Wow….well what an amazing introduction!!! Thank you for the invitation to join Velo Angels Blog Mai… No pressure… with the CNN comment. Ha Ha ;-)
Well, I think I should start by introducing myself and tell you all how I came into my love of chiropractic healthcare and affection for cycling.
I attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine. I continued my education at Cleveland Chiropractic College of Los Angeles in California, receiving my doctorate. I am also certified by the California Healing Arts College for Massage Therapy and continue to further my knowledge in pursuit of a license in acupuncture from Emperor’s College in Santa Monica.
My interest in the healing arts began at a very young age, when I volunteered in the physical therapy department at the hospital where my mother worked as a nurse. As a high school athlete, I played many sports, including soccer and basketball. Sustaining a knee injury in high school and three subsequent knee injuries followed by 3 different surgeries, my own physical therapy and rehabilitation led me to major in sports medicine.
A close friend of mine in College introduced me to chiropractic at Life Chiropractic College in Atlanta, Georgia. I fell in love with chiropractic immediately. It allowed me to combine lots of my interests and talents for helping people with a nontraditional healthcare approach.
After receiving my Doctorate of Chiropractic in Los Angeles, I immediately began my own practice and currently am the sole proprietor of Chiropractic West in Santa Monica, California. I am fortunate enough to have a job that I love, and help people better their health at the same time.
My love for cycling has evolved over time. Although, it really started with my purple bike complete with the flowered polka dotted banana seat at age 6! It more recently became a passion with the start of the Muddy Buddy event about 5 years ago. My interest in cycling has grown since to involve less mud and more asphalt. After my mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, I decided to get involved with the 2 Day MS charity ride (an annual event for me no matter what my training has been leading up to it). This is where my love of road cycling started. It’s really a love/hate relationship. The athlete inside of me can attest to that. As you well know, training on the bike never comes quickly and involves long grueling rides! Some days can be better than others. Over the last few years I have been able to get involved with many other charity rides including the 7 Day California AIDS LifeCycle - definitely easier to be a chiropractic volunteer than ride for 7 days - I have done BOTH! Most recently, and certainly the most challenging was riding the last 8 stages of the Tour de France in 2009. What a humbling experience.
Me, cresting the top of what Lance Armstrong describes in "Comeback 2.0" as, "...Col de Romme - which was the steepest, nastiest climb of the Tour" I was excited! Can ya tell? Photo Credit: Andrew Jarvis
I hope over the course of this blog, I will be able to add some helpful health and exercise tips related to cycling. Maybe then Mai won’t strip my title… of being her Sanjay Gupta!!!! Like I said, no pressure.
