The Rooted DC- Reclaim Your Legitimacy

Dr. Alex explores why chiropractors often turn on each other—rooted in long-standing identity wounds, scarcity mindsets, and external skepticism. She connects personal stories (including a chaotic early-career job in Alaska) with current institutional stressors—school closures, accreditation shifts, and merger news—that threaten the profession. Drawing on her academic work in positive psychology, organizational change, and a qualitative study of women chiropractors, she argues we must move from reactivity to coherent, heart-centered action. She outlines practical steps for “unhooking,” fostering curiosity and compassion, and building a shared vision that can sustain chiropractic beyond crisis.

We learned the iceberg in chiropractic school as a way to picture the nervous system: symptoms above the surface, root cause below. What most of us were never told is that the model didn't start there. It started in organizational change theory, and it maps almost exactly onto why our practices keep circling back to the same problems no matter how many times we try to fix them.

In this solo episode, Dr. Alex traces that iceberg back to Otto Scharmer's Theory U and uses it to unpack three of her own practice pivots: the insurance contract...

A chiropractor I've never met posted on Facebook this week: she's done. Not looking for how to fall back in love with the profession — just how to leave it. Over two hundred comments later, it was clear she isn't alone. This episode is about what that post cracked open in me, and what I believe we actually have to do if we want our profession to stop losing good people to burnout.

What you'll hear in this episode:

How you price your practice is not a business decision. It's a worth decision.

Most chiropractors don't see it that way — and that's exactly the problem. We dress up our scarcity in generosity. We call it patient-centered. We call it accessible. But underneath the frustrations with insurance, fears around charging cash, big care plans or heavily discounted rates is programming our whole profession struggles with: I don't fully trust that what I offer is enough.

This week Dr. Alex shares what happened when she asked her patients a simple question — what could make this better? — and wh...

There's a chiropractor in a parking lot hut in Maui who told a second-year chiropractic student to get out. She wrote him off at the time. Twenty years later, she understands exactly what he meant.

This is the first episode of a new season — and a new focus. Dr. Alex is done talking around the elephant: chiropractors are carrying a legitimacy wound that has shaped how we build our practices, set our fees, design our intake processes, and decide what we're worth. And most of us don't even realize we're doing it.

What you'll hear in...

You passed the boards. You opened the practice. You adopted the “fake it till you make it” approach to practice everyone told you to do in school. You did everything right.

And still — there’s this voice that follows you everywhere. It says you’re not quite legitimate. You have to prove something. That you have to work twice as hard to be taken half as seriously. That you’re a third rate doctor who will never have a seat at the table. And the reality is you’re slowly losing your soul to a profession you love but feel...

In the concluding episode of the first season, Dr. Alex Swenson Ridley delves into the concept of the 'practice beneath the practice.' She reflects on her personal challenges of overcoming hustle culture and the associated anxiety, emphasizing the importance of aligning one's business practices with personal values for true fulfillment. Highlighting the transformation needed for personal and professional growth, she shares her journey of creating a sustainable practice that supports well-being and success without the traditional hustle mentality. The episode sets the stage for the next season’s focus on financial growth and overcoming limiting beliefs.

SH...

In this episode of the Rooted Health Practice Podcast, Dr. Alex Swenson Ridley explores the complex interplay between organizational legitimacy and identity within healthcare practices. She delves into how practitioners often face the dilemma of conforming to societal norms to appear legitimate while striving to maintain personal and organizational values. Highlighting her experiences as a chiropractor, Dr. Alex encourages practice owners to assess whether their business decisions stem from a desire for legitimacy or alignment with their values, underscoring the potential for burnout when these elements clash.

IIn this episode, Dr. Alex explores how your relationship with yourself, your team, and your patients directly impacts your energy, leadership, and sustainability as a practice owner.

What You’ll Learn:

Key Takeaway:

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Dr. Alex Swenson-Ridley delves into the often unacknowledged struggles faced by healthcare professionals who venture into entrepreneurship. This episode sheds light on the contradiction of seeking to help others while feeling constrained by the business models inherited from previous mentors. The discussion revolves around the concept of 'reinventing the wheel' in healthcare, promoting creativity and autonomy over conforming to outdated norms. Dr. Alex shares her personal journey of overcoming a lack of self-worth and the necessity of establishing clear boundaries to prevent burnout, ultimately advocating for a redefined approach to healthcare business leadership.

In this episode of the Rooted Health Practice Podcast, Dr. Alex Swenson Ridley explores the concept of self-worth and the challenges it presents in business ownership. She delves into the idea of the 'upper limit problem' from Gaye Hendricks' book 'The Big Leap,' discussing four fundamental fears that often inhibit our growth and success. These fears include feeling fundamentally flawed, being a burden to others, leaving others behind, and outshining others. Dr. Alex shares personal experiences, including a battle with illness, which reflects how these fears manifest as self-sabotage, hampering both personal and professional development.

Referenced...

In this episode of the Rooted Health Practice Podcast, Dr. Alex Swenson Ridley shares her compelling journey from an unexpected pregnancy and a tumultuous job in Alaska to opening her own chiropractic practice. Despite facing significant challenges, including a chaotic and traumatic work environment and a high-stress pregnancy, she persevered to build a successful business. This story underscores the importance of understanding the true driving force behind one's entrepreneurial pursuits, whether it's necessity or opportunity, and emphasizes the significance of aligning one's business with personal values to achieve sustained wellbeing and fulfillment.

Articles referenced in this episode:<...

In this episode, Dr. Alex Swenson Ridley delves into the complexities of leadership for healthcare entrepreneurs. Exploring insights from the book 'The Six Types of Working Genius,' she highlights the importance of aligning work roles with personal strengths to prevent burnout. Dr. Alex shares her personal journey of discovering her creative strengths, emphasizing the significance of understanding one's unique leadership style. By embracing personal strengths, entrepreneurs can lead practices more authentically and effectively. This episode offers thought-provoking perspectives on developing positive leadership and reshaping practice roles for genuine entrepreneurial success.

Resources from this episode:

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What happens when you do everything “right”—and still burn out?

In this first full episode of The Rooted Practice Podcast, Dr. Alex Swenson-Ridley introduces the core idea behind the show: the practice beneath the practice—the internal foundation that shapes how we lead, work, and sustain ourselves, often without being named or supported.

This episode explores why so many capable, committed practice owners and leaders find themselves exhausted despite external success. Why following the rules, applying the strategies, and doing what you were taught can still lead to burnout—not because you failed, but because th...

What happens when success no longer feels sustainable?

The Rooted Practice Podcast is a space for practice owners and purpose-driven leaders who are successful on the outside—but quietly exhausted, disconnected, or questioning the way they’ve been taught to lead.

In this short trailer episode, host Dr. Alex Swenson-Ridley introduces the core idea behind the show: the practice beneath the practice—the inner leadership, nervous system patterns, values, identity, and emotional dynamics that shape how we lead, work, and live.

This podcast explores inside-out leadership, practitioner wellbeing, burnout recovery, and building a sustai...

Hello everyone, and welcome back to the show! In this first episode of 2025, I shared my personal journey of overcoming burnout, a topic I've discussed extensively on this podcast. After celebrating my 40th birthday and spending quality time with my family, I felt it was important to revisit this subject, especially as I've recently reached the other side of burnout after a six-year struggle.

I outlined the five most impactful steps that helped me heal from burnout, hoping they can serve as a guide for anyone currently experiencing it. Here are the key takeaways:

In this episode, we welcome Catherine Brooks, a professor emeritus from the University of Fairbanks, Alaska, and author of the new book "Sirens." Dr. Alex and Catherine discuss her journey of writing the book, reflecting on how it has served as a healing process and a way to follow her heart. Catherine shares insights about the challenges of finding time to write and the importance of carving out space for creativity. This heartfelt conversation delves into the significance of living authentically and the transformative power of storytelling. Join us to explore Catherine's experiences and the inspiration behind her latest...

In this episode of the podcast, host Dr. Alex welcomes Sanja Ralevic, a mental resilience mentor and advocate for emotional intelligence and resilience in the corporate world. Sonja shares her unique perspective on navigating the complexities of business while emphasizing the importance of emotional self-regulation and intelligent personal energy management for sustainable success. They discuss the challenges of burnout, the need for a shift in traditional leadership styles, and how positive organizational development can foster a more inclusive and effective approach to leadership. Tune in to gain valuable insights that can help you thrive in today's fast-paced business landscape.<...

In this episode, we reflect on the theme of gratitude following Thanksgiving in the U.S. Dr. Alex shares personal insights about the varying perspectives on gratitude, particularly from her step-sons aged 19 to 22, who seem to approach the concept with skepticism. She emphasizes the tendency for gratitude to become superficial, often reduced to mere phrases without genuine emotional connection. Drawing from her studies in a master's program in positive psychology, she highlights the significance of deeper emotional experiences, with a focus on self-compassion and its physiological benefits. Join us as we explore the true essence of gratitude and its...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of welcoming my dear friend Paulina Równy, a burnout coach originally from Poland, now living in Edinburgh. We shared our personal journeys of healing and self-discovery, particularly focusing on the theme of rewriting our stories of worthiness.

Paulina opened up about her experience with burnout in the corporate world and how she took a year off to reflect and develop her practice. During this time, she faced significant identity challenges, which led to our collaboration on a program called "Rooted in Worth." This program aims to help individuals navigate t...

In this episode, I share some exciting personal updates and invite you to reflect on your own life changes. After starting a master's program in positive psychology and reactivating my chiropractic license, I’m thrilled to return to practice part-time. This journey has been transformative, especially after experiencing burnout in my previous decade of practice.

As I navigate these changes, I’ve decided to adjust the podcast's release schedule. Starting in November, I will be releasing two episodes a month instead of weekly. This shift allows me to focus on the quality of content I provide, ensuring that...

In this episode, Dr. Alex delves into her recent journey of starting a master's program in positive psychology, a field she has been passionate about for years. She shares insights from her studies, particularly focusing on the significance of positive emotions such as love, gratitude, and joy, and their impact on our overall well-being. Dr. Alex highlights the fascinating connection between the heart and emotions, explaining how the heart operates independently of the brain and has its own "heart brain."

She challenges listeners to start to explore their own relationship to their emotions with three simple exercises...

In this episode, we welcome Lou O'Connell, a HeartMath practitioner and author, who shares her profound journey with adult ADHD and the impact of bereavement on her life. Lou opens up about her childhood experiences, including the loss of her brother at a young age and the passing of her mother when she was just 13. She also discusses the heart-wrenching loss of a partner due to an undiagnosed heart condition while serving in the British army. Through her story, Lou emphasizes the importance of being heart-centered and heart-focused, highlighting how these experiences have shaped her path towards healing and...

In this episode, Dr. Alex explores the transformative power of heart-focused living and the concept of coherence — the alignment of the heart, head, and nervous system. She discusses how most people operate under constant stress and emphasizes the importance of cultivating renewing emotions such as gratitude, love, compassion, joy, and appreciation to achieve coherence. Dr. Alex shares her personal journey over the last 220 days, during which she has intentionally worked on attaining coherence using a biofeedback device. She reflects on how this practice has influenced her work, and brought her back towards chiropractic after retiring three years ago. It al...

In this episode of "Live and Lead with Heart," Dr. Alex invites listeners on a personal journey of healing and vulnerability. She shares insights from her recent experiences, highlighting the importance of being open to receiving feedback, praise, and criticism. Despite hosting over 260 episodes and connecting with a global audience, Dr. Alex reflects on her struggles with truly engaging with listeners and understanding their perspectives. This episode encourages self-discovery and growth, as Dr. Alex emphasizes the significance of building a deeper connection with both oneself and the audience. Tune in for an authentic conversation about breaking down barriers and...

In this episode, host Dr. Alex welcomes Valerie Hope, an Art Math Certified coach and TEDx speaker, to the show. They dive into the journey of living and leading from the heart, exploring how Valerie's upbringing in a practical, logic-driven family influenced her initial perception of emotions. Valerie shares insights on the evolution of her understanding of emotional intelligence in the corporate world, discussing how feelings can transition from being seen as liabilities to valuable assets. Join Alexandra and Valerie for an inspiring conversation about the importance of heart-centered leadership and the transformative power of embracing our emotions.

In this episode, Alex welcomes Diane Allen, an international speaker, violinist, and author with expertise in the flow state. Diane shares her insights on achieving peak performance through her three-step flow strategy system, designed to help individuals tap into their genius and find joy in their work. The conversation dives into their shared experiences with the violin, exploring how both Alex and Diane have navigated their musical journeys, including the challenges of traditional training and the liberation found in improvisation. Listeners can expect an engaging discussion about the importance of embracing one's unique talents and the transformative power of...

In this episode, Dr. Alex explores the importance of bodily awareness and emotional recognition. She reflects on her personal journey with anxiety, revealing how she has become more attuned to the physical sensations associated with it, such as tight shoulders and chest discomfort. Dr. Alex discusses the role of tools like the Oura ring in monitoring stress levels and emphasizes the need for self-check-ins to understand and manage emotions better. The episode encourages listeners to consider their own body awareness and offers insights into developing a deeper connection with their emotions.

Time Stamps:

00:00:35 - Question...

Tune in to this episode where host Alex delves into the power of intuition with HeartMath practitioner, Andrea Bezak-White. Together, they explore the journey of listening to one's inner voice amidst the chaos of everyday life. Discover how Andrea's experiences since 2016 have shaped her connection to intuition and learn valuable insights on following your heart's calling. Join the conversation on embracing intuition and letting go of control in this insightful episode.

Timestamps:

[00:03:25] Journey towards listening to intuition.

[00:06:25] Following intuition and healing.

[00:08:40] Trusting and following intuition.

[00:15:32] Gut instinct vs. intuition.<...

In this episode, I delve into the concept of leadership and what it truly means to be a leader. This topic was inspired by a recent conversation with a client who was grappling with the traditional, often patriarchal, notions of leadership. Many of us have a stereotypical image of a leader as an assertive, authoritative figure, often embodied by a white male CEO in a power suit. This can make those of us who don't fit that mold feel inadequate or pressured to be someone we're not.

I shared personal stories to illustrate the difference between forcing...

In this episode, I delve into the importance of tuning into our emotions and connecting with our hearts. I share my personal journey of realizing how disconnected I was from my feelings and how this disconnection manifested as anxiety and physical symptoms like heartburn. I discuss my recent commitment to a 30-day challenge inspired by HeartMath research, where I spend 30 minutes each day focusing on my emotional landscape.

Throughout the episode, I reflect on my childhood experiences that led me to intellectualize rather than feel my emotions. I talk about the various coping mechanisms I developed, such...

Today's episode delves into the concept of emotional vanity, exploring how it relates to our sense of self and true essence. Dr. Alex discusses the idea of over-identity with our perceived worth and the impact of societal influences on our self-perception. By connecting to the heart, we can cut through these false identities. The focus shifts to desire vanity, a form of emotional vanity that affects how we seek approval and communicate. This thought-provoking discussion prompts deep introspection and personal growth.

00:00:23 - Understanding Emotional Vanity

00:00:55 - The Core Self vs. Shell Identities

00:01:17...

Exploring the transition from physical to emotional healing, hosts Alex and guest Catalina Milan share their journeys of moving from traditional massage therapy to inner world work focused on the heart. Catalina emphasizes the importance of somatic healing and recognizing emotional pain in the body, while both guests highlight the power of working with the mind and heart. Join the conversation on leading and living from the heart in this insightful episode.

Timestamps:

[00:03:16] HeartMath for personal resilience.

[00:06:27] Inner work and self-reliance.

[00:08:38] Learning to slow down.

[00:12:23] Physical manifestations of emotional...

Exploring the theme of feeling like an imposter and not truly believing in oneself, this episode delves into the disconnect between how we present ourselves to the world and how we feel internally. Dr. Alex shares a personal epiphany about never feeling "enough" and the impact it has had on her achievements. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on what truly drives them and consider the role of self-belief in their accomplishments.

00:00:30 - Feeling Like an Imposter

00:01:02 - Epiphany on Self-Worth

00:01:22 - Achievements Driven by Lack

00:02:03 - Cyclical Self-Doubt

00:02:35...

In this episode of Live and Lead with Heart, Dr. Alex delves into the impactful book "The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks. We explore the concept of an upper limit problem and how our subconscious minds can hinder us from breaking through to our full potential. Dr. Alex shares insights on integrating heart-centered approaches to personal growth and highlights the book's discussion on illness or accidents as a pattern to pay attention to. Tune in to learn how to overcome self-imposed limits and embrace transformative change.

00:00:23 - The Concept of Upper Limit Problem

00:00:54 - Integrating...

In this episode, Dr. Alex shares a personal story about encountering a herd of caribou on a challenging road trip, highlighting the balance between allowing things to happen naturally versus trying to force outcomes. The narrative prompts reflection on areas in life where you may be pushing too hard instead of going with the flow.

00:00:00 - Introduction to Allowing vs. Forcing

00:00:12 - Personal Shift and Awareness

00:00:23 - Connecting with the Heart

00:00:34 - Story: 4th of July in Eagle, Alaska

00:01:37 - Reflection on Forcing Outcomes

00:01:57 - Inner Work...

We all have moments of feeling stuck. Today we're unpacking what it looks like to approach getting unstuck from the heart instead of your head.

Dr. Alex shares her recent journey and realizations with this process when following the suggestions of one of her own coaches before realizing adding heart added a lot more depth and a faster, deeper shift in the stuckness than just thinking through it.

Connect with Dr. Alex:

This week we're tuning into those moments in life when our gut/heart/intuition has spoken to us, but we've for some reason or another ignored it.

Dr. Alex shares one of her earliest experiences of this from her career in a story about her first and only boss post chiropractic school that involves, guns, jail time and a hit man.

While entertaining, this short episode is also an invitation to you to look for your own gut reactions and instinct calls in your history and start to explore what had you not trust them...

As we celebrate  our 250th episode we are exploring the theme of personal growth journeys. Sometimes in the process of our next level we outgrow certain aspects of our lives and have to clear space for change. 

With the milestone of the 250th episode, I have reached one of those pinnacles where it is time to leave my role of podcast host behind and instead lean into the mediums of writing and becoming a guest rather than a host. It is with a lot of gratitude, a little sadness and a whole lot of excitement that I sh...

On this episode, Dr. Alex is joined by Lata Hamilton, a change leadership and confidence expert from Australia. Lotta shares her journey of transitioning from marketing to organizational change management, tripling her salary to nearly $200,000 in just three years. She discusses her work on global cultural transformations, operating model changes, and digital transformations that are reshaping the future of work. Tune in to learn more about Lotta's inspirational approach to leading successful change and how she is making a significant impact on how we work and approach life.

[00:06:02] Shifting mindset in career choices.