I recently had the opportunity to discuss my career and philosophy on a Podcast, which prompted me to reflect on the last two decades since founding Align Health Centre. It has been an incredible journey, shaped not just by education, but by my life experiences as a competitive athlete, a cancer survivor, and a mother.
My practice, and the multidisciplinary Health Centre it has become, is built on a few core principles that I want to share with you.
The Power of Home and Goodwill
When I first started my practice 20 years ago, I briefly looked elsewhere, thinking bigger cities held better opportunities. What I quickly realised was the immense, untapped value of coming home to Newmarket.
The support I received from the community—my former coaches, teachers, and family contacts—was immediate and overwhelming. They provided the foundation for my business. This taught me a profound lesson: never overlook the goodwill and network you’ve already built. It is a true honour to run a business in a community that is so invested in seeing its neighbours thrive.
Movement is Life: My Core Philosophy
My career path was forged on the sports field. As a former competitive figure skater and university soccer captain, I was constantly seeking solutions for injury that didn’t just involve rest and medication. This quest led me to chiropractic—a profession focused on the body’s ability to move and heal itself.
While I began with athletes, my philosophy has broadened: Movement is life.
- It’s not just about recovering from an injury; it’s about enhancement.
- It’s not just for the weekend warrior; it’s for the student studying for exams, the parent juggling kids, and the professional at their desk.
At Align Health Centre, our focus is always on improving performance in all aspects of life—whether that’s physical mobility, cognitive function (like memory retention), or stress management.
The Necessity of the Detour
Looking back, I truly believe my biggest setback became my greatest advantage. Not getting into my first-choice school felt devastating, but it pushed me to pursue my education at a focused, rigorous college far from home.
That experience taught me the true meaning of perseverance and commitment. I was never the smartest student, but I worked my butt off for every single achievement. Adversity, whether in school or later during my cancer journey, forces you to look back and appreciate the strength you found to overcome it.
The only way to truly lose is to quit. I remain committed to constantly setting new goals and persevering until they are achieved.
Stay Aligned: The Anti-Competition Mindset
For every professional, competition is a reality. My advice has always been simple: Focus on yourself, not your competition.
In business, you don’t need to tear down other buildings to build your best one. You simply need to stay in your own lane of genius. My goal at Align Health Centre is to be authentic to what we offer and to execute it exceptionally well.
That’s where the name Align comes from:
- Aligning the body: Chiropractic care for movement and function.
- Aligning the services: Offering collaborative care under one roof.
- Aligning the person: Helping you live a more centered, balanced, and healthy life.
When you are truly aligned with your purpose, the right people—and patients—will find you.
The Mother and the Practice
My daughter and my practice, Align Health Centre, are truly my two children. While I had to dedicate significant time to the clinic during its early years, I value the choice I made to transition to a more sustainable model as she grew.
This shift allowed me to be present for her pre-teen and teen years, attending every important event. This practice of prioritising family also resonates deeply with our community, giving them comfort in bringing their own families to our Health Centre for care. We genuinely practice what we preach: a high value on health, balance, and family.
In summary, if there is one thing I want you to take away, it is this:
Movement is life.
Keep moving, keep persevering, and keep finding your Alignment.
