Living our true nature and purpose can bring fulfilment, creativity, compassion, freedom, joy, happiness, a depth of understanding, prosperity, love and so much more. My career in McTimoney Chiropractic has brought me way beyond all of this.
My first long and physical journey was 15 March 1975, 44 years ago that my family and I travelled from Nairobi, Kenya to London, UK, approximately 4185 air miles. I remember it like it was only yesterday. We arrived from hot balmy weather to a snowy landscape and freezing cold weather. Everything was a new experience.
“You were born to make a difference, to contribute and to share your gifts with the world.” – Darren Hardy
It was many years after that my journey or call to Chiropractic came. It began when I was 13 in biology lessons where I was constantly being admonished for staring at the skeleton that was standing proudly at the front of the class. Instead I should have been paying attention to “osmosis” and whatever else was being taught at the time but I was constantly distracted by the skeleton; so much so that I attended detentions as a result of it. Little did I know at the time that the skeleton was going to lead me to being a McTimoney Chiropractor 8 years later when I graduated at the age of 21.
My mind was made up at 14; I was definitely going to be a a Chiropractor as that’s all I could think of being in relation to working with the skeleton which I was still fascinated by. My careers teacher advised me against it which made me more determined to do it. Of course I now realise that it was a calling of some sort, a vocation even. It was extremely fortuitous that my aunt had started having McTimoney Chiropractic sessions at the time which led me to explore the idea further by writing to the college in Oxford.
I began my studies at 18, the youngest admission for McTimoney at the time. In truth I found Chiropractic College a challenge. My peers were “mature” and some could easily have been my parents; at times I found connecting with them difficult, I mean what does an 18 year old have in common with students in their 40’s and 50’s? However, it was just that – a challenge and one that I preserved with until I graduated at 21.
Have no fear, you will find your way. It’s in your bones; it’s in your soul.”
Mark Z Danielewski
The journey has been bumpy at times but never dull. In my 30 years I have established clinics in Birmingham, Coventry, Barnes, and West London to include Kensington, South Kensington, Notting Hill Gate, Hampstead and Hertfordshire. I was travelling regularly to Bahrain, and have also worked in Europe, Singapore and in a children’s home in Nepal, which has undoubtedly been one of my most fulfilling roles to date. My greatest personal achievement is having raised the home, House with Heart, ( www.housewithheart.org) over £35000. I have had 4 of my patients visit and volunteer there.
I have had media coverage on Cable TV and radio too and I’ve been featured in health and women’s magazines, newspapers and been a consultant and contributor to 2 books. If I actually had a CV all of this may look impressive on it but it doesn’t really impress me these days!
Instead what inspires me is wanting to serve and be the best that I can be, to continually grow and learn. What has sustained me through my professional lows (and there have been a few) over the last 30 years is having the potential to make a difference to countless lives that I have come in contact with. Clients who come in horrendous pain and total despair often leave sessions more mobile, in more comfort and with renewed hope that they will improve and fully recover. It is a privilege to be a part of their journey. I’ve never claimed to cure anyone but I do try to give them hope and a way forward even if the conversation may be that I’m not able to help them.
My recent Fellowship from my Association and Advisory Council Member to House with Heart mean more to mean than all the write ups and media coverage have ever done. I would not have achieved either if it wasn’t for the trust that my clients have placed in me and my work. This trust has given me the confidence to take McTimoney to new horizons.
Am I living the life I dreamed about? Yes I am!!! Is my journey over? Hell No!!
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
Gandhi
There’s no doubt that every day is a gift, and the gift is an opportunity to live, to learn, to be kind and compassionate, to serve and to grow; that for me is living my true nature.