractic care and the study of human movement have become more than just a profession for me; they’re a calling that combines my love for helping others with my passion for health and fitness.

There’s something deeply fulfilling about empowering people to reclaim their mobility and improve their quality of life. I’ve seen patients walk into a clinic feeling hopeless and leave with a renewed sense of possibility after receiving care that truly addresses their needs. Moments like these reaffirm my decision every day.

That said, I think my journey into this field has been even more meaningful because of the detours and challenges along the way. For example, I never imagined that training for a half marathon and sharing my story on social media would become such an integral part of my life and career. But it’s taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, the power of community, and how movement can transform lives—not just physically but emotionally, too.

If I could go back, I’d still choose to specialize in working with athletes and rehabilitation. There’s a unique energy in helping someone return to the activities they love, whether it’s running their first mile, lifting heavy again, or simply playing with their kids without pain. It’s work that never feels like a grind because it’s rooted in purpose and passion.

So, yes, I’d choose this path again. And knowing what I know now, I’d embrace every twist and turn because each one has made me a stronger, more empathetic future clinician.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: ellysalamanca
• Other: Tiktok –> ellysallamanca | runner girl