In this podcast episode, Dr. Stewart, owner of Elite Health Centers, shares his journey into chiropractic care and entrepreneurship. 

He discusses the importance of timing when starting a business, how balancing a side job helped him grow his practice, and the value of consistency in achieving success. 

Dr. Stewart also breaks down the real benefits of chiropractic adjustments, emphasizing restoring motion over spine alignment. 

His insights on work-life balance, hydration, and learning from failure offer practical lessons for anyone looking to improve their health or start a business.

Listen to the episode

Starting a business is like planting a seed. It takes time, patience, and consistent effort to nurture it into something sustainable and successful. Dr. Stewart, the owner of Elite Health Centers, embodies this mindset. His journey into chiropractic care and entrepreneurship is a testament to the importance of timing, hard work, and learning from both success and failure. In a recent podcast, we dove into Dr. Stewart’s story—from how he discovered chiropractic care, to what really happens during an adjustment, and how he manages to balance his business, family, and personal life.

Here’s what you can take away from our conversation with Dr. Stewart:

Timing is Everything in Business

We all know someone who’s passionate about something—whether it’s health, fitness, or starting their own business. But passion is only part of the equation. Dr. Stewart knows this better than most. After finishing chiropractic school, he was eager to jump into entrepreneurship, but rushing into his first venture, a fitness company, taught him a valuable lesson about timing.

“You can have passion for something, and you can have the drive to do it, but you also have to know when it’s the right time to jump in.” – Dr. Stewart

When Dr. Stewart tried to launch his fitness company, he invested money he didn’t have into marketing and tried to grow too fast, tackling too many things at once—apparel, supplements, and more. It didn’t take long before things unraveled, and he realized that just because you have the vision doesn’t mean you’re ready to execute it.

This lesson is one that any aspiring entrepreneur should take to heart. Dr. Stewart’s failed first business showed him that sometimes, the best thing you can do is wait until the time is right—when you’re prepared mentally, financially, and strategically. Timing, combined with passion, is what leads to long-term success.

Balancing a Job While Building a Business

Many people believe that when you start a business, you have to quit your day job and throw yourself into your new venture. But Dr. Stewart’s story shows that there’s more than one way to make it work. While building Elite Health Centers, Dr. Stewart didn’t quit his day job immediately. Instead, he worked for another chiropractor during the day, supporting his family financially while building his own clinic at night.

“I worked for someone else… while in the evenings, I would hop over and go see patients at night.” – Dr. Stewart

Balancing two jobs wasn’t easy, but it gave Dr. Stewart the safety net he needed to grow his business without feeling the pressure of financial instability. He advises other entrepreneurs to consider a similar approach if possible—don’t feel like you have to go all-in from day one. Instead, treat your business as a side hustle until you’re confident you can fully commit.

Chiropractic Adjustments: What Really Happens?

One of the biggest misconceptions about chiropractic care is that it’s all about “aligning the spine.” Dr. Stewart set the record straight during our conversation. He explained that while alignment is part of it, chiropractic care is really about restoring motion in the body.

“We’re looking for fixations… ones that aren’t moving, and we’re trying to get motion in there. A lot of the pain relief comes from restoring motion.” – Dr. Stewart

People often associate chiropractic care with that satisfying “pop” sound during an adjustment, but Dr. Stewart explains that this sound, called a cavitation, is simply gas escaping from the fluid within your joints. The sound isn’t the goal—it’s the movement that matters. Even without the pop, a successful adjustment can restore motion to the body and relieve pain.

This nuanced understanding of chiropractic care highlights the importance of maintaining mobility in the body—something Dr. Stewart emphasized repeatedly throughout the podcast.

Movement is Medicine: Why Staying Active Matters

Have you ever noticed that after a day of sitting around—whether it’s at your desk or on the couch—you feel stiff and sore? Dr. Stewart says that’s because, for most people, pain doesn’t come from moving too much; it comes from not moving enough.

“More pain comes from people not moving enough rather than moving too much.” – Dr. Stewart

This insight is especially important in today’s world, where many of us sit at desks for hours on end or spend long periods driving. Even for people who go to the gym regularly, that’s only a small part of your day. The rest of the time, your body might be in one position for too long, which can lead to stiffness, discomfort, and eventually, pain.

The solution? Move more, even if it’s just taking short breaks throughout the day to walk around or stretch. Dr. Stewart suggests making movement a regular part of your routine—whether you’re at the office or at home.

The Best Posture is the Next One

People are constantly asking Dr. Stewart about posture—what’s the best way to sit or stand to avoid pain? His answer is simple but powerful: the best posture is the next one.

“People always ask me what is the best posture? And there’s a saying: the best posture is the next one. We need to constantly be in movement.” – Dr. Stewart

Staying in one position for too long—no matter how “good” your posture is—can cause strain on your body. Dr. Stewart recommends shifting your posture throughout the day, standing up, moving around, and not letting your body get locked into one position. The key to avoiding discomfort isn’t about finding the perfect position—it’s about staying mobile.

Hydration and Electrolytes: A Surprising Key to Health

We all know we should drink more water, but staying hydrated is more than just chugging down a few glasses of H2O. Dr. Stewart stressed the importance of electrolytes, particularly sodium, in maintaining proper hydration.

“Staying hydrated is big for sure. Even if you’re drinking enough water, a lot of times people don’t realize how much sodium they need or electrolytes.” – Dr. Stewart

Without the right balance of electrolytes, especially sodium, your body can’t properly absorb water, meaning you could be drinking a lot and still feeling dehydrated. Dr. Stewart suggests adding sea salt or electrolyte supplements to your water to help your body retain hydration and improve overall performance.

This is particularly important for people who are active, as electrolytes are essential for muscle function, energy levels, and recovery. If you’re feeling sluggish or noticing muscle cramps, it could be a sign that your body needs more than just water—it needs the right balance of minerals, too.

The Compound Effect: Small Steps, Big Impact

One of Dr. Stewart’s favorite books is The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy, and it’s easy to see why. The idea behind the book is simple but profound: small, consistent actions over time lead to big results. This principle has been a driving force in Dr. Stewart’s life, both in building his business and in his personal health.

“It’s repetition over time that brings about success, whether that’s in health, fitness, or finance.” – Dr. Stewart

This idea applies to all areas of life. Whether you’re trying to build a business, get in shape, or improve your finances, it’s the small, daily actions that ultimately lead to long-term success. It’s not about making one huge change; it’s about staying consistent, even when progress feels slow.

Learning from Failure: The Power of Failing Forward

No one likes to fail, but for Dr. Stewart, failure has been one of his greatest teachers. His first business, a fitness company, didn’t succeed financially, but it gave him invaluable lessons in branding, marketing, and entrepreneurship.

“There are so many things that I learned from having that fitness business… I would have never had that experience if I didn’t fail.” – Dr. Stewart

Failure is often seen as the end of the road, but Dr. Stewart’s story proves that it’s just another step on the path to success. Each failure brings with it important lessons that can be applied to your next venture. The key is to learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.

Systems Make or Break a Business

If there’s one thing Dr. Stewart learned from working in multiple clinics before starting his own, it’s the importance of having systems in place. Without the right systems, a business may work initially, but as it grows, those systems—or lack of them—can cause things to fall apart.

“If you start out with terrible systems, it’s impossible to scale as you grow.” – Dr. Stewart

Whether it’s scheduling, client management, or daily operations, systems are what allow a business to run smoothly and grow without overwhelming the owner. For entrepreneurs, building strong systems from day one can save a lot of headaches down the road.

Final Thoughts: Balancing Business, Family, and Health

Dr. Stewart’s journey is a powerful reminder that success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes hard work, consistent effort, and, most importantly, balance. From managing two jobs while building his business to maintaining his own health through chiropractic care, hydration, and movement, Dr. Stewart emphasizes the importance of preparation in all areas of life.

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, someone looking to improve their health, or simply trying to find balance in a busy world, Dr. Stewart’s story offers valuable insights. The path to success isn’t always easy, but with the right mindset and a commitment to consistent, small actions, anything is possible.

So, what’s your next move? What’s one lesson from Dr. Stewart’s journey that you can apply to your own life? Let’s keep moving forward, one small step at a time.

CONNECT WITH DR STEWART: 

• Website: www.eliteinjuryphysicians.com/
• Instagram: @drdamonstewart
• Facebook: www.eliteinjuryphysicians.com

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