I’m proud to say that I married my hometown sweetheart, Tammy Bartlett. We both grew up in Campbell River, BC. I completed my undergraduate program in Kinesiology and Human Biomechanics at Simon Fraser University (SFU), where I played for the SFU varsity soccer team. Tammy and I then moved south to San Jose, California, where I pursued a doctorate in Chiropractic.
After I graduated from chiropractic college in 2002 (Cum Laude), our passion for health & fitness was strong, and we decided to open three successful fitness centres and a health food store in the Bay Area of California. We joined forces with our good friends and business partners, Drs. Craig and Marissa Bentham.
Reminiscing, outside of our business accomplishments, one of my fondest memories in California was proposing on the field to Tammy (who was 49ers cheerleader), at the third quarter of the San Francisco 49ers versus Seattle Seahawks game.
Even with all the excitement and opportunities that California had to offer us, we missed Vancouver Island. We missed our families. We missed our roots. So, in 2005, we decided to sell everything. We packed up our belongings and moved back to the Vancouver Island to start a family.
Fast-forward, we are now a party of five, plus two dogs, one cat, 30 chickens, and 3 ducks.
What do I believe in?
I believe we need to take responsibility for our own health. “Health is a matter of choice, not a mystery of chance.”-Aristotle. I also believe that chiropractic has much to offer, but with a kinesiology background, and the experience of co-owning three fitness centres, I feel active rehabilitation, in conjunction with treatment, is a must.
Over the past 20 years, I have established one simple rule, one mantra, that has helped shape my decision-making and guide me as a practitioner. Moreover, with every interaction I have with a patient, decision I need to make, or recommendation I need to give, I ask myself - What would I want/need/hope for, if I was in their shoes?
This is what I would want, for myself, if I were the patient:
For the doctor to listen first, talk second.
A thorough examination, thorough observation, and thorough testing.
I would like to understand my problem.
I would like to take an active role in my care.
I would appreciate a clinic that strives for innovation.