Pearls of Wisdom - Pure & Powerful. Dr. Liz Anderson Peacock

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      At this point in my own life – what I would call the middle of my second act – I can honor and see the role vitalism has played in every aspect. Vitalism attracted me to Chiropractic, basically before I really even knew anything about it. It was just a sense I had as I first experienced Chiropractic myself. Without knowing anything about Chiropractic school or education, I applied based on the experience of my own first adjustments.

      I had traveled a much more traditional educational route. My first degree was in Microbiology at a university where I thought I would likely apply to Veterinarian school. Really having no idea what I truly wanted to pursue, I then moved on to another university for a post-graduate degree, specializing in Somatic Cell Genetics. Obviously this was moving me closer in the direction of traditional medicine, particularly choosing a university with a phenomenal medical school.

      During my years in university, I was really focused on the pursuit of knowledge. I can’t say I was choosing things consciously, or really thinking about the influence my choices would have on the rest of my life. The unique part of my education was my involvement with research of eukaryotic cells, and the impact of various environmental stimuli on their growth rates. The overall research was in the area of cancer research, and if anything, I was really learning more what I didn’t want to do with the rest of my life.

      My research work was almost too many years ago now to count. Yet even at that time, some very bright minds in this field were already aware that the genetic make up of a cell is inducible. This means that you aren’t only a product of your DNA, as several environmental parameters and factors impact DNA synthesis. Little did I realize this essentially addresses Vitalism!

      All of the reading and reference work I was required to do (thanks to a very meticulous and excellent advisor, although I didn’t always think so at the time) was also teaching me a lot about research design. This background distinctly influences my learning to this day. I realize so many articles and much of research are based on a design to make the numbers represent or illustrate what we want them to show. I also learned to cross through conventional subject and topic lines. There are often papers, research, and insights from a totally different field playing a large role in the work of a researcher. Rather than sticking to an assigned discipline, being creative with the approach of research sparks flares of genius.

      Throughout my research experience I was truly more fascinated with the really creative personalities of the researchers and people I met than the actual work. Realizing I didn’t want to be a researcher, yet so far down the traditional medical path, I felt a bit trapped.

      With my infinite wisdom at the time, I decided to take some time off to travel; in other words, ran away. I had no illusion that I would find myself, or my answers, in travel. I just knew I needed a break. Backpacking in Europe didn’t strike me with insight; yet I do know that stepping away was a critical piece in being open to change for moving forward.

      Months later I was back in the same routine. Interestingly, within weeks of being back, I was injured. All of my traditional medical connections and buddies were talking about bed rest and the long- term repercussions of my injury. I called my dad, who had been seeing a Chiropractor for many years. I went to visit his Chiropractor, and within three adjustments I was 70-75 percent improved. Now it wasn’t so much the improvement that made me stop in my tracks. It was that casually the Chiropractor mentioned that with all my school and training I’d make a great Chiropractor. “Hhhmmmm.”

      The Act Of Becoming A Chiropractor

      It was as if the seed was planted. Knowing very little about Chiropractic, my investigation told me there was one college in Canada at that time. I discovered I was within the deadline of applying for the following September, and began to complete my application. I reinvested in my research with a new zeal and target: I needed to be done so I could head to Chiropractic school. Now remember, this was all basically without knowing much at all about this thing called Chiropractic. It just gave me a newfound target and direction.

      Little did I know, it was very difficult to be accepted into this one school in Canada, Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC). I was granted an interview, and my interview was basically welcoming me to the college. Only upon starting that fall did I realize I was ‘accepted’ because of my multiple degrees. This was a phase and time in Chiropractic when it very much focused on validity and credibility within the medical profession. There were several of us in my class with post-graduate degrees. Because of my advanced degree, I was exempt from a number of the early courses in the curriculum.

      Entering into Chiropractic school was a whirlwind beginning with the completion of my Masters Degree, dealing with the critical comments about leaving, and dealing with family wondering what I would do with yet another degree and asking when ‘enough was enough;’ all this strife for just trusting a feeling. It was almost like listening to the whispers in the wind. Not having a logical reason or seeing the full picture and vision, I still trusted. Many would say my pursuit was stubbornness, and with my strong personality that would have been a fair comment.

      The act of trusting and pursuing enabled me to quickly connect with sincerely vital and unique characters. Several were classmates from many parts of the country. Steven Silk, Greg Woolfrey, and Margaret were three individuals that were more vital and free spirited than one could imagine! These three impacted my entire first year, and were instrumental in showing me success comes in many forms and ways. One such ‘full of life’ instructor, Dr. Keith Innes, was involved in our anatomy lab. He challenged many of us to search outside of the traditional schooling for success Principles and growth. He created opportunities for many students at CMCC to train in Gonstead and Motion Palpation at his clinic, and learn skills and expand our horizons.

      Dr. Keith also created an opportunity for me to work at his clinic during the summer, and again part-time throughout my Chiropractic training. The skill sets I learned in billing, report writing, front desk client management, and many other clinical procedures are all attributed to working within a really vital and active clinic.

      Along my path in Chiropractic college I was able to search for and follow greatness. Being exempt from some basic science classes gave me extra time other students did not have. I used my extra time well, following around senior interns in clinic, visiting successful Chiropractors, and learning from truly wonderful and successful role models. Success and greatness leave clues!

      My path in education taught me learning comes in many forms. I learned more outside the traditional classroom. To this day I continue to consider this critical. Our schools are entrusted to educate students formally, and ensure the passing of board exams. With the regulating boards accrediting institutions requiring a certain number of credits for specific course curriculum, there is just not enough hours in the day to teach all the success Principles and key points for creating successful practices and lives. A lot of this responsibility is on the shoulders of graduates. It behooves each of us in the profession to find better ways to support and balance learning both inside the system and outside the system.

      The Vital Act Of Becoming A Mother

      Now obviously I didn’t have enough on my plate. During school I began living with my husband and life partner, David Boynton. Part way through my third year of school and during Dave’s first year of practice we became pregnant. I think this time in my life taught me more about vitality and the capacity of each of us than any other time, juggling clinic, X-ray Rotations, and pregnancy. CMCC had traditional academic years, and internship between third and fourth year during the summer. I realized that summer as an intern was my opportunity to ‘practice’ and treat Clinic like a real practice. My due date was at the beginning of the fourth year, and I set my goals to be finished with my clinic requirements even before I delivered. This way I could focus on the new baby and classes, without the pressures of clinic requirements.

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