Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shanele Lundahl. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Shanele, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

After being let go from what I had considered my “dream job”, I felt like I had hit rock bottom. In school, it was my dream to work with athletes. I grew up being an athlete from a young age, eventually focusing most of my competitive years on soccer. Being an athlete taught me so much over the years and gave me some of the best of friends, there was no way I wanted to walk away from that world completely. This love for athletics drove me to complete a Master’s in Sports Science and Rehab concurrently with my Doctorates in Chiropractic.

I always knew that I wanted to open up my own practice, but after completing my two post-graduate degrees I still felt like I would like to find a job in which I could find a mentor-ship in my new career field. This proved to be quite difficult seeing as I was new to Florida and many potential employers were asking for quite a lot, with very little pay. Eventually I decided that it was better to be looking for a job, while I had a job. So I accepted an offer, which quickly became obvious to me that my employer had no plans of mentoring me but rather overwork and shame into thinking I was constantly doing something wrong.

Thankfully, I quit that job after only a few months because I decided that my own mental health was more important than this job. Back at the job hunt again, I found another job that seemed promising. The new employer seemed like he had the game figured out and was going to provide me a great opportunities & contacts in the athletic realm as well. Yet again though, my employer let me down. There was no learning opportunities, just shame and overworking for little pay. After a year into this job, I really began to feel this deep pit of despair inside of me. “Is this really all this is about? Do people really only care about money? Will I ever be/do enough for my employer? Will I ever love my profession again?”

Just when I was questioning everything, I was given an opportunity to work with a group of individuals that I had always had immense respect for. I was ecstatic. Before I knew it I was quitting my job and helping this new company to Florida move in and get setup for their new branch location. I even agreed to no pay for three months leading up to the opening, because I wanted this position so badly. I went to team meetings and educational meetings, to learn their technique and ways. Then within a month of their grand opening, I was randomly fired one morning with no warning. I remember thinking, “I don’t think I’ve ever felt this low in my life.”

Not only was I so embarrassed about being fired, I had absolutely no clue as to why I was let go. Yet, I spent weeks blaming and hating myself, because of course it must have been my fault. I’d say I fell into a depression after this, thinking that I possibly had worked and dreamed my entire life about a career that I would never succeed in. After allowing myself the time I needed to heal, I once again started applying for jobs. Even though I was ready to work again, I absolutely did not have the confidence to start my own business. Because in my mind, I had labeled myself as a failure.

I landed a job working for a doctor who was so much more laid back and simply a kind person, which I believe allowed me time to step back into my power. There was no shaming or overworking. I actually enjoyed speaking and being around this new boss, which turned out to be the breathe of fresh air I needed. During this time I began to think about moving forward with my career. I remember having a particularly defining conversation I had a with an alumni friend from grad school about how she was offering only house calls and loving her new practice style. After asking more questions and getting the final push from my friend, I decided I was going to try it out.

Looking back, I cant believe what I have built from that point. I transitioned from wanting to work solely with athletes, to being an advocate & provider for great women’s healthcare, especially the prenatal & postpartum periods. This work feels magical and fills me up everyday with the connections & people I meet. I could’ve never have dreamed up a better practice for myself as I love every aspect of it. I’m so glad that I realized when I hit “rock bottom” that I had just landed on a great foundation that I had already built for myself, and that I just needed to trust myself & the process a little more.

Shanele, 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?

I was born and raised in Laramie, Wyoming. I grew up in a unique background being the oldest sibling of 10. I have one biological brother and 8 adopted siblings. We are located all across the country now.

I went to Minnesota State University Moorhead where I competed in D2 collegiate level soccer. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Human Biology.

I went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude with both her Doctorate in Chiropractic and Masters in Sports Science and Rehab from Logan University in St. Louis, MO.

My appointments are one hour long and include; some variation of soft tissue (trigger point release, myofascial release, cupping and/or vibration therapy), therapeutic stretching, chiropractic adjustment, prescribed exercises + mobility for client to do at home and overall education on what’s going on.

What sets me apart – I specialize in women’s healthcare, particularly prenatal + postpartum care. I work closely with doulas, acupuncturists, pelvic floor physical therapists, OBGYNs + Midwifes and trainers in order to make a women’s healthcare during this time as complete as possible. I am able to not only provide great symptom control during and after pregnancy, but I also help keep or re-establish stability in critical areas of the spine for the women during this time. Helping a women’s body to feel good and heal properly after such a dramatic change to the body in just one year. I work with women all the way up to birth and immediately afterwards.

I personally care a lot about treating the full person, body and mind. While I only treat the body, I am a huge advocate for bringing things into your life that help slow you down, breathe better and complete the stress cycle that many of us tend to stay stuck in. I recommend meditation, yoga and breathwork to everyone as I have found so much more peace after bringing these aspects into my own life. Plus, the body remembers the stress and holds onto it in your musculoskeletal systems. Which is why it is important to address both aspects.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Hands down my authenticity.

When I first came into this profession, everybody kept telling me who I needed to be and how I needed to act. It always felt so wrong and uncomfortable to me. I never really felt like I could “sell myself”.

It wasn’t until I stopped trying to be everything that everyone else wanted me to be and just started being myself that I started to gain a real following / clientele. Sure, I may not be for everyone but I think that people truly crave authenticity. People are exhausted from constantly being marketed or sold something. I figured, people probably want to get to know someone and trust them, before they allow them to touch and work on their body.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Allowing room for errors, emotions and a safe space for people. Humans make mistakes, we are definitely not emotionless and we do not respond well to fear based models of leadership.

Having a leader that you fear, will never allow someone the space needed to grow and be innovative. One small mistake could cause fear of scolding from manager / boss, means that the teammate hides their mistakes or doesn’t come to you for help in fear of the reaction that will occur.

Not allowing room for teammates to have emotions is just delusional. Teammates have lives outside of work and they do affect them from time to time. Instead of shaming emotions, giving them space to be expressed appropriately can actually lead to better communication and less outbursts.

High morale comes from allowing space for ebbing and flowing. Being realistic to what standards and goals you are setting for yourself and/or your team. That there will always be low and high times, which are completely out of your control. Being clear on what your expectations are for others. Lacking in proper communication is how you set yourself and others to build resentment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.myomedicaldc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myo_medicaldc/

Image Credits
Jacqueline Romano https://www.jacquelineromano.com/