September 2004

We are in a league of our own

by Dr. Greg Loman

Recently, I had the chance to enjoy oral surgery. While sitting in the dentist's waiting room, I happened to see a dental journal that was very similar to the publication you're reading now. Yet, it became obvious to me within a few minutes of reading that chiropractic is very different from the dental profession. Other than the obvious reasons, our profession has heart. In fact, I believe we stand out beyond all other health care professions.

Not long ago, I attended a mastermind event in Key Biscayne, Florida. Dr. Fab Mancini gathered a small group of chiropractors I would consider to be the future leaders in our profession. This gathering's sole purpose was masterminding to help advance our profession and save the planet.

Oprah's companion (and the business behind her empire), Stedman Graham, spoke to us for nearly four hours on Saturday. Half way through his lecture, he stopped to tell us that he was impressed with chiropractors. He explained that we were the most passionate professional group he had ever spoken to (remember, there were just 50 of us). By the time the weekend was over, we had left an impression on this very successful gentleman.

As chiropractors, we have to realize we have something special other professionals can touch. Chiropractic is imbued with the philosophy of life. We are driven by that small light at the end of the tunnel that says our profession can make a difference in the history of health care.

It was humbling to sit in the room with these powerful professionals. After 13 years of practicing chiropractic and attending literally hundreds of seminars, I had never experienced the humbleness I experienced at the Elite mastermind group. For those who read The Chiropractic Journal month in and month out, I'm sure you sometimes wonder whether the egos will implode the profession before we actually make a difference on this earth. I can assure you that we do have some very passionate young leaders ready to take the world by storm.

Many times success pushes human beings down the road of life, and before you know it, you've forgotten why you were placed here in the first place. I was pleasantly surprised to see that our seasoned, successful colleagues had not lost that human side that still fuels the reason we all go to work every day.

My hope is that all of my fellow chiropractors never lose what makes our profession different from the other health care professions: the heart to continue to help humanity and the determination to never stop participating in moving chiropractic forward.

For those who are struggling, remember that struggling is what has created the heart that has the profession where it is today. Never forget the chiropractors who went to jail and lost their families for the principle that no other profession has. Embrace the struggle and learn from it. If the struggle is overcoming your life, become part of a movement that is striving to help move chiropractic ahead. Attend seminars where your fellow DCs go. Don't fight the fight by yourself ‑‑ team up with a group.

This summer, Lance Armstrong won a sixth Tour de France. He would not have won it without a team. He had people around him who continued to support him through their efforts. Lance did not win it, the group won.

Make the commitment to step beyond your practice and support the movement by attending events, philosophy nights, and seminars. Remember, this is bigger than you so take the time to help chiropractic. We need your help. If you're struggling and believe you don't have the time, understand that is wrong thinking. By stepping out of your office and helping chiropractic you become helped.

Remember, our profession is in a league of its own. Be proud of being a chiropractor!

(Dr. Greg Loman, Dr. Ben Lerner and Dr. Rob Schiffman manage Teach The World About Chiropractic, a coaching, seminar, and product company and Body by God International. They have three of the highest‑volume clinics in the history of chiropractic. Dr. Lerner, author of the New York Times best‑selling book, "Body by God: The Owner's Manual For Maximized Living," was the chiropractor for the Olympics of 1996 and 2000.)